Documents of the Early Arian Controversy
This page gives an overview of the most important background documents of the early Arian controversy, up until about AD 327, and provides a chart listing those 40 items. The chart also gives a hotlink for each item that leads to a subpage the provides information and a short introduction to that document together with the text and our English translation.
This list was first compiled by Hans-Georg Opitz in connection with his projected edition of Athanasius’s works. He published the ancient texts in volume 3, fascicles 1-2 of the German Athanasius Werke (AW) in 1934. He numbered each document, Urkunde in German; hence Urkunde 1, Urkunde 2, etc. Since English translations were not similarly available in one place, our Fourth-Century Christianity website provided them in 2008. The previous year, however, the German continuators of Opitz’s AW project published German translations of the items in a new volume 3.3, and in doing so re-evaluated the chronology and order of the documents, almost all of which are undated. To put the items in the updated chronological order while distinguishing their numbering from that of Opitz, they designated the items as Dokumente 1, Dokumente 2, etc.
We have now redone our pages to give priority to this more recent scholarship. In the table below the items are listed in order given in AW 3.3. Uta Heil wrote an introductory essay for that volume explaining the logic behind the reordering (AW 3.3.xix-xxxviii), and we hope soon to make an English translation available.
We have also included separate pages displaying the competing chronologies of H.-G. Opitz, Rowan Williams (2002) and Sarah Parvis (2006). The source designated below as the Anonymous Church History has often been erroneously attributed to Gelasius. Our translation of it can be accessed here.
Historical background
Sometime between 318-320, a dispute between Arius, a priest in the Baucalis suburb of Alexandria, and his bishop Alexander (r. 313-328) arose about the proper way to describe the relationship between the Father and the Son. This continued a pattern of dissension within the Christian community that had started during the Great Persecution a decade earlier and which had led to a breakaway “Church of the Martyrs” led by Melitius, the bishop of Lycopolis. After several hearings in which the two sides could not come to agreement, the dispute rapidly heated up. Alexander soon excommunicated Arius and his supporters. Arius sent letters and representatives to sympathetic clergy around the eastern Mediterranean garning support for his theology.
Patristic scholars today warn against lumping together as “Arians” all the early theologians who had reservations about granting the Son full equality with the Father. They argue that it was the opponents of Arius who created this persona of Arius as the leader and arch-heretic of this theological tendency. Even his role as originator of the open controversy has been questioned, with men such as Eusebius of Caesarea, Asterius the Sophist and Lucian of Antioch offered as among the other instigators. Arius and those with similar ideas are seen as continuing an already existent theological trajectory which emphasized the Son as “substantially different” than the Father while yet distinct from the rest of creation. On the other hand, the key role of Arius in both the theological and public debate is clearly seen in the writings below.
Map: For a map showing the geographical diversity among early Arian supporters, click here.
Key to the chart:
Appx. date: The date given is normally those assigned by Heil (AW 3.3). Click here to see the issues related to chronology.
Dok.: The document number in vol. 3.3 (the 2007 edition) of Athanasius’ Werke.
Ancient source(s): Gives the location in the ancient sources where the document has been preserved.
Translation(s): Gives a link to our translation (FCC) translations may be accessed by clicking the link.
Urk.: Provides the document number (Urk.) in Opitz’s 1934 Athanasius Werke 3.1-2: See the contents of this volume by page number.
Opitz date: The date originally assigned to each document in Opitz’s 1934 Athanasius Werke.
CPG: Clavis Patrum Graecorum reference number.
| Appx date | Dok. | Description | Ancient source(s) | Translation(s) | Urk. | Opitz date | CPG |
| 318-320 | 1 | Arius and his followers to Alexander of Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 16; Epiphanius, Panarion 69.7; Hilary, De Trinitate 4.12 |
FCC; CLA no. 22; Hanson, pp. 7-8; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 458; NPNF2 vol. 9, p. 74; New Eusebius, no. 284 |
6 | c. 320 | 2026 |
| 318-320 | 2.1 | Alexander of Alexandria to his clergy | Athanasius, De decretis 34 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 69 | 4a | 318/9 | 2001 |
| 318-320 | 2.2 | Alexander of Alexandria’s encyclical letter on Arius’ deposition | Athanasius, De decretis 35; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6.; Anonymous Church History 2.3.1-21 |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. NPNF2 vol. 4, pp. 69-72; NPNF2 vol. 2, pp.3-5; 282;Sections 2-3: Hanson, p. 16 |
4b | c. 318 | 2000 |
| 318-320 | 3 | Summary of letter of a Council in Bithynia | Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 1.15.10 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 252 | 5 | c. 320 | – |
| 318-320 | 4 | Eusebius of Nicomedia to Paulinus of Tyre | Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6 (1.5 in the NPNF) |
FCC; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 42 | 8 | c. 320 | 2045 |
| 318-320 | 5 | Fragment of a letter of Paulinus of Tyre | Eusebius, Contra Marcellum 1.4.18-21, 49-51 |
FCC; Hanson, p. 45 |
9 | c. 320 | 2065 |
| 318-320 | 6 | Priest George to Alexander of Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 17.5 | FCC; Hanson, p. 44; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459 |
12 | c. 322 | 3555 |
| 318-320 | 7 | Priest George to the Arians in Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 17.6 | FCC; Hanson, p. 44; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459 |
13 | c. 322 | 3556 |
| 320-322 | 8 | Summary of letter of a council in Palestine reinstating Arius | Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 1.15.11 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 252 | 10 | c. 321/2 | – |
| 320-322 | 9 | Eusebius of Caesarea to Alexander of Alexandria | 2nd Council of Nicaea: Labbe, vol. 7, col. 496 and Mansi, vol.13, coll. 316-7 |
FCC | 7 | c. 320 | 3501 |
| 320-322 | 10 | Eusebius of Caesarea to Euphration of Balanea | Sections 1-3: Council of Nicaea, Session 5: Labbe vol. 7, col. 365; Sections 1-2: 2nd Council of Nicaea, Session 5: in Mansi vol. 13, col.176, 317; Sections 4-5: Eusebius, Contra Marcellum1.4.40-41, 57; Athanasius,De synodis 17.3 |
FCC | 3 | c. 318 | 3500 |
| 320-322 | 11 | Athanasius of Anazarbus to Alexander of Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 17.4 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 458; Discussed Hanson, p. 42 |
11 | c. 322 | 2060 |
| 320-322 | 12 | Part of a letter of Athanasius of Anazarbus | Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275 (Frag. 4 [235 Gryson, Scripta Arriana]) | FCC | – | – | 2061 |
| 320-322 | 13 | Parts of 2 letters of Theognis of Nicaea | Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275-76 (Frag. 4 [235 Gryson, Scripta Arriana]) |
FCC | – | – | 2070 |
| 320-322 | 14 | Fragment of a letter of Alexander of Alexandria to all bishops | Greek: Schwartz, pp. 265-7; Syriac: Pitra, vol. 4, pp. 196-7 |
FCC | 15 | 324 | 2003 |
| 323-324 | 15 | Arius to Eusebius of Nicomedia | Epiphanius, Panarion 69.6; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.5 (1.4 in the NPNF) |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 283; Sections 2-8: Hanson, p. 139, Sections 4-5: Hanson, p. 6; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 41 |
1 | c. 318 | 2025 |
| 323-324 | 16 | Fragment of a letter from Eusebius of Nicomedia to Arius | Athanasius, De synodis 17.2 | FCC; Hanson, p. 31; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459 |
2 | c. 318 | 2046 |
| 323-324 | 17 | Alexander of Alexandria to Alexander of Byzantium | Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.4 (1.3 in the NPNF) |
FCC; CLA no. 21; NPNF2 vol. 3, pp. 35-41; Discussed in Hanson, p. 141-2 Discussed on New Eusebius, no. 285 |
14 | 324 | 2002 |
| 323-324 | 18 | Fragment a letter of Alexander of Alexandria to Sylvester of Rome | Section 1: Richard, p. 82; Section 2: Hilary: CSEL vol. 65, part 4, pp. 91-92; |
FCC | 16 | ? | – |
| 323-324 | 19 | Emperor Constantine to Alexander of Alexandria and Arius | Eusebius, Vita Constantini, 2.64; Sections 6-15: Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.7; Sections 6-15: Anonymous Church History 2.4 |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 287; Coleman, no. 47; NPNF2 vol. 1, pp. 515-8; Sections 6-15: NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 6-7 |
17 | Oct. 324 | 2020 |
| early 325 | 20 | Letter of the Council of Antioch (325) | Greek and Syriac: Schwartz, pp. 271-9; Syriac: Schulthess, pp. 160-2 |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 288; Sections 8-11: Hanson, p. 149 |
18 | early 325 | 8509 |
| 325 | 21 | Fragment of a letter of Narcissus of Neronias to Chrestus, Euphronius and Eusebius | Eusebius, Contra Marcellum, 1.4.39 | FCC | 19 | 325 | – |
| 325 | 22 | Emperor Constantine’s letter calling the Council of Nicaea | Greek: Schwartz, p. 289; Syriac: Schulthess, p. 1 |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 289; Coleman, no. 48 |
20 | Spring 325 | 8511 |
| 325 | 23 | Fragment of a letter from Eusebius of Nicomedia to the Council of Nicaea | Ambrose, De fide 3.15 | FCC; Hanson, p. 31; NPNF2 vol. 10, p. 260 |
21 | June 325 | 2047 |
| 325 | 24 | Eusebius of Caesarea to his church explaining his actions at the Council of Nicaea | Athanasius, De decretis 33; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.12 (1.11 in NPNF); Anonymous Church History 2.35; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.8 (section 16 omitted) |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 291; NPNF2 vol. 4, pp. 74-76; NPNF2 vol. 2, pp. 10; NPNF2 vol. 3 p. 51 (partial); Sections 3-6: Hanson, p. 159; Section 7: Hanson, p. 165; Section 16: Hanson, p. 166 |
22 | June 325 | 3502 |
| 325 | 25 | Athanasius, De decretis 36; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.2 (1.8.2 in NPNF); Anonymous Church History 2.34.2 |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 292; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 12; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 46 |
23 | June 325 | 8515 | |
| 325 | 26 | Creed of the Council of Nicaea | Athanasius, De decretis 37 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 75 |
24 | 19 June 325 | 8512 |
| 325 | 27 | Emperor Constantine to Arius and his followers | Athanasius, De decretis 40; Anonymous Church History 3.19.1 |
Coleman-Norton, no. 67; Sections 14-15: Hanson, p. 189 |
34 | 333 | 2042 |
| 325 | 28 | Part of an edict against Arius and his followers | Athanasius, De decretis 39; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.30; Anonymous Church History 2.36.1 Syriac: Schulthess, pp. 1-2 |
FCC; Coleman-Norton, no. 66; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 14 |
33 | 333 | 2041 |
| 325 | 29 | Emperor Constantine to the church of Alexandria | Athanasius, De decretis 38; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.17; Anonymous Church History 2.37; |
FCC; Coleman, no. 53; New Eusebius, no. 293; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 13 |
25 | June 325 | 8517 |
| 325 | 30 | Emperor Constantine to the churches on the Nicene decision concerning Easter | Eusebius, Vita Constantini 3.17-18;Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.32; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.10 (1.9 in NPNF); Anonymous Church History 2.37.10 |
FCC; Coleman, no. 52; NPNF2 vol. 1, p. 524-5; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 14-16; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 47-8 |
26 | June 325 | 8518 |
| 325 | 31 | Emperor Constantine to the church of Nicomedia | Athanasius, De decretis 41; Anonymous Church History 3. appendix 1; Sections 9-17: Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.20 (1.19 in NPNF) |
FCC; Coleman, no. 50; Sections 9-17: New Eusebius, no. 294; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 56 |
27 | Nov. – Dec. 325 | 2055 |
| 325 | 32 | Athanasius, De decretis 42; Anonymous Church History 3.appendix 2 |
FCC; Coleman, no. 51; New Eusebius, no. 305 (1957 edition only) |
28 | Nov. – Dec. 325 | 2056 | |
| 326-327 | 33 | Emperor Constantine to Arius | Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.25.7 | FCC; Coleman, no. 58; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 28 |
29 | 27 Nov. 327 | 2040 |
| 326-327 | 34 | Arius and Euzoius to the Emperor Constantine | Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.26.2; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.27.6-10 |
FCC; New Eusebius, no. 295; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 28; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 277 |
30 | late 327 | 2027 |
| 327 | 35.1 | Council of Antioch against Asclepas of Gaza |
Athanasius, Apologia secunda 45.2; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 2.8.26; |
– | – | – | – |
| 327 | 35.2 | Council of Antioch against Eustathius | Socrates, Historia Ecclesiastica 1.23.8-1.24.9 | – | – | – | – |
| 327-328 | 36 | Eusebius of Nicomedia and Theognis of Nicaea, recanting in order to be reinstated | Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.14.2; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.16.3-7; Anonymous Church History 3.13 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 296; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 20, vol. 2, p. 68 |
31 | late 327 | 2048 |
| 327-328 | 37 | Fragment of a letter from Emperor Constantine to Alexander of Alexandria | Anonymous Church History 3.15.1-5 | FCC | 32 | early 328 | 2021 |
*There are a few notable changes in the chronology used in this edition:
1. The letters involving Eusebius of Nicomedia (Urk. 1, 2 and 8, Doc. 4, 15 and 16) are put later, suggesting that he joined the controversy later than previously supposed.
2. Constantine’s angry letters about Arius (Urk. 33 and 34, Doc. 27 and 28) have been moved from 333 to during or just after the Council of Nicaea in 325.
Additional documents between 327 and 344 are included in AW 3.3. A list can be found here.
Three additional pages are devoted to alternative chronologies of the period:
For a simpler table comparing the alternative chronologies side-by-side, click here.
Originally created by AJW
Last updated 10/26/24 by GLT.
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