The Ecclesiastical Histories of Socrates and Sozomen

Evidently thinking that he could do a better job than Philip of Side, Socrates completed his Ecclesiastical History sometime around 439. Though Socrates was a pro-Nicene Christian in belief, his parents instilled in him a rare attitude of tolerance toward polytheists and dissidents of established Christian orthodoxy, a trait that is evident throughout his history. His uncommon name implies his family’s appreciation for the classical world, and Socrates confirms this suspicion by including references to his Hellenistic education from pagan priests and through many passages alluding to and defending non-Christian classics. In a similar fashion, he is singularly lenient toward minority sects among Christians: He writes favorably of the Novatians, a rigorist branch of Christianity, and even has sympathetic words for “Arians.” While details of Socrates’ personal life are unknown, a late manuscript of his Ecclesiastical History identifies Socrates as “Scholasticus,” a term usually denoting a lawyer by profession. Some scholars remain skeptical of the accuracy of this late addendum, but Socrates’ theological broad-mindedness would be surprising if he were a cleric, and subtle details found in the text itself may suggest a familiarity with the legal world.