§3. Letters and
Edicts.
It is hard to separate between
letters, edicts, and laws. A substantial autocrat, the form of address
was much the same, and the force. The extant letters are quite
numerous, and those of which we have definite or general mention, many.
He seems to have been a most industrious letter-writer. Of the extant
letters a majority are undoubtedly or probably genuine. Some, however,
need more critical study than seems to have been given to them.3048
| 3048 There is of course more or less critical treatment of various
letters in critical works on Donatism or Arianism or other special
topics. Since writing the above, the exceedingly interesting analysis
of sources for early Donatist history, by Seeck, in Briegers’
Ztschr. f. Kirchenges., 1889, has been examined. He has, like
Völter and Deutsch before him, admirable critical studies of
certain letters. But a systematic critical study of the Constantinian
letters as a whole seem to be still lacking. |
Following is the roughly chronological
list, the works being grouped by years. The dating is taken mainly
from the
Migne edition, Ceillier, and Valesius with slight original study. The
descriptions are of course from the documents themselves.
1. (313 a.d.) Edict of Constantine and Licinius for the
restoration of the Church. In Lact. De M. P. c. 48, and also
in Euseb. H. E. 10. 5 (Op. Const. ed. Migne, 105–110). The
second edict of toleration. The first edict (Euseb. 8. 17; Lact. De
M. P. 34) can hardly be classed among the “writings” of
Constantine. This famous second edict grants full religious liberty to
the Christians and restoration of their property. Compare section on
Acts of Toleration in Wordworth’s
Constantinus.
2. (313.) First letter of
Constantine and Licinius to Anulinus. In Euseb. H. E. 10. 5
(Op. Const. ed. Migne, 479–480). Restores goods to the Catholic
Christians; written about the same time as the edict of toleration,
according to Ceillier.
3. (313.) Second Letter of
Constantine to Anulinus. In Euseb. H. E. 10. 7 (Op. Const.
481–2). Ordering that the Catholic clergy be free from public
service, that they might not be disturbed in their worship of
God.
4. (313.) Letter of
Constantine to Cæcilianus. In Euseb. H. E. 10. 6 (Op.
Const. 481–4). Presents money—three thousand purses
(folles)—to be distributed according to direction of
Hosius.
5. (313.) Letter of
Constantine to Melchiades (or Miltiades). In Euseb. H. E.
10. 5 (Op. Const. 477- ). Having received various letters from Anulinus
regarding Cæcilian and the Donatists, he summons a council at Rome
to consider the matter.
6. (314.) Letter of
Constantine to Ablavius (or Ælafius). In Optat. Mon.
vet. p. 283–4 (Op. Const. 483–6). The result of the
council at Rome not having proved final, he summons the Council of
Arles.
7. (314.) Letter of
Constantine to Chrestus (Crescentius), bishop of Syracuse. In
Euseb. H. E. 10. 5 (Op. Const. 485–8). Invites to the
Council of Arles.
8. (314.) Letter of
Constantine to the Bishops after the Council of Arles. In Optat.
Mon. vet. p. 287–8 (Op. Const. 487–90). Contains
gratulations, reprobations of obstinate schismatists, and exhortations
to patience with such obstinateness. It is full of religious
expressions, and if genuine, is a most interesting exhibition of
Constantine’s religious position at this time, but it looks
suspicious, and probably is not genuine.
9. (314) Letter of
Constantine and Licinius to Probianus, the Proconsul of Africa. In
Augustine, Ep. 88 (ed. Migne 33 [1865] 3045), and also in
Contr. Cresc. (43 [1861] 540, also in Op. Const. and tr. Engl.
in Schaff, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 1, p. 370). Orders
that the Donatist Ingentius be brought to his court. One text adds
Maximianus or Maximus in place of Maximus as epithet of
Constantine.
10. (314 or 315.) Letter of
Constantine to the Donatist Bishops. In Optat. Mon. vet. p.
290 (Op. Const. ed. Migne [1844] 490). As the Donatists were not yet
satisfied, he summons them to meet Cæcilian, and promises if they
convict him in one particular, it shall be as if in all.
11. (315.) Letter of
Constantine to Celsus. In Optat. Mon. vet p. 291 (Op. Const.
489–90). In reply to letter mentioning disturbances of the
Donatists, he hints that he expects to go shortly to Africa and settle
things summarily.
12. (315.) Fragment of a
Letter of Constantine to Eumalius Vicarius. In Augustine’s
Contr. Crest. 3. 71 (ed. Migne 43 [1861] 541; also Op. Const.
491–2). An extract of six lines, in which he says Cæcilianus
was entirely innocent.
13. (316 or 317.) Letter of
Constantine to the bishops and people of Africa. Optat. Mon.
vet. p. 294 (Op. Const. 491–2). He has tried every way to
settle the Donatist disturbances in vain, and now leaves them to God
and advises patience.
14. (323.) First Letter of
Constantine to Eusebius. In Euseb. V. C. 2. 46; Theodoret,
1. 14; Socr. 1. 9 (Op. Const. 491–4). Empowers the repairing,
enlarging of old, and building of new churches.
15. (323 a.d.) Law of Constantine
respecting piety toward God and the Christian Religion (Ad prov.
Pal.). In Euseb. V. C. 2. 24–42; abstr. in Soz. 1. 8 (Op.
Const. 253–282). This long edict, addressed to the inhabitants of
Palestine, contains an exposition of the prosperity which attends the
righteous and the adversity which comes to the wicked, followed by
edict for the restitution of confiscated property, the recall of
exiles, and various other rectifications of injustices. This is the
copy, “or letter,” sent to the heathen population of the
empire.
16. (324.)
Constantine’s edict to the people of the eastern provinces
concerning the error of polytheism, &c. (Ad. prov. Or). In
Euseb. V. C. 48– . This letter, written in Latin and
translated by Eusebius, begins with “some general remarks on
virtue and vice,” touches on the persecutions and the fate of the
persecutors, expresses the wish that all would become Christians,
praises God, and exhorts concord.
17. (323 or 324.) Letter of
Constantine to Alexander the Bishop and Arius the Presbyter. In
Euseb. V. C. 2. 64–72; Gelas. 2. 4; Socr. 1. 7 (Op. Const.
493–502). Expresses his desire for peace, his hope that they
might have helped him in the Donatist troubles, his distress at finding
that they, too, were in a broil, his opinion that the matters under
discussion are of little moment, and what he thinks they are. He
exhorts to unanimity, repeats his opinion that the matters are of
little moment, mentions his “copious and constant tears,”
and finally gets through.
18. (324–5.) Letter to
Porphyrius (Optatian). In Migne, Patrol. Lat. 19 [1846]
393–394 and in various editions of Optatian. This letter to
Porphyrius or Optatian was on the occasion of the sending of a poem by
the latter for his vicennalia. It expresses his pleasure and his
disposition to encourage the cultivation of belles lettres.
Compare note on Optatian under sources.
19. (325.) Letter of
Constantine the King, summoning the bishops to Nicæa. In
Cowper, Syriac Misc., Lond. 1841, p. 5–6. This is
translated from a Syriac ms. in the British
Museum, written in 501. Gives as reason for the choice of Nicæa
the convenience for the European bishops and “the excellent
temperature of the air.” This, if genuine, is the letter
mentioned by Eusebius, V. C., but it looks
suspicious.
20. (325.) Letter of
Constantine to the churches after the Council of Nicæa. In
Euseb. V. C. 3. 17–20; Socr. 1. 9 (Op. Const.
501–506). Dwells on the harmonious result, especially respecting
the Easter controversy, and commends to the bishops to observe what the
Council has decreed.
21. (325.) Letter of
Constantine to the church of Alexandria. In Socr. 1. 9 (Op. Const.
507–510). Expresses great horror of the blasphemy of Arius, and
admiration for the wisdom of the more than three hundred bishops who
condemned him.
22. (325.) Letter of
Constantine to Arius and the Arians. In “Conc. 2. 269.”
A long and rather railing address against Arius.
23. (325.) Letter of
Constantine to the churches. In Socr. H. E. 1. 9. A
translation of a Syriac translation of this, written in 501, in Cowper,
Syriac Misc., Lond. 1861, p. 6–7. Against Arius and the
Porphyrians, and threatens that any one who conceals a work of Arius
shall be punished with death.
24. (325.) Letter of
Constantine to the Nicomedians against Eusebius and Theognis. In
Gelas. 3. 2; Theodoret, 1. 20; Soz. 1. 21 (Op. Const. 519–524). A
theological discussion partly of the relation of Father and Son, and an
attack on Eusebius of Nicomedia.
25. (325.) Letter to
Theodotus. In Gelas. 3. 3 (Op. Const. 523–524). Counsels him
to take warning by what has happened to Eusebius (of Nicomedia) and
Theognis, i.e. banishment, and get rid of such evil influence, if any,
as they may have had on him.
26. (325.) Letter of
Constantine to Macarius. In Euseb. V. C. 3. 30–32;
Theodoret, 1. 16. Directs the erection of a peculiarly magnificent
church at the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
27. (330.) Letter of
Constantine to the Numidian Bishops. In Optat. Mon. vet. p.
295 (Op. Const. 531–532). Concerns a church taken possession of
by schismatists.
28. (332.) Letter of
Constantine to the Antiochians. In Euseb. V. C. 3. 60 (Op.
Const. 533- ). Exhorts them not to persist in their effort to call
Eusebius from Cæsarea to Antioch.
29. (332 a.d.) Letter of Constantine
to the Synod of Tyre deprecating the removal of Eusebius from
Cæsarea. In Euseb. V. C. 362; Theodoret, 1. 27 (Op.
Const. 543–546).
30. (332.) Second Letter of
Constantine to Eusebius. In Euseb. V. C. 3. 61 (Op. Const.
537–540). Commends Eusebius for having declined the call to
Antioch.
31. (332.) Second Letter of
Constantine to Macarius and the rest of the Bishops in Palestine (to
Eusebius). In Euseb. V. C. 3. 52–53 (Op. Const.
539–544). Directs the suppression of idolatrous worship at
Mamre.
32. (332.?) Edict against the
heretics. In Euseb. V. C. 3. 64–5. Against Novatians,
Valentinians, Marcionites, Paulians, Cataphrygians who are forbidden to
assemble and whose houses of worship are to be given to the Catholic
party.
33. (333.) Letter of
Constantine to Sapor, King of the Persians. In Euseb. 4.
9–13; Theodoret, 1. 24 (Op. Const. 545–552). Is mainly a
confession of faith commending the Persian Christians to the special
care of their king.
34. (333.) Letters of
Constantine to Antonius, the monk, and of Antonius to him are
mentioned in Athanasius, 1. 855 (Op. Const. 551–552). Constantine
and his sons write as to a father. Antony grudgingly replies with some
good advice for them to remember the day of judgment, regard Christ as
the only emperor, and have a care for justice and the poor.
35. (333.) Letter of
Constantine to Eusebius in praise of his discourse concerning
Easter. Eusebius, V. C. 4. 35 (Op. Const. 551–554)
praises the discourse and asks for more.
36. (333.) Letter of
Constantine to Eusebius on the preparation of the copies of the
Scriptures. In Euseb. V. C. 4. 36; Theod. 1. 15; Socr. 1. 9
(Op. Const. 553–554). Orders fifty copies with directions as to
style.
37. (335.) Fragment of the
first letter of Constantine to Athanasius. In Athan. Apol.;
Socr. 1. 27 (Op. Const. 553–556; Tr. Engl. in Athan. Hist.
Tracts, Oxf. 1843, p. 89). The letter summoning to the Council of
Tyre, but only a half-dozen lines remain. This bids him admit all who
wish to enter the church.
38. (335.) Letter of
Constantine to the people of the Alexandrian Church. In Athan.
Apol. c. Ar. c. 61 (Op. Const. 559–562; abstract in Soz.
2. 31; Tr. Engl. in Athan. Hist. Tracts, Oxf. 1850, p.
90–92). Is a general lamentation over the dissensions of the
Church, with expression of confidence in Athanasius.
39. (335.) Second Letter of
Constantine to Athanasius. Athan. Apol. (Op. Const.
555–558). Expresses his reprobation of the false accusations of
the Meletians against Athanasius.
40. (335.) Letter of
Constantine to Joannes the Meletian. Athan. Apol. (Op.
Const. 557–560). Congratulates on his reconciliation with
Athanasius.
41. (335.) Letter of
Constantine to Arius. In Socr. 1. 25 (Op. Const. 561–562).
Invites Arius to visit him—the famous visit where he presented a
confession of faith claimed to be in conformity with that of
Nicæa.
42. (335.) A Letter to
Dalmatius is mentioned by Athanasius, Apol. 5. 13, but not
preserved (Op. Const. 563–564; Tr. Engl. in Athan. Hist.
Tracts, Oxf. 1850, p. 94). It required him to make judicial enquiry
respecting the charge against Athanasius of the murder of
Arsenius.
43. (335.) Celebrated Letter
of Constantine concerning the Synod of Tyre. In Euseb. V. C.
3. 42 (Op. Const. 561–564). Exhorts the bishops to give zeal to
fulfilling the purpose of the synod in the restitution of peace to the
Church.
44. (335.) Letter to the
Bishops assembled at Tyre. In Socr. H. E. 1. 34, and in Soz.
H. E. 2. 28. Summons them to come to him at Constantinople and
give account of their proceedings.
Besides these there are the
clearly spurious:
1. Letter of Helena to
Constantine (Op. Const. 529–530).
2. Letter of Constantine in
response to Helena (Op. Const. 529–532).
3. Treaty of peace between
Constantine, Sylvester and Tiridates (Op. Const. 579–582).
On Tiridates compare various sources in Langlois Col. des
historiens de…l’Armènie, and for literature
respecting their authenticity, his note on p. 103.
4. Edict of Constantine to
Pope Silvester (Op. Const. 567–578). The famous Donation
which first appeared in Pseudo-Isidore, and for which see under The
Mythical Constantine, p. 442–3.
There are also quite a large
number of letters mentioned with more or less description, and a
“multitude of letters” (V. C. 3. 24) of which there
is no specific knowledge. Of the former may be mentioned that to the
inhabitants of Heliopolis, one to Valerius (or Valerianus or
Verinus) (Augustine, Ad Donat. p. c. c. 33); one to the
Council of Tyre, asking them to hasten to Jerusalem (V. C.
4. 43; Soz. 2. 26); and one acknowledging the copies of the Scriptures
prepared at his order, through Eusebius (V. C. 4.
37).
E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
