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Ecclesiastical History — Historical footnotes

Chapter XVI.—Of Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.; original source section: Chapter 16

Complete historical editorial footnotes. These notes retain the original edition’s wording; individual note authors are unspecified.

English translation and editorial credits: Blomfield Jackson.

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1892 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

Arcadius was declared Augustus early in 383 (Clinton Fast. Rome, I. p. 504). Theodosius issued his edict against the heretics in September of same year. Sozomen (7. 6) tells the story of an anonymous old man, priest of an obscure city, simple and unworldly; “this,” remarks Bishop Lightfoot (Dic. Christ. Biog. i. 106), “is as unlike Amphilochius as it can possibly be.”

Editorial footnote · Ecclesiastical History, Chapter XVI.—Of Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.; original source section: Chapter 16, editorial note cite_note-1 · Original source

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Then the emperor understood the bishop’s drift, and admired both what he had done and what he had said. Without further delay he put out an edict forbidding the congregations of heretics.

1892 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

“Irasci sane rebus indignis, sed flecti cito.” Aur. Vict. xlviii.

Editorial footnote · Ecclesiastical History, Chapter XVI.—Of Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.; original source section: Chapter 16, editorial note cite_note-3 · Original source

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Then he has at his disposal the bodily passions to help the wiles which he lays against the soul. The mind alone, if it keep awake, gets the better of him, frustrating the assault of his devices by its inclination to what is Divine. Now, since this admirable emperor had his share of human nature, and was not free from its emotions, his righteous anger passed the bounds of moderation, and caused the perpetration of a savage and lawless deed. I must tell this story for the sake of those into whose hands it will fall; it does not, indeed, only involve blame of the admirable emperor, but so redounds to his credit as to deserve to be remembered.