5.1-Events Toward the Beginning of Theodosius’ Reign (378-381) Copyright 2018 Glen L. Thompson This document is provided for personal and educational use. It may not be used for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright holder. Last updated 5/17/18 Socrates Sozomen Theodoret Introduction to book V 5.0.1 Before we begin the fifth book of our history, we must beg those who may read this treatise not to criticize us too hastily. For, after setting out to write a church history, we still intermingle in it ecclesiastical matters, such as an account of the wars which took place during the period under consideration, as could be duly authenticated. 5.0.2 For this we have done for several reasons: first, in order to lay before our readers an exact statement of facts; second, in order that the minds of the readers might not become satiated with the repetition of the contentious disputes of bishops and their insidious designs against one another. 5.0.3 But more especially that it might be made apparent that whenever the affairs of the state were disturbed, those of the Church, as if by some vital union, became disordered also. 5.0.4 Indeed, whoever shall attentively examine the subject will find that the mischiefs of the state and the troubles of the church have been inseparably connected. For he will perceive that they have either arisen together or immediately succeeded one another. Sometimes the affairs of the Church come first in order; then commotions in the state follow, and sometimes the reverse. 5.0.5 Thus, I cannot believe this invariable interchange is merely fortuitous, but I am persuaded that it proceeds from our iniquities and that these evils are inflicted upon us as merited chastisements, if indeed as the apostle truly says, ‘Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.’ 5.0.6 For this reason we have interwoven many affairs of the state with our ecclesiastical history. 706 Socrates Sozomen Theodoret 5.0.7 Of the wars carried on during the reign of Constantine we have made no mention, having found no account of them that could be depended upon because of their corruption. 5.0.8 But of subsequent events, as much information as we could gather from those still living in the order of their occurrence, we have passed in rapid review. 5.0.9 We have continually included the emperors in these historical details because, from the time they began to profess the Christian religion, the affairs of the Church have depended on them, so that even the greatest Synods have been, and still are, convened by their appointment. 5.0.10 Finally, we have particularly noticed the Arian heresy because it has so greatly disquieted the churches. Let these remarks be considered sufficient in the way of preface. We shall now proceed with our history. Late 378 - Citizens defend Constantinople from Goth’s attack 5.1.1 After the Emperor Valens had thus lost his life, in 7.1.1 Such was the fate of Valens. The barbarians, flushed a manner which has never been satisfactorily confirmed, with victory, overran Thrace and advanced to the gates of the barbarians again approached the very walls of Constantinople. Constantinople and laid waste the suburbs on every side of it. 5.1.2 When this happened the people became indignant ,armed themselves with whatever weapons they could lay hands on, and sallied forth of their own accord against the enemy. 5.1.3 The empress Dominica caused the same pay to be 7.1.2 It is reported that Dominica, wife of Valens, distributed out of the imperial treasury to such as furnished money out of the public treasury, and some of the volunteered to go out on this service, as was usually people, after hastily arming themselves, attacked the allowed to soldiers. barbarians and drove them from the city. 5.1.5 In this way the people fought at this time, and the barbarians retreated to a great distance from the city. 5.1.4 A few Saracens also assisted the citizens, for they 7.1.1b In this emergency a few of the allied Saracens sent were allies who had been sent by Mavia their queen: the by Mavia, together with many of the populace, were of latter we have already mentioned. great service. The Piety of Gratian 5.1.1 How the Lord God is long suffering towards those who rage against him and chastises those who abuse his patience is plainly taught by the acts and by 707 Socrates Sozomen Theodoret the fate of Valens. For the loving Lord uses mercy and justice like weights and scales. Whenever he sees any one by the greatness of his errors over-stepping the bounds of loving kindness by just punishment He hinders him from being carried to further extremes. Now Gratian, the son of Valentinian, and nephew of Valens, acquired the whole Roman Empire. 5.1.2 He had already assumed the scepter of Europe on the death of his father, in whose life-time he had shared the throne. On the death of Valens without issue he acquired in addition Asia and the portions of Libya. Gratian recalls orthodox bishops and expels heretics 5.2.1 Gratian, who was now in possession of the 7.1.3 Gratian, who at this period reigned conjointly with 5.2.1 The emperor at once gave plain indications of his empire, together with Valentinian the younger, his brother over the whole Roman Empire, disapproved of adherence to true religion and offered the first fruits of condemned the cruel policy of his uncle Valens towards the late persecution that had been carried on to check the his kingdom to the Lord of all by publishing an edict the [orthodox] Christians and recalled those whom he diversity in religious creeds. He recalled all those who had commanding the exiled shepherds to return and to be had sent into exile. He moreover enacted that people of been banished on account of their religion. He also enacted restored to their flocks. He also ordered the sacred all sects, without distinction, might securely assemble a law by which it was decreed that every individual should buildings to be delivered to congregations adopting together in their churches. He also commanded that only be freely permitted the exercise of his own religion and communion with Damasus. the Eunomians, Photinians, and Manichaeans should be should be allowed to hold assemblies, with the exception of excluded from the churches. the Manichaeans and the followers of Photinus and Eunomius. 5.2.2 This Damasus, the successor of Liberius in the see of Rome, was a man of most praiseworthy life and by his own choice alike in word and deed a champion of Apostolic doctrines. 5.2.3 To put his edict in force Gratian sent Sapor the general, a very famous character at that time, with orders to expel the preachers of the blasphemies of Arius like wild beasts from the sacred folds and to effect the restoration of the excellent shepherds to God’s flocks. In every instance this was effected without dispute, except in Antioch, the Eastern capital, where a quarrel was kindled which I shall proceed to describe. 379 - Theodosius I made emperor 5.2.2 Being also sensible of the languishing condition 7.2.1 On reflecting that, while it was indispensably 5.5.1 Now at this time Theodosius, because of both the of the Roman empire and of the growing power of the essential to stop the incursions of the barbarians of the Ister splendor of his ancestry and his own courage, was a man barbarians, and perceiving that the state was in need of a in Illyria and Thrace, his presence was equally necessary in of high repute. For this reason, being from time to time brave and prudent man, he took Theodosius as his Gaul to repel the inroads of the Alemanni, Gratian stricken by the envy of his rivals, he was living in Spain, 708 Socrates Sozomen Theodoret colleague in the sovereign power. Theodosius was associated Theodosius with himself at Sirmich in the where he had been born and brought up. The emperor, descended from a noble family in Spain and had acquired government of the empire. Theodosius belonged to an was at a loss what measures to take now that the so distinguished a celebrity for his prowess in the wars illustrious family of the Pyrenees in Iberia and had acquired barbarians, puffed up by their victory, both were and that he was universally considered worthy of imperial so much renown in war that before he was raised to the seemed well-nigh invincible. He formed the idea that a dignity, even before Gratian’s election of him. imperial power, he was universally considered capable of way out of his difficulties would be found in the 5.2.3 Having therefore proclaimed him emperor at guiding the reins of the empire. appointment of Theodosius to the supreme command. Sirmium a city of Illyricum in the consulate of Ausonius and Olybrius, on the 16th of January, he divided with him the care of managing the war against the barbarians. Victories over barbarians 5.6.2a About the same time the emperors Gratian and 7.4.1 As Gaul was about this period infested by the 5.5.2a He therefore lost no time in sending for him Theodosius each obtained a victory over the barbarians.