Toward a New Reconstruction

Several times in the previous chapters, this study has mentioned the work of Richard Burgess and his reevaluation of the reconstruction of Joseph Bidez. Burgess argues that Bidez actually combined two different works. One of these, dubbed by Burgess the Continuatio Antiochiensis Eusebii, is the focus of that historian’s analysis and will be the theme of the first part of the present chapter. Though Burgess believes that the Continuatio is not a part of any non-Nicene historiographical tradition, a closer reading strongly suggests that Bidez’s belief that the fragments were by an “Arian” remains correct. Furthermore, internal evidence even allows us to propose the identity of the author of Burgess’ Continuatio.