Eusebius’ Church History 24

Study Guide Questions for Book 9.9-9.11

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Ignorance, Temperance, Cowardice, Justice

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. Which tetrarch defeated Maxentius? 

2. Which tetrarch defeated Maximin Daia?

3. To which biblical figure did Eusebius compare Maxentius?

4. What did Maxentius make which became “a device for his own destruction?”

5. How did Maxentius die?

6. What was the gist of the “tyrant’s letter” and how did the Christians react to it?

7. What two things did Maximin do after he lost his battles against Licinius and fled for his life?

8. How did Maximin Daia die?

9. After Maximin’s death what became of the “other enemies of godliness” who had operated under Maximin?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why is the comparison of Maxentius to Pharaoh so fitting?

2. What did Eusebius mean by saying that Constanting “ordered a trophy of the Savior’s passion placed in the hand of his own statue?”

3. Eusebius claimed that in Maximin’s first letter he “claims to have done things he never did.” What things, in particular, is Eusebius referring to?

4. Why did the Christinas not meet openly even after Maximin’s first letter which gave instructions to let the Christians worship whatever God they pleased?

5. Why did Maximin execute “many priests and prophets of the gods?”

6. Why might Maximin have written a second letter on behalf of the Chrsitians after losing several battles to Licinius?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. What is the difference between an occurrence being a miracle versus an example of God’s providence? Define both terms. Give examples of events from history (biblical or otherwise) which illustrate each category. How would you categorize what occurred in the case of Constantine's battle with Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge? Explain your reasoning.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Eusebius notes that Maximin Daia place his hope “in demons (whom he regarded as gods!)” Read Deuteronomy 32:15-18 and 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. How does this add context and explanation to Eusebius’ claim that Maximin was worshiping demons?