Sozomen
Also: Salminius Hermias Sozomenus
Born perhaps between 380 and 400, probably in Bethelia, near Gaza (now Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip). Died perhaps between 445 and 450; the place is not known.
A lawyer from near Gaza who worked at Constantinople. He wrote a Church History for the years 324 to 425, with many stories of monks.
Wrote in Greek. A major author.
Places lived
- 425 to 445Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)lawyer and historianyears not sureHe may have studied law at Berytus first. No source gives the years.
Works
1 work, in the order they were written. 1 work can be read here.
- Church HistoryA history of the church from 324 to 425.163,396 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born not sure
- No ancient source. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Sozomen'.
- Place of birth probable
- Sozomen, Church History 5.15 (his grandfather's village)
- Died not sure
- He wrote for Theodosius II, who died in 450; nothing later is known
- Place of death not known
- No ancient source names a place.
- Constantinopolis, years not sure
- Sozomen, Church History 2.3.10 and the dedication
- Constantinopolis, place sure
- Sozomen, Church History 2.3.10 and the dedication