The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.
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Title
The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.
Author
Eusebius, of Caesarea, Bishop of Caesarea, ca. 260-ca. 340.
Publication
Cambridge :: Printed by John Hayes ... for Han. Sawbridge ...,
1683.
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Subject terms
Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600.
Persecution -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A38749.0001.001
Cite this Item
"The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A38749.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 1, 2024.
THE Actions we have already mentioned, were egregiously performed by Anastasius in a manner besitting the Imperial Majesty. But the same Emperour did some things in no wise answerable to those [we have related.] For he invented that termed a 1.2The Chrysotelia, and b 1.3 rated the expence of the Militia at a very high value, to the great dammage c 1.4 of the Provincials. Besides, d 1.5 he took away the Exaction of the Tri∣butes
descriptionPage 475
from the Courts [of the Cities,] and in∣stituted those termed e 1.6The Vindices in every City, f 1.7 by the inducement (as 'tis said,) of Marinus the Syrian, who administred the su∣preamest dignity, that [Grand Officer who bore that place] the Ancients termed The Praefectus Praetorio. Whence it hapned, that the Tributes were both extreamly lessened, and the beauty also of the Cities decayed. For anciently, the noblest personages were enrolled in the Albs [or, Registers] of [all] Cities, and each City had and appointed those [persons who were registred] in * 1.8The Cu∣ria, instead of a certain Senate.
What The Chrysotelia should be, is hard to guess, in regard our Evagrius, contenting himself in setting down the bare name, has omitted to explain the thing it self; nor has any other of the Ancient Writers, that I know of, made mention of this thing. But, as much as I am able to attain by conjecture, I do think the Chrysotelia to have been nothing else, but a paying of Gold, which Anastasius first ordered to be exacted from the Provincialls in stead of the Tributary Function. For the old Romans were wont to bring in the Tributes in the very Species themselves, to wit, in Wheat, Barley, Wine, and Oyl: out of which, being carried together into the publick Granaries, the Military and Civil Annona was distri∣buted. Moreover, by the Sanctions of the Emperours it had been forbidden, that the Collectors should exact Gold of the Provin∣cials instead of The Species [to wit, Wheat, Barley, &c.] as may be seen in the fourth and fifth Law of the Theodosian Code, Tit. Tributa in ipsis speciebus inferri. But Anastasius was the first who gave order, that instead of The Species, money should be exacted of the Provincialls. Now, I gather this, partly from the word Chrysotelia it self, whereby is signified a paying of Gold instead of Tribute; and partly from that which Evagrius speaks in this whole chapter concerning The Tributary Function, as we shall see after∣wards. Vales.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Johannes Langus has rendred this place very well, in this manner: Et populos suos Vecti∣gales bellicis impensis per nundinationem divenditis supra modum gra∣vavit, And he over-much burthened his people that payed Tribute, the Military Expences being by a Market made Sale of. Musculus tran∣slates it thus: Et Militares sumptus one rosissime contra consuetas contributiones divendidit, and in a most burdensome manner made sale of the Military Expences contrary to the usuall contributions. But, Christophorson renders it worst of all, in this manner: Et Stipendia Militaria, unà cum exactionibus, non sine gravissimo reipublicae detri∣mento divendidit, And sold the Military Stipends, together with the exactions▪ not without the heaviest detriment to the Re-publick. But, to the end we may fully understand the thing it self, we will diligently weigh each word. Evagrius therefore says, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. That word signifies in Latine, eum qui vendidi••, him that hath sold. Suidas also observes, that a fraudulent selling, or sale, is un∣derstood by this word. Now, the selling of the Military Expence may be meant in a twofold manner. For, either Anastasius Farmed out the Military Expence to Publicans, in such manner as our Kings are wont to do, who usually let out the allowance of the Military Annona, [that is, the Souldiers Provisions,] of Cloths, and other things of that nature, to Publicans and Farmers. Or else, that Sale was no other thing than an Adaeration, [or, setting a money-value upon these Expences:] in such a manner as if Anastasius should have Rated at a most burthensome value the Military Expence, to wit, the Clothes, Arms, Forrage, &c; which were wont to be brought in by the Provincialls: which thing redounded to the loss of the Pro∣vincialls, who instead of The Species themselves were forced to pay a price. And this latter sesse I have followed in my Rendition. Now, by these words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Evagrius means not only the Military Stipends, [or, Souldiers pay,] as Christophorson thought; but, all manner of charge belonging to the Militia, to wit, Clothes, Arms, and Provisions. Justinian makes frequent use of this word in his thirteenth Edict, where he distinguishes also between 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And he informs us, that the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were the Annonae, and the Capita [or, Forrage for the Beasts] which were paid to the Magistrates in Gold: but, of what sort the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were, he explains not; only he intimates, that the values of them also were exacted from the Provincialls; where he speaks concerning The Dux of Libya. Vales.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were, Musculus and Chri∣stophorson understood not. The provincialls who paid Tribute, are so termed The Old Glosses explain 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, thus, Tributarius, a person obnoxious to the paying of Tribute;〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Tributum, Tribute. So Evagrius (book 5. chap. 13,) calls the Tributaries〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Amongst the Burthens of the Decuriones, the Exactione [or, Collection] of the Tributes was not the least. For they out of their own body made Susceptores [Takers, or Receivers,] of The Annonae, and Praepositi [or, Overseers] of The Mansions and Granaries, as 'tis evident from the Theodosian Code, in The Title de Decurionibus, and in The Titles de Susceptoribus. Which yet is not so to be understood, as if only the Decurions might Collect the Fiscall Tributes. For, both the Officialls of the Praefecti Praetorio, and likewise the Officialls of the Presidents, were wont to Collect the Tributes from the Pro∣vincials; as Amm. Marcellinus informs us, book. 17, in these words. Denique inusitato exemplo, id petendo Caesar Impetravera•• a Prae∣fecto, &c. In fine by an unusuall Example, Caesar by entreaty had obtained that of the Praefect, that the dispose of the second Belgica, which was oppressed with manifold mischiefes, might be committed to him; to wit, on that condition, that neither the Official of a Prefect, nor of a President, should urge any one to pay. [In Valesius's Edition of Amm. Marcellinus, pag. 90, where this passage occurs; it is printed thus: ......... inique. Inusitato Exemplo, &c; which imperfection in Marcellinus's Copy he does, I suppose, supply here by altering the punctation, and making it, Denique inusitato, &c.] The Emperour Anastasius wholly took away from the Decurions the exaction of the Tributes, which they in part took care of. Hence 'tis, that in Justinian's thirteenth Edict, where he treats concerning the Exaction of the Tributes of Egypt, he makes no mention of the Decurions; but only names the Scriniarii and the Tractatores of the Praetorian Praefecture, who Collected the Fiscall Tributes from the Payers, and brought them to the Double Table, or Chest, of the Praetorian Praefecture, the one Private, the other Generall. Which thing was, I suppose, instituted by Anastasius, who had De∣creed, that the Tributes should be brought in▪ not in their very Species, but in Gold, as I have remarked above. Now, why Ana∣stasius should institute that, this reason may be assigned. The Em∣perour Anastasius, in regard he was most provident in mannaging the publick affairs, (as Procopius attests,) was willing rather to buy Peace of the Barbarians with Gold, than to engage with them in a doubtfull War. Which when he had succeeded in according to his desire, he lessened the number of the Milice, in regard he had no need of them, because the Barbarians, appeased with Gold, would keep the Peace. Therefore Suidas in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, says that the Provinces of the Roman Empire, were in his Times almost empty of Souldiers. Whereas therefore the Roman Legions had been re∣duced to so small a number, there was no necessity of carrying so many Species Annonariae [that is, Wheat, Barly, &c.] into the pub∣lick Granaries. Wherefore Anastasius judged it to be better, to ex∣act money from the Provincialls, wherewith he might redeem Peace from the Barbarians. Vales.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. There is mention of these Vin∣dices in Ju∣stinians Novells, and in the thirteenth Edict. The words of the Author of the A∣lexandrian Chronicle pag. 785, are these: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: which his translator hath rendred thus: inter quos Antipater Antiochiae Vindex seu Judex occubuit, amongst whom was slain Antipater the Vindex or Judge of A••••ioch. But the Vindices were not Judges, but persons set over the Collection of the Tributes, as Justinian informs us, in Novell 124, and 125. Where he joyns them with the Curiales, Officiales, Canonicarii, and Exactours of the Tributes. And the same is confirmed by this place of Evagrius. For he says, that the Emperour Anastasius took the Exaction of the Tributes from the Curiales, and translated it to those Vindices which himself had instituted. The Vindices therefore exacted the Tributes from the Pro∣vincialls. The same Justinian in his thirteenth Edict says, that one Pota∣mo••, in the times of Anastasius, under pretence of Vindex of Alexandria, was set over the exaction of the Tributes. For so I render these words; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Whence also we learn that the Vindex of Alex∣andria was set over the exaction 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; that was a Tax for the Exportation of Tyles and other wares which were exported out of the City Alexandria. Further, out of this money which the Vindex had Col∣lected, he was compelled to allow wood to heat the publick Baths, and to fulfill other solemn duties, as the same Justinian informs us in the above mentioned Edict. From which passages therein, some persons might be able to Collect, that there was only one Vindex in every City. 'Tis further to be noted, that that Constitution of Ana∣stasius, wherein the Exaction of the Tributes •• said to have been taken from the Curiales, was in no wise observed by the succeeding Empe∣rours. 'Tis certain, Justinian, in the forementioned Novells▪ does expresly name the Curiales amongst those who at their own peril ex∣acted and undertook the Tributes. Vales.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Emperour Justinian calls this person Marianus, in his thirteenth Edict, in these words: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Your glorious Magnificence hath found in a certain paper in the times of the Emperour Anastasius of pious memory, then when Marianus of glorious memory administred the publick affairs under him▪ But, Marcelli∣nus in his Chronicon terms him Marinus; Indictione V. [says he Paulo & Musciano Coss. die dominico, dum Jubente Anastasio Caesar••, per Marinum∣per{que} Platonem in Ecclesiae pulpi••o consistentes, in Hymnum Trinitatis Dei∣passianorum quaternitas additur▪ &c. Plato was indeed Praefect of the City Constantinople, as Victor Thunonensis informs us in His Chronicon: but Marinus was Praefectus praetorio; wherefore he is set before Plato by Mar∣cellinus. Further, Cedrenus and Zonaras, whilst they tell the same thing with Marcellinus and Victor, mention not the names of Marinus and Pla∣to, but do express the dignity of each of them, stiling the one of them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the other 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ Where, by the term 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they mean the Praefectus Praetorio, because the Praefectus Praetorio manna∣ged the accounts of the Tributes. But, we must not omit what Zona∣ras relates, to wit, that by this Marianus the Praefect (for so he calls him) Vitalianus the Tyrant was vanquished in a Sea-fight, by the help of certain Burning-glasses, which had been framed by Proclus the Philosopher. From which words some might conjecture, that this was the Marinus Syrus Schollar to Proclus the Philosoper. Indeed, Nicephorus▪ also, in the last Chapter of his fifteenth Book, calls this Ma∣rinus, a Syrian. But, I am of opinion, that that Marinus Syrus, who was Praefectus Praetorio in Anastasius's times, must be distin∣guished from Marinus Syrus the Philosopher, who wrote Proclus's Life. For this Marinus last mentioned was by Religion a Pagan, as we learn from an old Epigram which occurs in the A••thologi••. But, the former Marinus was a Christian, as 'tis manifest from Mar∣cellinus. Vales.