Zosimus
Abstract
This chapter features selections from Zosimus’ Recent History , written in Greek around 500 ce in Constantinople. A pagan critic of Christian emperors, Zosimus presents a hostile view of Constantine and the transformation of the Roman world. Rejecting Eusebius’ account of a divinely inspired conversion, he argues that Constantine embraced Christianity to atone for his crimes and founded Constantinople to escape Roman hatred—offering a starkly different perspective on the emperor and the decline of traditional religion.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Classical Antiquity Studies
Byzantine Studies and History
Historical and Religious Studies of Rome
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 626–627
- Publication date
- 3 March 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter