Overview
This volume is a modern translation from Latin of three texts by Constantine, by reputation the earliest Christian Emperor of Rome, making available important sources for the study of early fourth-century history and Christianity. The book includes extensive introductory discussion of the texts, but before approaching them the translator reflects on the usage of the word ""Christian"" and its application to such a man as Constantine. In the 26 chapters of ""Oration to the Saints"", Constantine first puts the case for monotheism, then extols the voluntary abasement of the Son of God, and finally declares his personal adherence to the Saviour. The translator defends the ""Oration"" as a genuine work of Constantine, whereas the other two pieces are presented as forgeries, which are nevertheless of great interest and value for historians and classicists. The legend of the discovery (or ""invention"" in Latin) of the True Cross by the empress Helena, mother of Constantine, following her conversion to Christianity is presented in translations of two variant accounts. The third text, generally also known as the ""Donation of Constantine"", concerns Constantine's supposed edict to Pope Silvester transferring lands to the papacy.
Full Product Details
Author: Mark Edwards (Christ Church, University of Oxford (United Kingdom))
Publisher: Liverpool University Press
Imprint: Liverpool University Press
Volume: 39
Dimensions:
Width: 14.70cm
, Height: 1.00cm
, Length: 21.00cm
Weight: 0.260kg
ISBN: 9780853236481
ISBN 10: 0853236488
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 01 March 2003
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
The Translated Texts for Historians series has rendered great service to scholarship in enabling students of ancient and medieval history to broaden their studies by reading important sources in English. The publication of these valuable texts relating to Constantine is to be welcomed unreservedly. The editor has produced three admirable annotated translations which should stimulate those who read them to explore further the possibilities of advanced research. Ecclesiastical History
The Translated Texts for Historians series has rendered great service to scholarship in enabling students of ancient and medieval history to broaden their studies by reading important sources in English. The publication of these valuable texts relating to Constantine is to be welcomed unreservedly. The editor has produced three admirable annotated translations which should stimulate those who read them to explore further the possibilities of advanced research. Ecclesiastical History
Author Information
MARK EDWARDS is Tutor in Theology and University Lecturer in Patristics in the University of Oxford; he is a Fellow of Christ Church. He is General Editor of a series on Philosophy and Theology in Late Antiquity for Ashgate, for which he has written Origen Against Plato. For OUP he has edited Portraits (with S. R. F. Swain) and Apologetics in the Roman Empire (with M. D. Goodman and S. R. F. Price). Dr Edwards is the translator of two earlier volumes of Translated Text for Historians (LUP): Optatus: Against the Donatists and Neoplatonic Saints.
