1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 99 
Close(d. c. 285) scholar; master of mathematics, physics, astronomy, philosophy and rhetoric; head of the Aristotelian school at Alexandria
Bishop of Laodicea (268 - 83); wrote a treatise on the time of the celebration of Easter
Anatolius, in a part of Alexandria besieged by the Romans, arranged with Eusebius for the Romans to allow the escape of those opposing them. 1570, p. 107; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Anatolius was cited by both Colmán, bishop of Northumbria, and Wilfrid to support their opposing positions on the calculation of the date of Easter at the Synod of Whitby in 664. 1570, p. 107; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Close(d. 284) [W. Leadbetter www.roman-emperors.org, sub Numerian]
Praetorian prefect; father-in-law of Emperor Numerian
Diocletian accused him of causing Numerian's death; killed by Diocletian
Aper was said to have killed Numerian in hopes of becoming emperor himself. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
He was killed by Diocletian with his sword in front of the troops. 1570, p. 109; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 77.
Close(d. c. 250) [Gams]
Patriarch of Antioch (237 - 50); died in prison during the Decian persecution
Foxe relates an account of a Babylas who was martyred, but questions whether this was the same person as the bishop of Antioch. 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 61.
Close(c.1177 - 1231)
Provost of Ursberg; chronicler
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 61, 77, 108; 1576, pp. 44, 52, 76; 1583, pp. 43, 52, 76.
Close(d. 285) [W. Leadbetter www.roman-emperors.org]
Roman emperor (283 - 85), first with his father Carus, who died in 283, and then with his younger brother Numerian until November 284
After the deaths of his father and brother, Carinus ruled alone in Italy. He defeated the rebel Sabinus Julianus, but was overcome in a rebellion by the troops returned from Persia. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Close(d. 283) [W. Leadbetter www.roman-emperors.org]
Roman emperor (282 - 83); conducted a successful war against the Persians. Died suddenly, probably of illness.
Foxe says Carus was killed by lightning. 1570, pp. 39, 108; 1576, pp. 31, 77; 1583, pp. 31, 76.
Close(d. c. 302x4) [Gams]
Patriarch of Antioch (c. 280x2 - c. 302x4)
He was reputed, by Chrysostom and Burchard of Ursberg, to have been killed by Emperor Numerian for refusing to allow him to enter the church. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Close(d. 265) [Gams]
Patriarch of Alexandria (247 - 265); church father
Dionysius succeeded Heraclas as head of the school in Alexandria and then as bishop. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Dionysius sent a letter to Fabius of Antioch describing the uprisings against the Christians in Alexandria. 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 62; 1583, p. 61.
In his letter, Dionysius recounted how a number of the faithful lapsed under torture or through terror. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Dionysius gave an account of his and his followers' rescue from the persecutors. 1570, p. 90; 1576, p. 63; 1583, pp. 62-63.
In a letter to Hierax, a bishop in Egypt, Dionysius described the effects of a plague that had afflicted Alexandria after the death of Decius. 1570, p. 94; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
Dionysius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was banished by Aemilianus, prefect of Egypt. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
Dionysius outlived Valerian and died an old man. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 73.
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia, sub Gorgonius]
Christian; he and his family lived at Diocletian's court; martyred at Nicomedia
Dorotheus, like a number of other Christians, was held in high esteem at the court of Diocletian. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
Dorotheus and Gorgonius were said to have urged a fellow Christian undergoing torture to remain constant. 1570, p. 112; 1576, p. 80; 1583, p. 80.
When he and Gorgonius objected to the treatment of their colleague Peter and said they themselves were Christians, they were strangled. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. c. 268) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Pupil of Origen; deacon of Alexandria under Dionysius; bishop of Laodicea
During the exile of Dionysius, Eusebius ministered to the scattered Christians and buried the bodies of the martyrs. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 72.
The Roman governor favoured Eusebius and agreed to his request to allow those in a part of Alexandria besieged by the Romans to leave. Eusebius then arranged for the care of those who fled. 1570, p. 107; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Close(fl. 2nd half C4)
Secretary at Constantinople; pagan historian; compiled Breviarium historiae Romanae
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 83, 105, 107, 108, 115, 139; 1576, pp. 57, 75, 76, 82, 102; 1583, pp. 57, 74, 75, 76, 82, 101.
CloseC4; one of six reputed authors of Historia Augusta [Arnaldo Momigliano, 'An Unsolved Problem of Historical Forgery: The Scriptores Historiae Augustae', Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, vol. 17, no. 1/2. (1954), pp. 22-46]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 107; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 75.
Close(236/7 - 316) [R. W. Mathisen www.roman-emperors.org]
Roman emperor (284 - 305), succeeding Carus's son, Numerian, in the east; controlled the whole empire after the death of Carinus, Carus's younger son, in 285. Introduced tetrarchy; enforced imperial cult; abdicated.
Declined an offer to take the throne in 308; died at Split.
Diocletian came to the throne with the support of the troops. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
Having accused Aper of killing Numerian, Diocletian killed him with his sword in front of the troops. 1570, p. 109; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 77.
Diocletian commanded that he be worshipped as a god. 1570, p. 109; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 77.
Diocletian introduced the most severe persecution of the Christians. The persecution began with the destruction of churches and books of scripture. 1570, pp. 39, 109-111; 1576, pp. 31, 78-79; 1583, pp. 31, 77-79.
He went on use threats and imprisonment, and eventually he devised a great variety of tortures and methods of execution. 1570, pp. 112-14; 1576, pp. 80-81; 1583, pp. 79-81.
Diocletian abdicated and, having heard of the edict of Constantine and Licinius granting freedom of worship to Christians, died. 1570, p. 121; 1576, p. 87; 1583, p. 86.
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Christian imperial official, favourite of Diocletian; martyred at Nicomedia
[There are five other martyrs with same name]
Gorgonius, like a number of other Christians, was held in high esteem at the court of Diocletian. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
Gorgonius and Dorotheus were said to have urged a fellow Christian undergoing torture to remain constant. 1570, p. 112; 1576, p. 80; 1583, p. 80.
When he and Dorotheus objected to the treatment of their colleague Peter and said they themselves were Christians, they were strangled. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(c. 1460 - 1527) [James D. Tracy, 'Erasmus Becomes a German', Renaissance Quarterly, vol. 21, no. 3. (Autumn, 1968), pp. 281-288]
Printer and publisher in Basel; friend of Erasmus; employed Hans Holbein the Younger as illuminator
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Close(347 - 407) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
b. Antioch; hermit and ascetic. Bishop of Constantinople 398, deposed and banished 403. Preacher in Syria and Constantinople; denounced the abuse of authority in the church and the Roman empire
Thomas Arthur and Thomas Bilney, in their examination on a charge of heresy, said that Chrysostom encouraged the reading of books to aid committing to memory the things that were heard. 1563, p. 465, 1570, p. 1137; 1576, p. 974; 1583, p. 1000.
Close(d. 284) [W. Leadbetter www.roman-emperors.org]
Roman emperor (283 - 84) with his father Carus, who died in 283, and his older brother Carinus
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
CloseReputed C3 governor of Alexandria
Pyruchius favoured Eusebius, deacon at Alexandria, and agreed to his request to allow those who opposed the Romans to leave the city. 1570, p. 107; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
Close(d. 285) [W. Leadbetter www.roman-emperors.org, sub Carinus]
Led revolt in Pannonia against the Roman emperor Carinus c. 284/85; Sabinus was defeated and killed.
Sabinus was overcome by Carinus. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
CloseEgypt
Coordinates: 31° 11' 5" N, 29° 55' 9" E
CloseDenizli, Turkey
Coordinates: 37° 50' 9" N, 29° 6' 27" E
worthy here to be noted, whereby to vnderstand the faithfull diligence of good Ministers, what good it may doe in a common wealth.
Mention is made before of Eusebius the Deacon of Dyonisius, whom God stirred vp to visite and comfort the saintes that were in prison and bandes, and to burye the bodies of the blessed Martyrs departed, not without great perill of his owne life, and after was made bishop (as is sayde) of Laodicea. But before he came to Laodicea to be bishop there, it chaunced, the sayde Eusebius remaining as yet at Alexandria, the citie to be besieged of the Romaines, Pyruchius being there captaine. In the which siege halfe of the citie did hold with the Romaines, the other half withstoode them. In that part which went with the Romaine captaine was Eusebius,MarginaliaEusebius Deacon of Alexandria. being also in great fauour with the captaine for his worthy fidelitie and seruice shewed. With the other halfe that resisted the Romains, was Anatholius,MarginaliaAnatholius rector of the Vniuersitie of Alexandria. gouernour or moderator then of the schole of Alexandria, who also was bishop after the sayde Eusebius of Laodicea. This Anatholius perceiuing the citizens to be in miserable distresse of famine and destruction by reason of penury and lacke of sustenance, sendeth to Eusebius beeng then with the Romaines, and certifieth him of the lamentable penurie and perill of the citie, instructing him moreouer, what to do in the matter. Eusebius vnderstanding the case, repaireth to the captaine, desiring of him so much fauoure, that so many as would flee out of the citie from their enemies, might be licenced to escape and freely to passe, which was to him eftsoones graunted. MarginaliaThe piety of Anatholius and Eusebius. to their countrey. As Eusebius was thus labouring with the capitaine, on the other side Anatholius for his part laboured with the Citizens, moouing them to assemble togither, and perswading them to geue themselues ouer, in yeelding to the force and might of the Romaines. But when the Citizens could not abide the hearing therof: yet (sayde Anatholius) this I trust you will be contented, if I shal co?saile you, in this miserable lacke of things to auoide out of your citie, all such superfluities and vnnecessary impedimentes vnto you, as olde women, yong children, aged men, with such other as be feeble and impotent, & not to suffer them here to perish with famine, whose presence can do no stead to you if they dy, & lesse if they liue, for spending the victuals which otherwise might serue th? that be more able to defend the Citie. The Senate hearing this sentence, & vnderstanding moreouer the graunt of the captaine, promising them their safetie, were well c?senting there vnto. Then Anatholius, hauing a speciall care to them that belonged to the Church of Christ, calleth them together, with the rest of the multitude, and perswading them what they should do, and what had bene obteined for th?, caused them to void the citie, and not onlie them, but also a great number of other mo, who perswaded by him, vnder that pretence, changing themselues in womens apparell, or faining some impotencie, so escapeh out of the citie. At whose comming out Eusebius on the other side was readie to receiue them, and refreshed their hungrye and pined bodies, whereby not onelye they, but the whole Citye of Alexandria was preserued from destruction. Eusebius. lib. 7. cap. 32.MarginaliaEuseb. Lib. 7. Cap. 32.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe Prelates of Rome are cleane contrary to these good Prelates. By this little historie of Eusebius and Anatholius, described in the vij. booke of Eusebius. cap. 32. and briefly here set foorth to thee (gentle Reader) thou mayest partly vnderstande the practise of the Prelates what it was in those daies in the church, which was then onlie imploied in sauing of life, and succouring the common weales wherein they liued, as by these two godly persons Eusebius and Anatholius may wel appeare. Vnto the which practise if we compare the practise of our latter prelates of the church of Rome, I suppose no little difference will appeare.
[Back to Top]The next Emperour to Florianus (as is said) was Marcus Aurelius Probus,MarginaliaMarcus Aurelius Probus Emperour. Peace in the Church. a Prince both wise and vertuous, and no less valiant in martial affaires, as fortunate in the successe of the same. During his time we reade of no persecution greatly stiring in the church, but much quietnes, as well in matters of religion, as also in the common wealth In so much that after his great and manye victories, such peace ensued, that his saying was,MarginaliaThe saying of Marcus Aurelius. there needed no more souldiers, seing there were no moe enimies to the c?mon wealth to fight against. It was his saying also, that hys souldiers nede not to spend corne and victuale, except they laboured to serue the common wealth. And for the same cause he caused his souldiers to be set a worke about certayne mountaynes in Syrinia & in Messia to be planted with vines,MarginaliaSouldiours brought vp in idlenes can abide no labour. and not so much as in winter suffered them to be at rest, therfore by them at length he was slayne, after he had reigned the space of vj. yeres, and 4. moneths, an. 284 Eutrop.MarginaliaMarcus Aurelius slayne.
[Back to Top]Carus with his two sonnes Carinus and Numerianus,succeeded next after Probus in the Empire,MarginaliaAn. 284. Carus with hys two sonnes Carinus and Numerianus Emperour. Carus Emperour slayn with lightning. the raygne of which Emperors, continued in all, but iij. yeares. Of the which three first Carus, warring agaynst the Persians, was slayne with lightning. Of Numerianus his sonne, beyng with his father in his warres against the Persians, we finde much commendation in Eutropius, Vopiscus, and other writers, which testified to him to be a valiaunt warriour, an eloquent orator, as appeared by his declamati?s and writingcs sent to the Senate. Thirdly, to be an excellent Poet. This Numerianus sorrowing & lamentyng for the death of hys father, through immoderate weeping fell into a great sorenes of his eyes, by reason whereof he keping close, was slaine not long after of his father in lawe, named Aper who traiterously aspiring to the Empire, dissimuled his death, with a false excuse to the people, asking for him, saying, for the payne of his eyes he kept in from the wind and weather, til at length by the stinch of his body being caried about, his death was vttered.
[Back to Top]Marginalia Correction of a certaine place of Eutropius, ex editioue Frobeniana. In the life of this Emperor Carus aforesaide, written by Eutropius in the later edition set forth by Frobenius, I finde (whiche in other editions of Eutropius doth not appeare) that Numerianus the sonne of this Carus was he that slewe Babylas the holy Martyr, whose history before wee haue comprehended. But that seemeth not to be like both by the narration of Chrysostome, and also for that Vrspergensis declaryng the same hystorie and in the same wordes, as it is in Eutropius, saith that it was Cyrillus,MarginaliaCirillus resisteth the Emperour. whome Numerianus killed, the story whereof is this: What time Carus the Emperour in his iourney going toward the Persians, remayned at Antioche. Numerianus his sonne would enter the church of the christians, to view and behold their misteries. MarginaliaCyrillus Byshop of Antioche. Martyr. Ex Chroni. Vrspergen. But Cyrillus their bishop would in no wise suffer him to enter into the church, saying that it was not lawfull for him to see the misteries of God, who was polluted with sacrifices of Idoles. Numerianus full of indignation at the hearing of these words, not suffering that repulse at the hands of Cyrillus, in his fury did slay the godlye Martyr. And therefore iustly (as it seemed) was he himselfe slayne afterward by the hands of Aper.
[Back to Top]Thus Carus with his sonne Numerianus being slaine in the East partes, as is declared, Carinus the other sonne raigned alone in Italye, where he ouercame Sabinus striuyng for the Empire, and raigned there with much wyckednes, till they returning home of the army againe from the Persians, who then set vp Dioclesian to be Emperor, by whome the foresayde Carinus for the wickednes of hys life, being forsaken of his host, was ouercome, & at length slayne with the hande of the Tribune, whose wyfe before he had defloured.MarginaliaCarinus Emperour sleyne. Adultery punished. Thus Carus with his two sonnes, Numerianus and Carinus ended their liues, whose raigne continued not aboue three yeares.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaAn. 289. The peace of the Churche from Valerian to the tenth persecution, lasted 44. yeares. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 1. All this meane space we reade of no great persecution stirring in the Church of Christ, but was in meane quiete state and tranquilitie, vnto the xix. yeare of the raigne of Dioclesian, So that in counting the time from the latter ende of Valerian, vnto this foresaid yeare of Dioclesian, the peace of the church which God gaue to his people, semeth to continue aboue 44. yeares. During the which tyme of peace and tranquilitie, the church of the Lord did mightely increase and florish, so that the more bodies it lost by persecution, the more honor and reuerence it wan daily among the Gentiles in al quarters, both Grekes and barbarous, in so much that (as Eusebius in his vij. booke describeth) amongst the Emperours themselues, diuers there were which not onely bare singular good will and fauor to them of our profession, but also did commit vnto them offices & regiments ouer countries and nations, so well were they affected to our doctrine, that they priuileged the same with liberty and indemnitie. What needeth to speake of them which not only liued vnder the Emperors in libertie but also were familiar in the court with the Princes themselues, entertained with great honour and speciall fauour beyond the other seruitures of the court, as was Dorotheus with his wife, children and whole family, highly accepted & aduaunced in the palace of the Emperour: Also Gorgonius in like maner with diuers other mo,MarginaliaDorotheus, Gorgonius, Christians of great reputation in the Emperours court. who for theyr doctrine & learning which they professed, were with theyr Princes in great estimation. MarginaliaThe peceable state of the Church described. In like reuerence also were the bishops of cities and Diocesse, with the Presidentes and rulers where they liued: who not onely suffered th? to liue in peace, but also had them in great price and regarde, so long as they kept themselues vpright, and continued in God his fauour. Who is able to number at that time the mighty and innumerable multitudes and congregations assembling together in euery citie, and the notable c?curses of such as dayly flocked to the common Oratoures to pray? For the which cause they beyng not able to be contei-
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