The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus - Coptic ...

INTRODUCTION lvii
(ii.1: e.g. the discussion of the name Augustus), and his condemnation of
Zeno’s wickedness is heightened by the digression on the consequences
of intemperance (iii.1). In general, imperial portraits are occasions for a
loftier style (e.g. iv.30; v.i.19; vi.1). Evagrius was a self-conscious writer,
who deliberately builds up parallel and antithetical sequences to demonstrate
his artistry: for example, God’s care for men in the context of the
526 earthquake at Antioch is described as follows:
which devises cures before the blow, and tempers the sword of
anger with mercy, which exhibits its own sympathy at the very
moment of despair, raised up Ephrem, who directed the reins of
the eastern realm, to assume every care so that the city should
not lack any necessities. And as a consequence the sons of the
Antiochenes, in admiration, elected him as priest. And he obtained
the apostolic see, being allotted it as a reward and privilege
for his especial support (iv. 6, p. 156:14^21).
Three relative clauses portray the operation of God’s care: Ephrem’s
position as comes Orientis is described obliquely, the inhabitants of
Antioch are graced with a periphrasis, and ¢nally Ephrem’s appointment
as patriarch is reported indirectly.
Metaphors play an important part in Evagrius’ linguistic ampli¢cation
and variation. 110 Thus Anastasius of Antioch’s opposition to Justinian’s
Aphthartodocetist heresy is elevated with military terminology:
Justinian assailed this man like some impregnable tower by applying
contrivances of all sorts, reckoning that, if he could shake
this one, there would be no toil left in capturing the city and enslaving
the correct doctrines and taking captive the £ocks of
Christ. But to such an extent was he [Anastasius] elevated aloft
by his sacred courage ^ for he had taken his stand upon the immovable
rock of the faith ^ that he even opposed Justinian in public
. . . (iv.40, p. 191:7^14). 111
Similarly strong language is used of other heretics: Arius was ‘fettererd
in the shackles forged at Nicaea; furthermore, Eunomius and Macedonius
had been shipwrecked in the Bosporus and shattered at the city of
110 There is a full collection in Thurmayr, Studien 15^46, with copious parallels from
other late Greek authors.
111 Cf. the language applied to the Devil at i.1.