Book IV

Ecclesiastical History · Socrates Scholasticus

1. After Jovian's Death, Valentinian is proclaimed Emperor, and takes his Brother Valens as Colleague in the Empire; Valentinian holds the Orthodox Faith, but Valens is an Arian.
2. Valentinian goes into the West; Valens remains at Constantinople, and grants the Request of the Macedonians to hold a Synod, but persecutes the Adherents of the 'Homoousion.'
3. While Valens persecutes the Orthodox Christians in the East, a Usurper arises at Constantinople named Procopius: and at the Same Time an Earthquake and Inundation take Place and injure Several Cities.
4. The Macedonians hold a Synod at Lampsacus, during a Period of Both Secular and Ecclesiastical Agitation; and after confirming the Antiochian Creed, and anathematizing that promulgated at Ariminum, they again ratify the Deposition of Acacius and Eudoxius.
5. Engagement between Valens and Procopius near Nacolia in Phrygia; after which the Usurper is betrayed by his Chief Officers, and with them put to Death.
6. After the Death of Procopius Valens constrains those who composed the Synod, and All Christians, to profess Arianism.
7. Eunomius supersedes Eleusius the Macedonian in the See of Cyzicus, His Origin and Imitation of Aëtius, whose Amanuensis he had been.
8. Of the Oracle found inscribed an a Stone, when the Walls of Chalcedon were demolished by Order of the Emperor Valens.
9. Valens persecutes the Novatians, because they accepted the Orthodox Faith.
10. Birth of Valentinian the Younger.
11. Hail of Extraordinary Size; and Earthquakes in Bithynia and the Hellespont.
12. The Macedonians, pressed by the Emperor's Violence toward them, send a Deputation to Liberius Bishop of Rome, and subscribe the Nicene Creed.
13. Eunomius separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is raised at Alexandria by Eudoxius, and Athanasius flees into Voluntary Exile again, but in Consequence of the Clamors of the People the Emperor recalls and re-establishes him in his See.
14. The Arians ordain Demophilus after the Death of Eudoxius at Constantinople; but the Orthodox Party constitute Evagrius his Successor.
15. The Emperor banishes Evagrius and Eustathius. The Arians persecute the Orthodox.
16. Certain Presbyters burnt in a Ship by Order of Valens. Famine in Phrygia.
17. The Emperor Valens, while at Antioch, again persecutes the Adherents of the 'Homoousion.'
18. Events at Edessa: Constancy of the Devout Citizens, and Courage of a Pious Woman.
19. Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of their Names, in Consequence of a Heathen Prediction.
20. Death of Athanasius, and Elevation of Peter to His See.
21. The Arians are allowed by the Emperor to imprison Peter and to set Lucius over the See of Alexandria.
22. Silence of Sabinus on the Misdeeds of the Arians; Flight of Peter to Rome; Massacre of the Solitaries at the Instigation of the Arians.
23. The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who devoted themselves to a Solitary Life.
24. Assault upon the Monks, and Banishment of their Superiors, who exhibit Miraculous Power.
25. Of Didymus the Blind Man.
26. Of Basil of Cæsarea, and Gregory of Nazianzus.
27. Of Gregory Thaumaturgus (the Wonder-Worker).
28. Of Novatus and his Followers. The Novatians of Phrygia alter the Time of keeping Easter, following Jewish Usage.
29. Damasus ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and Loss of Life caused by the Rivalry of Ursinus.
30. Dissension about a Successor to Auxentius, Bishop of Milan. Ambrose, Governor of the Province, going to appease the Tumult, is by General Consent and with the Approval of the Emperor Valentinian elected to the Bishopric of that Church.
31. Death of Valentinian.
32. The Emperor Valens, appeased by the Oration of Themistius the Philosopher, abates his Persecution of the Christians.
33. The Goths, under the Reign of Valens, embrace Christianity.
34. Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which caused the Emperor's Overthrow, and eventually the Ruin of the Roman Empire.
35. Abatement of Persecution against the Christians because of the War with the Goths.
36. The Saracens, under Mavia their Queen, embrace Christianity; and Moses, a Pious Monk, is consecrated their Bishop.
37. After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians expel Lucius, and restore Peter, who had come with Letters from Damasus Bishop of Rome.
38. The Emperor Valens is ridiculed by the People on Account of the Goths; undertakes an Expedition against them and is slain in an Engagement near Adrianople.