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Stuart G. Hall, Socrate de Constantinople: Histoire ecclésiastique. Livre VII. Greek text by ed. G. C. Hansen. Translated by †Pierre Périchon, SJ and Pierre Maraval., The Journal of Theological Studies, Volume 59, Issue 1, April 2008, Pages 379–380, https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flm192
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This volume concludes the valuable set of volumes of Socrates (cf. JTS, ns 56 [2005], pp. 687–8; 57 [2006], pp. 328–9; 58 [2007], pp. 728–9). The text remains that of Hansen in GCS, nf, 1, with only the slightest preferences expressed against him, as at p. 56 foot and n. 1, and p. 154, line 1, with footnote; in both places I think Hansen wins. The history peters out, though deliberately ended, in ad 438. Book 7 contains more public affairs and personal reminiscence than some others, and is very much focused on Constantinople. Maraval's brief introduction points out the main features. Socrates approves of moderation, whether of the emperor Theodosius II, or the bishops Atticus and Proclus. The willingness of bishops to embrace in their charity parties which did not submit to their orthodoxy is particularly praised, and the ups and downs of Socrates’ own fellow-Novatianists are particularly noticed. But so are the disputes and adventures of Macedonians (ch. 3) and Arians (ch. 6). Socrates was plainly involved with courtiers of high standing, and equally plainly was not associated with the emperor's formidable sister Pulcheria, whose role in affairs is hardly mentioned. Socrates practises the moderation he preaches, and is fair to Nestorius, as Maraval notes, acquitting him of heresy, even though he blames him for persecuting other denominations and insufficient learning. His account of the Council of Ephesus is very disappointing to those who know some of the documentation, but perhaps illuminatingly reflects how little could be known by an educated Constantinopolitan living through the crisis. As usual Maraval notes Socrates’ frequent errors of fact and chronology. It is amusing to find Socrates criticizing Philip of Side's enormous Christian History for chronological inaccuracy and irrelevance; it tends to confirm my feeling that its status as a lost work is probably the right one. One-third of this final volume is taken up with three indexes to the whole set. These cover texts cited, rerum christianorum, and names and places. These pages are pure gold as far as they go. They cannot match Hansen's long lists of parallels and sources and of users, nor of course his comprehensive Wortregister. But the wise researcher might do well to explore both sets of indexes: Maraval's Index rerum christianorum in particular may have things to offer not easily found in Hansen. Besides, you need French rather than Greek to use it. We should again record our thanks to the team that has produced the edition, and wish it plentiful use by scholars and students.
