There probably was not in the whole church during the first decade of the fourth century, a more learned Christian than Eusebius of Caesarea. Phrases such as the one quoted at the beginning of this chapter, however, have led many historians to claim that Eusebius capitulated to imperial power. In the opinion of these historians, Eusebius was a man of weak character who, when surrounded by the pomp of the Empire, bowed before her, and stood to serve the emperor s interests rather than those of Jesus Christ. But before venturing to make this judgment it is convenient for us to pause to recount the life and work of this wise Christian, so as to better understand his reactions and attitudes. Eusebius was born around the year 260, probably in Palestine, where he spent most of his early years. He is known as Eusebius of Caesarea because he was bishop of this city and because he was educated in it, but the exact place of his birth is unknown to us. We also do not have reliable information about your family. It is not even possible to say whether his parents were Christian or not — and the scholars who have tried to research on this subject have found arguments in both directions.
