CHAP. XXVII. Concerning Philippus the Presbyter, who was born at Side.
PHilippus was by Country a Sidensian. Side is a City of Pamphylia, at which Troilus the Sophista had his originall extract; of his own relation to whom Philippus boasted. Whilest he was a Deacon, he had had fre∣quent converse with * 1.1 Bishop Johannes. He was a very laborious and painfull student, and had made a Collection of many books, and those of all sorts. He imitated the Asian Style, and wrote many Books. [For, he confuted the Emperour Julian's Pieces, and compiled a Chri∣stian History, which he divided into six and thirty Books. Each Book contained many Tomes, in so much that in all they were near a thousand. The † 1.2 Contents of each Tome equalled the Tome it self in bigness. This work he entitled not an Ecclesiastick, but a Christian History. In it he heaped together variety of Learning, being de∣sirous to shew, that he was not unskilled in Phi∣losophick Literature. For which reason, he makes frequent mention therein of Geometricall, Astronomicall, Arithmeticall, and Musicall * 1.3 The∣orems. He also describes Islands, Mountains, Trees, and severall other things not very mo∣mentous. Upon which account he has made it a loose work: and therefore hath (in my judg∣ment) rendred it useless both to the ignorant, and to the Learned also. For, the ignorant are unable to inspect the heighth and grandeur of his Stile. And those that are well versed in Learning nauseate his insipid repetition of words. But, let every one pass a judgment upon those Books according to his own liking. I only say this, that the times wherein affairs have been transacted are confounded by him. For when he has mentioned the times of the Emperour Theodosius, he runs back to those of Athanasius the Bishop. And this he does very frequently. Thus much concerning Philippus. 'Tis requisite that we should now declare what hapned in Si∣sinnius's time.