Geschichte der altkirchlichen Literatur

Otto Bardenhewer (1851-1935) was Professor of New Testament Exegesis at Munich from 1886 to 1924. Following the success of his 1894 Patrologie (the 1908 English edition of which is also reissued), Bardenhewer went on to write this monumental five-volume history, in German, of early Christian literature from its beginnings to the seventh century. Published between 1902 and 1932, it was acclaimed for its thoroughness, clarity and sound judgment, and remains a standard work of reference. Volume 3 (reissued here in the 1912 edition) focuses on fourth-century Greek and Latin texts. Bardenhewer's introduction presents the dramatically changed political situation of fourth-century Christianity, the main theological sub-disciplines, and genres including homilies, letters and poetry. Part 1 covers Eastern figures, including Athanasius, the Desert Fathers, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Eusebius, Cyril of Jerusalem, and John Chrysostom. Part 2 is devoted to the West, including Hilary of Poitiers, Ambrose, and Jerome.