Philostorgius

Philostorgius, a notable Church historian of the fourth and fifth centuries, emerged from the town of Borissus in Cappadocia. Born to Eulampia and Carterius in the year three hundred sixty-eight, he relocated to Constantinople at the age of twenty, where he became deeply involved in the theological debates of his time.

Coming from an Arian family, Philostorgius aligned himself with Eunomius of Cyzicus, a prominent figure in Arianism, and he expressed admiration for Eunomius in his writings. His most significant contribution to ecclesiastical literature is his work titled 'Church History' (Ἐκκλησιαστικὴ ἱστορία, Ekklēsiastikē Historia), which chronicles the Arian controversy. This extensive history was composed between the years four hundred twenty-five and four hundred thirty-three and was structured in twelve volumes.

Although the original text of Philostorgius' work has been lost to time, it was once preserved in the library of the ninth-century historian Photius, who created an epitome of it. This epitome, along with references from other authors, such as the writer of the 'Artemii Passio,' allows scholars to reconstruct aspects of Philostorgius' original narrative. The first reconstruction of his work was published in German by Joseph Bidez in nineteen thirteen, with a revised edition released by Friedhelm Winkelmann in nineteen eighty-one, which has since been translated into English by Philip R. Amidon.

In addition to his historical writings, Philostorgius authored a treatise against Porphyry, although this work has unfortunately been completely lost. His contributions to the understanding of early Christian history and the Arian controversy remain significant, despite the challenges of accessing his original texts.