Continuation of the Chronicle of Eusebius

The Chronological Canon of James of Edessa. [E. W. Brooks]In Brit Mus. Add. MS 14,685, dating from the 10th or 11th century , are contained fragments of a chronicle by a certain ܥܩܘܒ ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ or James Philoponos. On fol. 1 the title is given as 'A Chronicle in continuation of that of Eusebius of Kaisareia' composed by James ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ". This title is howeverpreceded by a few lines recording the deaths of Licinius and Martin, which must be supposed to form the conclusion of a version of the Chronicle of Eusebius; but whether this is by the same author as the chronicle following there is nothing in the MS to show. The chronicle begins with a long introduction, which is published in full in Wright's Catalogue of the Syriac MSS p. 1062 ff., followed by a discussion of an error of 3 years in the reckoning of Eusebius and a list of dynasties contemporary with the Roman Empire (Wright CBM p. 1064) . After this introductory matter, which occupies 9 folios, we have the chronicle proper, which begins on fol. 10 with the 21st year of Constantine (326), and extends with several gaps down to the year 630, where it breaks off. In the middle of each page is a chronological canon, in which the years from the beginning of the chronicle are equated with the Olympic years and the years of the Roman, Persian, and Arabic sovereigns. It would appear also that originally an equation with the Seleucid reckoning was given every ten years;

but in our MS only a few of these remain, and of these a large proportion are incorrect . At each side of the canon, and sometimes also above and below it, historical notices are inserted. It is probable that originally each notice was written against a particular year in the canon; but such juxtaposition is easily lost in copying, |262 and little confidence can be placed in the dates derived from the position of the notices in our MS . In a few cases however a consulate or a Seleucid or regnal year is given in the text.

As the fragments are at present bound up, several of them are in the wrong order: thus a little examination makes it clear that the fragments on fols. 11 and 13 belong to the same folio, while other corrections may be made by simply observing the years in the canon: such corrections are mentioned in the notes on the text below. As to the author, the same name ܥܩܘܒ ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ occurs also as that of the scribe of Add. MS 17,134, written in 675 (Wright CBM p. 336). Wright in both cases identifies the writer with. James of Edessa, and in the case of 17,134 supports the identification by arguments given on p. 338; and I may here add that the careful transliteration of Greek names noted by Wright in 17,134 is found also in 14,685, but, as is natural in the case of a copy, with less perfect accuracy.

M. Nau however in an article in the Journal Asiatique 1898 contests the identification on the following grounds. 1. James of Edessa is never called ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ; and, as his chronicle was written after his elevation to the bishopric, he must necessarily have given his episcopal designation, or at any rate it must have been added by a scribe; and even in 17,134 it would have been added afterwards. To this it may be answered that James resigned his see in 688 after an episcopate of 4 years and was not restored till 4 months before his death in 708; hence, if the chronicle was written during these 20 years, he could scarcely have used the episcopal title; and, though a scribe might have been expected to supply it, we can hardly affirm that such must necessarily have been the case. In 17,134, written before his elevation, the title could not possibly have been given, and it is surely unreasonable to say that some reader must have added it in the margin. The reason that ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ is not elsewhere found applied to James of Edessa may be sought in the practice of transcribers of giving the titles of works in their own words. If we had the beginning of the chronicle, we should perhaps find the author described as ܥܩܘܒ ܐܘܪܗܝܐ.

2. Our chronicle is too short to be the celebrated work of James of Edessa, and the citations from James in Michael [the Syrian] are not found in it. Moreover our chronicle is a continuation of Eusebius, whereas Gregory [Bar Hebraeus] quotes James as supporting Eusebius, and the Bibliothèque |263 Nationale possesses a MS which contains extracts from the chronicle of James, dealing with a period anterior to Constantine. To this I answer that our chronicle is not the full work of James but only a series of extracts from it. This may be proved from the existing fragments; for on fol. 21 v we find the following statements "And, when he soon died, John came in, the predecessor of Felix, of whom it has been previously stated that he had been expelled", whereas the succession of Felix to John is mentioned on the same page, where there is no gap in the MS, without any mention of an expulsion. Other passages which point to the same conclusion are mentioned in the notes. As to Michael [the Syrian]'s citations, I have examined the MS of Michael [the Syrian] for quotations from James not contained in our text, and the only one which I can find relates to a period long after the point where our MS breaks off; but, even if I have missed any, the fact that our text contains only extracts is a sufficient explanation of their absence.

In the period covered by our MS I find the following citations, from James in Elijah of Nisibis ; (i) Building of Amida AS 660, (ii) Appearance of a cross AS 664, (iii) Death of Ephraim AS 684, (iv) Death of Maurice AS 914, (v) Eclipse of the moon AS 915. Of these (i) occurs word for word, (iii) with only verbal differences, (iv) with some details omitted, in our text: (v) is absent, while; as to (ii), it is not in our present text, but, since something has been lost at the bottom of fol. 11v, we cannot be sure that it was not originally contained in the MS. Besides these Elijah gives a reference to James under AS 698, but through an oversight no historical notice is written there. There can be little doubt that the notice intended was the death of Eulogius of Edessa, which the Edessene Chronicle records under that year. This is not mentioned in our MS, but the accession of Cyrus, which must have formed part of the same notice, is recorded opposite the year 60 (385). This state of things is just what we should expect to find, if the MS contains, as I suppose, a series of extracts from the chronicle of James.

As to the passages which show that the chronicle of James began before the time of Constantine, I have already mentioned that the continuation of Eusebius is preceded by a chronicle dealing with earlier events, and it appears to me most probable that this was the work of the same author. I may add that Michael [the Syrian] expressly states that James of Edessa wrote a translation as well as a continuation of the Chronicle of Eusebius. 3. A hymn of James of Edessa, which is found in the Paris and Vatican MSS which contain the revision of Paul's translation |264 of the hymns of Severus and others by James of Edessa, is not found in Brit Mus. Add. 17,134, which contains the revision of the same translation by James ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ; and in the case of a hymn of Severus which is found both in the Paris and in the London MS the corrections of James found in the latter are absent in the former.

This is easily explained by supposing that the hymn of James was not written in 675, the date of the London MS, but belonged to a later recension, and that in the hymn of Severus the scribe of the Paris MS did not trouble himself to add the corrections. If James did not make any corrections, the collection would not be a revision at all, which it is expressly stated to be . On the other hand the canon of Michael [the Syrian], which is with very few exceptions identical with that of our author, is expressly stated in notes on fol. 81v and fol. 264r to be taken from the canon of James of Edessa from 326, where our author's canon in fact begins, down to 710 . Yet more, in the former of these passages Michael [the Syrian] also informs us that James made a correction of 3 years in the chronology of Eusebius and gave lists of dynasties omitted by him, both of which we find in our MS. Accordingly, if James of Edessa and James ܪܚܡ ܥܡܠܐ are different persons, we must suppose that between 675 and 708 there lived two men who were both named James, both wrote chronological canons beginning in 326, both made a correction in 3 years in Eusebius, both gave lists of dynasties omitted by him, both revised Paul's translation of the hymns of Severus, and were both learned Greek scholars.

I am unable therefore to feel the least doubt as to the identification and have no hesitation in entitling the work "The Chronological Canon of James of Edessa". It is not possible to reproduce in print the exact relation between the canon proper and the historical notices; but in the translation I have placed before each notice the year of the era of James (beginning in 326) to which it appears to correspond; but it must be understood that in many instances it is impossible to say with certainty to which year the scribe meant to refer a notice. I have not thought it necessary to reproduce the canon proper in the translation, but have contented myself with giving the term assigned to each sovereign and the equation for the first year of each together with the equations for the Seleucid years, wherever such are given in the MS. I have added the citations from James in Elijah of Nisibis, which are not contained in our MS: of these those which relate to the period after 622 have |265 already been published by Dr. Baethgen in his edition of the later portion of the chronicle of Elijah (Abh. für die Kunde des Morgenlandes Bd. 8); but for the sake of completeness I repeat them here. I have also added a citation in Michael [the Syrian], which, as it relates to a period after the death of James, must be taken from the continuator. The introductory portion of the chronicle (fols. 1-9) does not appear to be worth publication, and I have therefore confined myself to the chronological canon which begins on fol. 10.

As the MS unfortunately breaks off before the Arab invasion, the fragments are: valuable rather for the light which they throw on the works of Theophanes, Michael [the Syrian], and other authors who drew directly or indirectly from James than for any direct historical information which they supply. The MS gives us however more detailed information as to the length of the reigns of the Persian kings, Ardashir II; Shahpuhr III, and Warahran IV, than is provided by any other authority, and it adds several names to our list of the bishops of Edessa in the 6th and 7th centuries. Among these occurs the name of Paul, whose accession is assigned to the year 604; and, since under the year 606 we are told that the bishops of the East fled to Egypt before the Persians, and we know from other sources that after the conquest of Egypt the patriarch and other Egyptians fled to Cyprus, there can be little doubt that this is the Paul, bishop of Edessa, who, while seeking refuge from the Persians in Cyprus , translated the hymns of Severus, John, son of Aphthonia, and John Psaltes, whose identity has hitherto been a matter of considerable doubt.

Words and letters supplied from conjecture to fill gaps in the MS are enclosed in square brackets, but no alteration has been made in the text. In the translation I have placed all the notices on the right of the canon proper on each page before those on the left. This of course violates the chronological order and sometimes causes awkwardness, as on fol. 21v, where the reference to the notice of the succession of Pope Felix appears to precede the notice itself; but on the other hand to arrange the notices chronologically would often separate notices which are clearly meant to be read together, and, seeing how very doubtful the dates are, it would be an unsatisfactory plan to arrange the notices in accordance with them.

AddendaAt the end of the article, p.327, Brooks adds these notes: p. 262. According to Elias of Nisibis (fol. 88 r) the chronicle of James was written in AS 1003 (= 692 AD). p. 263. Elias of Nisibis also cites James for the death of Phocas and accession of Heraclius (AS 921), where his sentence is in a somewhat different form from that in our MS. 1. 1) Wright CBM p. 1062. 2. 2) It also contains a fragment of a list of Emperors (fol. 6v) extending from Augustus to Maximinus Thrax. This seems to have formed part of the discussion of the error in Eusebius. 3. 3) The Seleucid years, being placed not in the canon proper but in notes at the side, are easily misplaced. 4. 1) In some instances a mark of reference is Inserted to show to which year the notice belongs. 5. 2) That is if the lost earlier portion of the MS was also the work of James: see below.

6. 1) Syr. 306. 7. 2) Brit. Mus. Or. 4402. 8. 3) Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 7,197. 9. 4) fol. 81v. 10. 5) Syr. 337. 11. 6) Assem. BO 1. p. 487. 12. 1) ܒܗ ܒܬܘܪܨܐ ܚܕܬܐ ܕܥܩܘܒ ܐܘܪܗܝܐ 13. 2) James died in 708, but the note on fol. 264r explains that the canon was continued by one of his pupils down to 710. 14. 1) The date is clearly too early, but this docs not affect the accuracy of the fact. That the chronology is here confused is shown by the fact that the ordination of Cyrus of Alexandria, which did not take place till 631/32, is assigned to 610. 15. 2) Wright CBM p. 336. Moreover Paul, the translator of Gregory, was in Cyprus in 624 (id. p. 423).

The Chronicon of Jacob of EdessaTranslated by E.W.Brooks Fragments of this chronicle are preserved in Ms. British Museum Add. 14,685, which according to Wright was written in the 10 or 11 century. The author is named as Jacob Philoponus or "lover of work", who is the same as Jacob of Edessa, so Wright believes, based on the comparison of excerpts of the work of Jacob of Edessa quoted by Michael the Syrian. The canon itself, which begins on folio 10r, is a continuation of the Chronicon of Eusebius of Caesarea; to it a preface is prefixed, in which the work of Eusebius is corrected and supplemented. In the manuscript as we now have it, the fragments are disordered: fol. 12v should be read before 12r, and fol. 18v before 18r, folios. 11 and 13 come from one and the same folio, and likewise foll. 19 and 20; and two fragments which are contained on fol. 19 ought to be joined together.

The fragments go no further than the year 942 of the Seleucid era (= 631 AD), but the canon, as we learn from Michael , was continued until the year 1021 AS. Michael notes that Jacob himself died two years before, so that the last two years must be supposed to have been added by a pupil. But Elias of Nisibis states that Jacob wrote the Chronicon in 1003 AS (=692 AD). If this is so, 18 years must be attributed to a continuator. The canon of years was copied by Michael, and so parts missing from the manuscript can be very easily replaced. Similarly that author quotes several passages completely from the preface which are mutilated in our manuscript. Also in Elias of Nisibis excerpts are quoted as testimonies, either from the preface, which he calls the Chronicon, or from the Canon itself, which we have used in editing the work.

Among the sources used for the canon are Socrates, Theodoret, the Chronicle of Edessa, John of Ephesus, the so-called History of Zacharias Rhetor, and perhaps catalogues of emperors, kings and bishops. In the preface, as well as the chronography of Eusebius, James used some Alexandrians, perhaps Anianus and Andronicus, and a catalogue, it seems, of the kings of Persia. The start of the preface was translated in the catalogue by the most excellent Dr. Wright; the canon I myself in the year 1899 edited with an English translation and commentary: the text of the whole work is here translated for the first time. Many places, which in the previous edition of the canon were left lacunose or filled up wrongly, I have now filled and corrected from Michael. The layout of the manuscript both in the text of the canon and the translation I have been able to exactly imitate: in the translation I have filled in lacunas in the canon of years, but in the text it did not seem worth the labour to do so.

Bibliographic notice: You may read a description of the manuscript in Wright, Catalogue of syriac MSS. in the British Museum, p. 1062-1064. Editions: W. Wright, op.cit. p. 1062, 1063. London, 1872. Text of the exordium. E.W.Brooks, The chronological canon of James of Edessa (Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesellschaft, Bd. LIII, p.261 ff and p. 550). Canon with English translation. - Cf. also ibid., p. 534 f. (notes by Sigismund Fränkel). - See also F. Nau, Notice sur un nouveau ms. de l'Octoechus de Sévère d'Antioche et sur l'auteur Jacques Philoponus ( Journal asiatique, ser. IX., tom. XII, p. 346 f.) Ed. Chabot, p. 453. British Museum Addit. Ms. 7197, f. 88r.

The Chronicle of James of Edessap.288 Constantine the emperor apportioned and assigned money to the churches, and [apportioned it] also to the widows and to all who were occupied in divine service. PERSIANS Sapor 69 yrs ROMANS Constantine 32 yrs

Aithalloho,] the 19th bishop, [was] celebrated in Edessa, [and James] in Nisibis; and both of them were present [at] the [Synod of Nicaea]. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — stood — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — —ius — — — — — emperor — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — not on account of the finding [of the cross — — ], but on account of the building — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Constantine [sent] letters everywhere, both to all the bishops about [the peace] of the churches, and also to Macarius, bishop of Jerusalem about the building of [the church] of our Saviour, and [ordered] the bishops, [and also ordered] Eusebius to place in order the sacred books. 276th Olympiad 277th Olympiad 278th Olympiad p.289 — — — — — — Athanasius [returned] at [the beginning] of the reign of Constantine the younger. For <his father(?)> also, [before] he died, was ready to restore him. He sent a message also to the Alexandrines by a royal letter, in order that they might receive him. 36th, Constantine with his brothers, [24] yrs. [Jul]ius [the 33 bishop,] was appointed in the church of [Rome] for 15 years. Maximus, the 42nd bishop, was appointed in the church of Jerusalem; His right eye had been knocked out in the heathen persecutions. Barni was appointed to succeed Habsay as 21st bishop in Edessa (1).

279th Olympiad 13. At this [time] the Iberians also are attracted to Christianity by means of a certain Christian woman, who had gone to that country as a captive. At this time again Shabur raises a persecution against the Christians throughout his country, and in it many are martyred for Christ's sake. Shabur goes up to make war against Nisibis, and he returns from it in shame through the prayers of James the bishop; and immediately he goes in wrath and carries off captives from the whole of the land between [the rivers] and devastates it in the year [649]. [At] this time time this Synod was assembled (2). p.290 [But, since Eu]stathius, bishop of Antioch, had been sent into] exile in the lifetime of the elder Con[stantine, the ortho]dox ordain in place of Eustathius P[aulinus], while [the Arians] appointed Eulalius: and, when he [lived] but a short time, they put [Euphro]nius in his place: and, when [he] also did not [live long], Flacciltelas(3) was appointed by the A[rians] to succeed him, [and after] his death they ordain Stephen. And the Arians occupied all the churches of Antioch, while Paulinus [had] only [one] little one.

[Now] in Constantinople, after Alexander fell asleep, who ruled the church 23 years, the orth[odox] ordain Paul, and the Arians Macedonius: [and, when] Paul was driven out by [the Arians], Macedonius came in — — — — — — — — — — — — he brought Eusebius from [Nikomedeia — — — ] and rejected both of them. 1) Michael (fol. 86 r) mentions these bishops, but not the Edessa Chronicle or Gregory, in both of which authorities Abraham is the immediate successor of Aithalloho. In the list of bishops in Mich. fol. 415r the succession is Aithalloho, Abraham, Eulogius, Rabbulo, Aithalloho, Habsi, Barni, Abraham, Barse, Eulogius. 2) Possibly the Synod of Tyre is meant. The imperfect notice shows that our MS did not contain the full chronicle of James. 3) Flaccilus or Placitus; the two names seem to have been confused by the Syriac writers. p.291 A synod [at Antioch], and it performed the dedication.

ROMANS

Sapor Constantius Constantius ) the emperor [inclined] to the opinion of the Arians, [and] through him [they did] whatever [they wished]. When James, bishop of Nisibis, died, Walgash was appointed to succeed him. Athanas[ius] is immediately banished for the second time; and he fled and went to Julius at Rome; and with him [was] Constans the emperor, who [assembled] a synod at Serdica in the matter of Athanasius. And [two] bishops are sent by Constans from Rome to Antioch [to] Constantius, [Euphratas] and Vincent: and [Stephen prepared] a plot [against them.] ) At this time Antony the hermit was celebrated for asceticism. Constantine, the eldest emperor, died, when he had reigned 3 years. 280th Olympiad p.292 [When Constans had reigned for 6 years at Rome, and also his nephew [Constant]ine the younger, the son [of his brother Constantine had reigned] for 3 years, they are both killed [by the soldiers] by the advice of Magnentius and Bretanio, while [Nepotian] also, who was of the royal family [and] had assumed the sovereignty in Rome, [is killed by the soldiers of] Magnentius. Magnentius accordingly [was in possession of] (3) the whole of Italy and Africa, while Bretanio (4) [was] proclaimed [at Si]rmium.

But Constantius the emperor, when [he heard of] all these things, marched hastily against the usurpers, and when he had fought and [overcame] them [he ruled] alone. 1) Ms. = Constantinus. 2) Supplemented from Michael the Syrian. 3) This is the sense required. 4) Vetranio.

ROMANS

Sapor Constantius Constantine ) makes war with the Franks and overcomes them. And the same year there were many earthquakes in the East, and especially at Antioch, throughout the year. [A]thanas[ius is banished for the 3 time, and] the Arians ordain George, [a man of] their [opinions, to succeed him] at Alexandria. 281st Olympiad p.293 The year 660 of the Greeks. This year Constantius built the city of Amida between the rivers; and the same year the Romans fought a battle with the Persians by night. [There are some] who say that in the year [6]58 of the Greeks the city of Amida was built. 282nd Olympiad A synod is held at Milan about the faith and about Athanasius; and they hold to the holy definition of faith drawn up at Nikaia and acquit Athanasius. p.294 This year, the 15 [of C]onsta[n]t[ius], was the battle between Constantius and Ma[g]nentius. Liberius, the 34 bishop, was appointed in the church [of] the Romans for 7 years. Ephraim, the Syrian doctor, was distinguished at Nisibis at this time. [The city of] Tella between the rivers was built and was called [Cons]tant[ia], which [was] formerly called [Antipolis].

[Liberius, bishop] of Rome, is sent into exile — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

ROMANS

Magnentius killed himself, and Decentius his brother was strangled. Constant[ius] gives orders, and Gallus the Caesar is put to death in the year 666. Constantius makes Julian, the brother of Gallus, Caesar in the year 667. Sapor Constantius 283rd Olympiad Da[masus], the 35 bishop, [was appointed] in the church of the Romans for 19 years. Leontius of Antioch died, and immediately Eudoxius of Germanicia seizes the see of that city. [In this time Abraham Qidunaya followed the ascetic life]. At this time Apollinaris was notable. 284th Olympiad p.295 Upon the death of Arseni[u]s, whom the Arians appointed in Jerusalem, [who] was the 44 bishop, Herakleios, an Arian, succeeded as the 45, and after him Hilarion, the 46. At this time Aetius, who was the teacher of Eunomius, was distinguished. Julian the Caesar rebels against the emperor Constantius; and, when the emperor heard of the rebellion of Julian, he went out from Antioch to march against him and died in Cilicia.

When Eudoxius was expelled from Antioch, he expelled Macedonius from Constantinople and occupied the church there. Afterwards the Arians appoint Meletius to succeed Eudoxius at Antioch. When then Meletius did not teach in accordance with the opinion of the Arians, they expel him and appoint Euzoius in his place; but he was appointed in the church of the orthodox in the city. And some of the orthodox, avoiding the communion of Meletius, appointed [Paulinu]s, an old man, to be their bishop [by the instrumentality of Lucifer], because of what has already previously [been stated] above [that he was appointed to succeed Eus]tathius. 1) Supplemented from Michael the Syrian. 2) From the Chronicle of Edessa and Michael the Syrian

37th of the ROMANS

At [this] time Eusebius [bishop of Samosata] was celebrated — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Sapor Julian [for 1 year 7 months] 285th Olympiad p.296 Upon the death of Julian they appoint Jovian [emperor] over them. He, making amity and peace [with Sapor, gave] him Nisibis.

38th of the ROMANS

Athanasius returns to Alexandria from his fourth exile and occupies the see for 6 years. Jovian after reigning 7 months only, died in Bithynia. And when Eunomius had been expelled, he separated himself from the Arians then they became two parties. There was a great earthquake; and there was a synod of bishops [at L]ampsacus in the 7 year [after] that of Seleucia. Sapor Jovian [for 7 months] [The] anger of God happens at Alexandria. 39th Valentinus with Valens his brother and Gratian, for 14 years 680th year of the Greeks There was a great earthquake and Nicaea fell, in the 286th Olympiad [p.297] month of Tesrin I, on the 11th day. And in that year there was another earthquake.(2) Procopius the tyrant died in the 2 year of the emperors. There is a great and marvellous hail in Constantinople. Gratian became emperor on the 24 [of] August in the 3 [year] of the emperors. One synod is assembled [ in] Illyricum, and another at Rome, [ and] they confirm the confession of the consubstantiality.

287th Olympiad The emperors write to the bishops of Asia and to all the bishops of the diocese of the East, and they confirm the confession and faith of Nicaea. [Eudoxius died] in the 3 [year] of the two emperors, which is [the year 678 of the Greeks, and] the Arians [ordained] D[em]ophilos. (3) 1) This event relates to year 40 of the Chronicle. 2) This event relates to year 41. 3) It is hard to see how this sentence can be filled up except as above; but either some unusual expression was used or there is a copyist's error. Eudoxius did not in fact die until 370, the 6 year of Valentinian and Valens: cf. also ann. 45 (370), where Eudoxius is represented apparently as still alive. p.298 Valens went out against the barbarians, who had crossed the river Istros; and he fought and overcame them, and expelled them from the land of the Romans. Further also, when he made peace with them, he put constraint upon them, and all the Goths became Arians by the advice of the impious Eudoxius.

ROMANS

Sapor Valens — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — were deceived [ — — by Eudoxius] the impious — — and accepted [the opinion] of the Arians. After Athanasiu[s] had served the bishopric 4[6] years, and had made 28[4] bishops, and had been sent into exile [p.299] five times, he fell asleep piously on the 2nd of Iyar; and after him Peter, the 20th bishop, was appointed in the church of the Alexandr[ines] for 7 years. [Valen]s [makes] a persecution against the orthodox and sends many bishops into exile. Athanasius the combatant also is expelled from his church for the 5th time, and the Arians ordain Lucius in his place, whom the Samosatenes expelled from their city. 288th Olympiad The orthodox are expelled from the church of the Edess[enes] by the Arians, and Bar[se] the bishop is also [sent] into exile.

10th Ardashir son of Sapor, for 3 years and 8 months The blessed my lord Ephraim, having been celebrated in Edessa up to this time, died in the year 684 of the Greeks on the 9th of June. At this time Gregory, hishop of Nazianzos, is established in Constantinople by the orthodox bishops to look after the believers there; for he was celebrated at that time, as were Basil of Caesarea, and Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sebasteia, the brothers of Basil. Valentinian died after a reign of 12 years, and Gratian his son ruled after him, who had also been made αὐτοκράτωρ in his father's lifetime at Rome. At this [time] Libanius the s[ophist] was distinguished at Antioch. And [at] Alexandria] Didymos, [a blind man], was celebrated as an expounder of the Scriptures and of the authors. In the same Antioch also Afrahat the monk too was celebrated for asceticism, who also reproved Valens.

The Arabs rise up against the land of the Romans [— — — and] a woman, [whose name was Mu`awiya,] reigned over them. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — they made peace — — — — — — cleverness — — — — — — — — p. 300 [Valens] gave [license to the pagans] to sacrifice [at Antioch, and also to the Jews] that they might govern themselves according — — —. Only against the orthodox he stirred up a persecution, allowing the Arians to do with them whatever they pleased. For this reason therefore, when he was in Nicomedia, he gave orders that some presbyters, [who] had come to him from Byzantium [to] accuse the Arians, should be burnt with the ship [on which] they had come in the midst of the sea; and in fact they were burnt.

ROMANS

Ardashir Valens 289th Olympiad Isaac the monk, who was celebrated at this time, was distinguished in Constantinople; who reproved Valens, when he went out to fight with the Goths and Avars(?) and was killed there. For, when [the Romans] were defeated [and] fled, the barbar[ians] found him [in a village] and burnt him with fire together with it. [As] they said (?), when his brother was alive, [and he asked him for help] against the ba[r]barians, [he said, "It is not lawful to] help a man who fights with God". p.301 40th, Theodosius, for 16 years and 8 months Year 690 of the Greeks. 11th Sapor, for 4 years and 4 months 290th Olympiad The city of Rhesaina between the rivers was built. p.302 [In the year 69]1 of the Greeks, which is the 4 year of Theodosius), [he assembled a synod of bish]ops in the royal city of Constantinople, who] anathematized Macedonius, the fighter against the Spirit, and those who shared his [opinions].

When the synod met, it dismissed Gregory, that he might go to Nazianzos, and appointed Nectarius 6 bishop there. 1) According to the canon of James AS 691 (380) is the 2 year of Theodosius. The error is perhaps due to a confusion between two authorities, since the Chronicle of Edessa places the synod in AS 693. The year 58, to which the notice seems to be assigned, answers to the 5th of Theodosius; but, as the notice is at the top of a page, we should perhaps refer it to the last year on the preceding page, i. e., 57 = the 4th of Theodosius.

ROMANS

Sapor Theodosius Upon the death of Meletius the great in the Synod Flavian is appointed in his place as 33 bishop in the church of Antioch. Arcadius was proclaimed emperor by his father. The other orthodox party in Antioch [after] Paulinus appoint [Evagrius] bish[op] over them. At this time were celebrated the bishops Amphilochius of Iconium, Ambrose of [M]ilan, [Op]timus of Antioch in Pisidia, and Diodoros of Tarsos. 12th, Warahran Garmanshah, son of Sapor the great, brother of Ardashir and Sapor who were before him, for ten years and 11 months. Theophilus was appointed 22 bishop in Alexandria for 27 years. p.303 Cyrus was appointed 25 bishop in Edessa. 291st Olympiad Year 700 of the Greeks. 292nd Olympiad The Emperor Valentinian died and Eugenius rebelled. — — — — — — — of Theophilus the bishop — — — — — showed intense eagerness to — — — — Constantinople.

p.304

ROMANS

Warahran Theodosius — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — at Antioch — — — — — — — — — — 293rd Olympiad [John] the ascetic was distinguished at this time in Egypt; to [whom] Theodosius [sent] — — — — — — — — — — — — — usurper — — — — — but — — — — — — — — and victory — — — and [his] death — — — — — . But, when he was ready to march, he proclaimed [his] son Honor[ius] emperor. Anastasius was appointed 37th bishop in the church of Rome. Theodosius marched against Eugenius the tyrant: and, when they joined battle, the tyrant was defeated and killed in the 3rd consulship of Arcadius and the 2nd of Honorius. p.305 13th Yezdigerd son of Sapor for 21 years.

[Theodos]ius died, [and Arcad]ius [and Honorius reigned after] him, [Arcadius] at Constantinople, [and Honorius at Rome.] 41st reigned Arcadius with Honorius for 13 years. Arbogast killed himself — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — p.306

ROMANS

Yezdegerd Arcadius [Upon the death of Nectarius John, who was called] Ch[rysostom, was appointed 5th bishop in Constantinople, who was brought] from Antioch to [Constantinople]. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — [and Sisinn]ius, — — — — — — — a learned man, was distinguished at [this] time. 294th Olympiad 295th Olympiad [Gainas] the Goth raised a rebellion against Arcadius; and [on fighting taking place he was defeated] in the consulship. of Stilicho and Aurelian, or, [as some] say, in the following consulship. [At this time] some monks are sent by John to Phoenicia by the emperor's [orders] to destroy the temples of the heathen and to break in pieces the idols and graven images. p.307 Theodore, [bishop] of M[opsuestia, a city] in C[ilicia], was distinguished at this time as an expounder of the Scriptures — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

In Edessa, [after the death of Peqida Diogenius was appointed 28th bishop]. Accusations are made against John the bishop, and he is sent into exile, and Arsacius is appointed to succeed him there as 6th bishop. Then [after] John's deposition the dioceses of east [and west] are in schism. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — legation — — — — — — — — — — — — of the Romans * p.308 296th Olympiad

ROMANS

Yezdegerd Arcadius 42nd Theodosius, for 42 years 297th Olympiad 298th Olympiad 14th Warahan, son of Yezdegerd, for 22 years 299th Olympiad — — — — — — — — — — — — also — — — And , when they were drawn up in battle array [the Persians were conquered, and seven generals of the Persians] were killed by Ardabu[riu]s, the Roman general, [and by Areobindus and Bitia]nus, the Roman generals. The Saracens also were drowned in the Euphrates [who came to the help for the Persians] — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1) For this year see the Chronicle of Marcellinus for 421, and the Chronicon Paschale p. 579. 2) Supplemented from Michael the Syrian. 3) Supplemented from Socrates Scholasticus.

ROMANS

Warahran Theodosius 300th Olympiad 301st Olympiad 302nd Olympiad 303rd Olympiad

ROMANS

Warahran Theodosius * p. 309 * 15th Yezdegerd, son of Warahan, for 19 years 304th Olympiad Dioskoros was appointed 24 bishop in the church of Alexandria for 8 years. Leo was appointed 43 bishop in the church of Rome for 21 years. 305th Olympiad 306th Olympiad p.310 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — and of the monk Barsauma. Upon the expulsion of Domnos and Hibo Nonnos was appointed in Edessa, and in Antioch Maximus, the 41 bishop.

ROMANS

Yezdegerd Theodosius 307th Olympiad In Constantinople Anatolius was appointed 13th bishop. 43rd Marcian, for 6 years and 6 months At this time — — — — — — — — — — — — — 308th Olympiad 16th Piruz (son of Yezdegerd) for 27 years 44th Leo for 18 years 1) From here to 152 added by the editor. 2) Missing from Michael. p. 311. — — — — — — — — way — — — fervent, shunning [the communion] of the bishops who had swerved from [the faith], those of Jerusalem [appointed Theodosiu]s [in place of Juvenal], while those of Alexandria [appointed Timothy in place of Proterius]. In like manner also in many places — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —. But the bishops who had swerved from [the faith, since] they were [not accepted] by the churches, and they would not endure their [communion], not considering their folly, — — — — — — — — — [out of] desire of power made use of worldly authorities and [the sword of tyranny — — — — ] to get possession of churches and sees [and the flock — — — — which] was purchased with the blood of Christ. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

ROMANS

Piruz Leo 309th Olympiad 310th Olympiad

ROMANS

ROMANS

Piruz Leo Piruz Leo 313th Olympiad 311th Olympiad 45th Leo the less, for 1 year 46th Zeno, for 16 years Basilicus usurped the imperium, and he and his son Marcus reigned for two years. 312th Olympiad 314th Olympiad p.312 patrician — — — — — — — — — — his son — — — — — — — — — —

ROMANS

Piruz Zeno — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — ) — — — — And after a short time [Peter was expelled], and after him Calandion, a Nestorian, was 45th bishop. In Alexandria, on the death of [Timothy] Salofaciolus ) Peter, [who is called] Mongos, [succeeded him as] 26th [bishop. But,] when [Zeno heard of it,] Peter is expelled [after a] short [time] from Alexandria, and Salofaciolus [ took his place.] In Jerusalem Martyrius was appointed 52nd [bishop]. 315th Olympiad 17th Valash (son of Yezdegerd) for 4 years 316th Olympiad 18th Qawad son of Piruz for 11 years 317th Olympiad p.313 — — — — — — — — — — — — — Calandion of Antioch [was] also an accomplice. For this reason, when after 3 years these men had

Sallustius [was appointed] 53 [bishop] in Jerusalem. 47th Anastasius the Silentiary for 27 years been overcome by Zeno, Calandion also was expelled from Antioch, and Peter came in again by the emperor's orders. Leontius and Illous are taken and killed. Theoderic came as far as Rhegion Malanthiodes(?), and he went on and passed into Thrace; and he burnt and destroyed much property and withdrew. Theoderic the usurper entered Rome; and Arcadius (3) the Anti-Caesar, who had been appointed there by Zeno, fled before him to Ravenna; and [he carried off captives from the whole area of Italy. Zenon gave orders, and Pelagius 4) was strangled — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1) In this lacuna is a fragment containing the name of Kalandion, and another containing the name of Patrick or 'patrician'. 2) Clearly an error for Timothy Aelurus. Chron. Edess. LXVIII. 'Dion.' (Rev. de l'Or. Chret. 1897). 3) Actually Odoacer. 4) Bishop of Crete.

fled — — — — — — — — — — — — —

ROMANS

Qawad Anastasius Upon the death of [Palladius Flavian was appointed 47th bishop] in Antioch. [In Alexandria John was appointed] 28 bishop. 318th Olympiad Euphemius having been expelled from Constantinople, [after him as 18th bishop was Macedonius. (3) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — sedition —— — — — — — — of the Isaurians — — — 319th Olympiad The payment of gold (4) [was remitted] to the workmen [throughout the land] of the Romans. [A large number of locusts], came, but [did] not [do much damage. Zamasph, brother of Qawad, revolted and reigned 2 years. There was] a great earthquake, [and the hot spring of Abarne] was dried up [for three days.] * p.315 * Qawad killed his brother and reigned 30 years. [A comet] appeared. 320th Olympiad A large number of locusts [damaged] all the crops, and [there was] a severe famine throughout the land between the rivers.

A great fire appeared in the northern quarter and burned throughout the night. And immediately after a short time the Huns went out and made war with the Persians. Kawad came from Armenia [and encamped against] the city of Amida between the rivers, [and, when] he had taken it, he massacred within [it] eighty thousand men. 3) The fragment that follows refers to the rebellion of the Isaurians. (4) The Chrysargyrum. P. 316. Qawad came against Edessa, which he was unable to attack — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — [Five] Roman [generals] are sent out; and they fought [against Nisibis] and could not take it. For this reason Dara is built on the frontier of the Romans.

ROMANS

Anastasius was appointed 48th bishop in the church of Rome. Qawad Anastasius Elias was appointed 54th bishop in the church of Jerusalem. John was appointed 29th bishop in the church of Alexandria for 11 years. 321st Olympiad Year 820 of the Greeks Simeon, bishop of Beth Arsham, was celebrated in prison at this time. The emperor gives orders [to open the coffin] of the martyr Euphe[mia and bring out] from there the ordinance laid down by the Synod [ of Chalcedon] and burn it. 322nd Olympiad Paul was appointed 34th bishop in Edessa. Vitalian rebelled [against the emperor]; and, when H[ypatius] went against him, he was defeated and taken prisoner by him. When Macedonius was banished from Constantinople, Timothy took his place as 19th bishop. And in Antioch, when Flavian was banished, Severus was appointed 48th bishop. Dioscorus was appointed 30th bishop in Alexandria for [ 3] years. 323rd Olympiad

Anastasius died on [the 9th] of tammuz (1). A great and terrible comet appeared in the East. Elijah was banished from Jerusalem, and John was appointed 55th bishop. Symmachos was appointed 49th bishop in Rome for 6 years. 324th Olympiad John was appointed 20th bishop in Constantinople, while in Rome Hormisdas was appointed 50th bishop. 48th Justin for 9 years When Justin became emperor, [he accepted] the synod of Chalcedon; and Severus [withdrew] from Antioch, and Paul the Jew [was appointed 49th] bishop there. [And after] one year they banished him; and Euphrasius [was appointed] 50th bishop. In the first year of Justin, Vitalian, after being reconciled, was killed, he and Paul the notary and Celerian his domestic. In the 2nd year of Justin John, bishop of Constantinople, died, and [Epiphanius] took his place [as 21st bishop]. Amantius the provost and Theocritus and Andrew the chamberlain were put to death, because they tried to prevent the proclamation [of the Synod of Chalcedon].

(1) July. p. 318. There went out an order [from the emperor to] the soldiers that they should all assent [to the Synod] of Chalcedon: and in fact they assented. [Corinth] was overthrown by an earthquake (3). The Homerites were martyred in the town of Nigron. There was a flood in Edessa.

ROMANS

[Paul assembled the bish]ops [of Syria and restored to] their churches [all those who] accepted the Synod of Chalcedon. Qawad Justin [Asclepius] was appointed [35th] bishop in Edessa. John was appointed 51st bishop in Rome; after him as the 52nd bishop was Felix. 325th Olympiad [Timothy was appointed 31st] bishop [in Alexandria for 17 years. Antioch and Seleucia were overthrown in an earthquake. A cross of light appeared in the sky in the northern quarter, and the church of Antioch was burnt. [In Jerusalem Macarius was appointed] 56th bishop; after him was [Peter, the 57th bishop] (1). The Persians and Saracens came as far as the districts of Antioch and Apameia. 326th Olympiad Ephraim was appointed 51st bishop in Antioch. There was a riot in Constantinople, and the church was burned, and Hypatius was put to death. Anthimos was appointed 22nd bishop in Constantinople. 49th Justinian for 38 years Andrew was appointed 36th bishop in Edessa.

The Persians came to the land between the rivers and fought against Martyropolis, and they laid many places waste and carried off captives from them. Addai was appointed 37th bishop in Edessa. 327th Olympiad In Rome Bonofatius was appointed 53rd bishop; and, when he soon died, John entered upon the see, the predecessor of Felix, of whom it was previously stated that he had been expelled (2): and after [surviving] a short time he died, [and] Agapetus became 54th bishop. The Huns went out and carried off captives and devastated as far as the districts of Antioch. Rufinus and Hermogenes, the master of the offices, were sent by Justinian to Khosru; and he made peace for 7 years. 18th (3) Khosrau son of Qawad, for 47 years The Samaritans rebelled and set up a chief for themselves; and the Romans came and massacred them. [And] Justinian assembled before him the expelled bishops; and Severus came to him with many others, and they speak about the peace of the churches: and they did not effect anything, because Agapetus prevented it.

328th Olympiad Belisarius the general went and took Carthage and brought the usurper, who had rebelled there, prisoner; and with him came also Agapetus of Rome and died in Constantinople; and Silverius took his place in Rome as 55th bishop. 329th Olympiad Upon the departure of Anthimus Menas was appointed 23rd bishop in Constantinople. The orthodox in Alexandria are divided; some [ordain Gaianus, and others] Theodosius, the 32nd bishop: who when he had ministered for 2 years [was expelled — — — —]. (1) James has transposed these two bishops. (2) The succession of John and Felix is mentioned in the opposite column of the same page in the MS (see p. 263), but nothing is there stated as to John being expelled, which shows that our MS is only an epitome of the work of James. (3) Evagrius (4. 8) also places the earthquake of Corinth in the reign of Justin. 'Dionysios' places it in AS 841.

p.320: There was a hard and severe persecution in the land between the rivers, and upon all those who would not consent to communicate with the Synod of Chalcedon: and all the monks were expelled from their cloisters and lived in the open air in the frost; and the winter happened to be a hard one with much frost and snow, so that many men and animals died in it. Ephraim assembled a synod of 132 bishops in Antioch and anathematized the Synod: and there was a severe persecution in Amida, and many were killed. The peace between the kingdoms was broken; and the same, year in Kanun 1) there was a great comet in the evening for 40 days; and then in the same year, [which is the year 850] of the Greeks, Khosru went up [and carried off captives from] Soura and Berrhoia and Ant[ioch] and Apameia and their territories. And the Romans [also] carried off captives from the lands of the K[urds] and the Arzanenians and the Arabs.

ROMANS

Severus died. Vigilius was appointed 56th bishop in Rome. John Philoponus was celebrated in Alexandria at this time. Zoilus was banished from Alexandria, and Apollinarius was appointed. Khosrau Justinian 330th Olympiad And after Ephraim Domninus becomes 52nd bishop in Antioch. Mark became 58th bishop in Jerusalem. Khosrau went up and carried off captives from Callinicus and the whole of the southern portion of the land between the rivers. Two bishops are now ordained in the East by those who did not assent to the Synod of Chalcedon, James and Theodore, because their bishops had failed on account of the persecution of the Chalcedonians. 331st Olympiad There was a great pestilence [throughout] the earth, which began in Ethiopia [above] Egypt in the year 853 of the Greeks, while in the year 854 it spread over the whole district of the East. The Romans went down [with an army] and destroyed much property in the country [of the Persians].

332nd Olympiad Eutychos was appointed 24th bishop in Constantinople. Khosru again went and took Petra, a city in Lazica, and placed a garrison there. Amazon was appointed 38th bishop in Edessa. There was a pestilence among oxen throughout the countries of the East for 2 years, so much so that the fields were left uncultivated for lack of oxen. In the 25th year of the reign of Justinian the emperor the bishops were assembled in Constantinople, and the synod was held which is called [the fifth Synod: and] he commanded them, and they anathematized Theodoret and Theodore and Hibo and their writings. Khosru went and fought against Edessa and carried off captives from Batnai. And thenceforward it happened that the Romans fought against it for [a time; and after] 7 years they defeated the Persians and took it from [them] (2). There was a great famine and scarcity throughout the district of the East; and all this was so severe that, though many ate men, they could not satisfy themselves.

Theodora the empress died. Theo[dosius] and Anthimos and Year 860 of the Greeks many archimandrites were summoned to Constantinople by the emperor [concerning] the peace of the churches. The barbarians took [Rome and] utterly destroyed it; [and ???] fled from it [to Constantinople — — — — — — — — — — — — — peace — — — — (1) December or January. (2) The MS is here out of order, since it is clear that this statement applies not to Edessa, which was never taken by the Persians, but to Petra, and so it in fact appears in Michael the Syrian, who follows the same authority as James.

ROMANS

The emperor commanded that the monks who had been driven away should return to their cloisters. Khosrau Justinian At this time [arose] the heresy of the Agnoetes. 333rd Olympiad Pelagius was appointed 57th bishop in Rome. There appeared fire in the sky in the North for several days. In this way it also appeared like a terrible comet. When the persecution of the believers in the East had ceased a little, [they ordained] for themselves as archbishop in place of Severus a man of Thello called Sergius of the [archive-]house; and he soon died. There was an assembly of many monks from the East before the emperor concerning the peace of the churches; and with them went up also James the bishop. 334th Olympiad In Jerusalem Eustathius was appointed 59th bishop. John was appointed 39th bishop in Edessa (1). The heresy of the Tritheites arose at this time. Those evil things which were done among men by Photius the monk.

John was appointed 58th bishop in Rome. 335th Olympiad In Antioch Anastasius was appointed 53rd bishop. The emperor drew up an edict concerning the faith, and ordered that no one should stir up any question about the faith at all, but that everyone should believe in accordance with the edict, and those who did not assent to it should be driven out. John of Sarmin was appointed 25th bishop in Constantinople after the expulsion of Eutychos his predecessor. In Edessa Epiphanius was appointed [40th] bishop (1). (p. 323) * 50th Justin for 13 years Now the orthodox had the following bishops; in Syria were James and Theodore; and in Constantinople were John of Asia and Theodosius of Alexandria, who died at this time. 336th Olympiad 337th Olympiad The orthodox appoint as archbishop in Syria Paul who came from Alexandria, who is called "of Beth Ukhome". [Anastasius is expelled] from Antioch, and Gregory becomes bishop.

John is sent to Alexandria from Co]nstant[inople] by the [Ch]alcedonians in succession to Ap[ollinarius] (1) Not known from any other source.

ROMANS

ROMANS

Khosrau Justin Hormizd Maurice 20th Khosrau son of Hormizd for 38 years 338th Olympiad 343rd Olympiad 19th Hormizd son of Khosrau for 13 years 339th Olympiad 344th Olympiad 51st Tiberius for 4 years 345th Olympiad 340th Olympiad 52nd Maurice for 20 years 341st Olympiad 342nd Olympiad p. 324 Maurice is killed, and all his sons with him (1). The peace between the Romans and the Persians is dissolved.

ROMANS

Khosrau Maurice Severus, bishop of Edessa, was stoned. 53rd Phocas for 7 years and 8 months The believers in the East made Athanasius archbishop. Narses rebelled against Phocas and came to Edessa and occupied it and was besieged in it. The believers in Edessa had Paul for their bishop, while the Chalcedonians. appoint Theodosius for themselves (2). The Persians took the city of Dara. 346th Olympiad The bishops of, the district of the East (and with them were monks and many people) fled to Egypt before the Persians. The Persians took the fortress of Tur `Abdin. The Persians took the city of Amida, also Tella, also Rhesaina. 347th Olympiad Year 920 of the Greeks In Alexandria Cyrus was appointed bishop for the Chalcedonians. The Romans kill Phocas and make Heraclius emperor. 54th Heraclius for 32 years [The union] of the believers was made in Alexandria ( 3). The Persians took Edessa.

The bishops are expelled — — — — — — — — The Persians conquered the whole of Syria and Phoenicia and Palestine. — — — — — — — — — — — — the Persians from 348th Olympiad Heraclius made [his son] Constantine [Augustus]. — — — — — — — — — — — — — of the Romans — — — — — — — — of the Orient; and he came The Persians took [Egypt] and conquered [Libya]. 349th Olympiad (1) Elias of Nisibis (quoting James) "The year 914. This year Maurice, King of the Romans, was killed, and his wife and his sons, on the 23rd of November: and Phokas reigned after him." (2) This Paul is no doubt the translator of the hymns of Severus and others (Wright CBM. p. 336; cf. Schroder in ZDMG. 31 p. 400; Hallier Untersuchungen uber die Edess. Chronik p. 77). Theodosius is not known from any other source.

(3) Michael the Syrian (fol. 237 r) places this union in AS 921 (AD 610), but, since he ascribes it to the action of Niketas, the date in our text (= AD 611) is more probable. The Liber Chalifarum however assigns it to 618. p. 326

ROMANS

and Mohammed goes down for purposes of trade to the country of Palestine, Arabia, Phoenicia and Tyre. Khosrau Heraclius Isaiah is sent to Edessa as bishop from the land of the Persians. In Alexandria the believers ordained Andronicus bishop. There was an eclipse of the sun. In Alexandria Benjamin was appointed bishop for the believers. Khosru gave orders, and Edessa went into captivity. The Persians carried off captives from the whole of the land of the Romans as far as Bithynia and Asia and as far as the sea of Pontus and devastated it. First king of the Arabs, Mohammed was appointed for 7 years 350th Olympiad The kingdom of the Arabs, whom we call Saracens (1), began when Heraclius, Emperor of the Romans, had reached (2) his 11th year, and Khosrau, King of the Persians, his 31st year. 940th year of the Greeks Cyrus made a persecution against the believers in Alexandria.

351st Olympiad The Arabs began to make incursions into the land of Palestine. The believers in the East ordained John archbishop (3). p.327) The Persians killed Khosrau, and Shirwai became king for 9 [months]. 21st Shirwai son of Khosrau for 9 months And the Edessenes who survived returned from [captivity]. 2nd of the Arabs Abu Bakr for 2 years and 7 months Shahr Warz and Boran and Khosru [and] Piruz and of Azarmidukht [and] Hormizd, of all of them made around [two years]. [Heraclius] and Shahrbarz made [a treaty], and [the Persians] began to come out from [the land of the Romans] and [to go down to their own country]. 22nd of the Persians, Ardashir son of Shirwai for 1 year and 10 months 352nd Olympiad The Jews — — — — — — — (1) Literally "Tayaye". (2) Lit. "had brought"; but the construction is a strange one, and the Syriac is perhaps corrupt.

(3) It is clear that the copyist has placed this notice too early, since the death of John's predecessor Athanasius is recorded by Elijah from James under AH 10 (631): see below. [The British Library manuscript breaks off at this point. The remaining material is from Michael the Syrian, who almost certainly uses James' for this period]. 23rd of the Persians, Boran daughter of Khosrau for 1 year ARABS ROMANS

`Uthman Constantine 3rd of the Arabs, `Umar son of Khattab for 12 years Other Persians for one year 24th of the Persians, Yezdegerd son of Khosrau for 12 years The kingdom of the Arabs is divided in two In the city of Yathrib, `Ali for 5 years, in Syria Mu`awiya Heraclius died and left two sons in the kingdom 55th Constantine for 7 years 5th of the Arabs, Mu`awiya alone for 20 years `Umar was killed and 4th reigned `Uthman for 12 years 56th of the Romans, Constantine and his brothers for 16 years. ARABS ROMANS

Justinian was deposed and 58th reigned Leontius for 3 years Mu`awiya Constantine 59th of the Romans, Tiberius, also known as Apsimarus, for 7 years Mu`awiya died and his son Yazid reigned as 6th king for 4 years. `Abd al-Malik died and his son Walid reigned as 9th king. Justianian reigned again and killed the others (1) Yazid died and the kingdom of the Arabs was divided, and afterwards reigned 7th Marwan for one year. The kingdom of the Arabs was divided among many, and afterwards reigned 8th `Abd al-Malik for 30 years. 57th of the Romans, Justinian for 10 years (1) Leontius and Tiberius. (2) If Elias of Nisibis is correct, this is as far as the tables given by James went. The final few rows which contain the year numbers of `Abd al-Malik and Justinian must be attributed to a continuator.

Brooks gives the following material in two publications: E.W.Brooks "The Chronological Canon of James of Edessa," Zeitschrift für deutschen morgenlandischen Gesellschaft 53 (1899), p. 261-327. This includes an English translation of all the material, but all mixed together rather than as in the sources. E.W. Brooks et al., "Chronicon Iacobi Edesseni", in: Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium 5-6, Scriptores Syri 3-4 (= "Chronica minora 3") (1905-1907). Online here.

From the head of the British Library manuscriptZDMG p.309: The manuscript contains some words from the version of Eusebius, at the top of folio 10: — — — the 1]9 [year] of Shabur, the 9 king of the kingdom [of the Persians]. But according to the era of the Greeks this first [year] is the year 637, and by the Olympiad reckoning it is the first year of the 276 Olympiad, and by the era of Antioch it is the year 374, and by that of Diocletian it is the year 42 ). Constantine made his two elder sons, Constantine and Constantius, Caesars.

Extracts from the Chronicle of James of Edessa preserved in Elias of NisibisThe history of Elias of Nisibis quotes James of Edessa for items not found in the British Library manuscript. In the CSCO publication, on pp.256-7 (online here), Brooks gives a Latin version. Some of the same material is incorporated in the English translation of the chronicle in the ZDMG article, p.309 onwards. This item is organised as Brooks prints it in the CSCO, but the translation of each line is as he gave it in the ZDMG. Brooks indicates the source for the entries in the CSCO p.256 n. 1. I include a couple of the footnotes. 1. (Year 27) The year 664. This year a cross appeared in the sky in the East on the 5 of May. 2. (Year 87) The year 723. This year Rabbulo was appointed bishop of the Jacobites in the city of Edessa. 3. (Year 99) The year 735. This year Honorius, King of the Romans, died on the 15 day of August.

4. (Year 110) The year 746. This year Rabbulo, bishop of Edessa, died, and Hibo succeeded him. 5. (Year 125) The year 761. This year Theodosius, King of the Romans, died on the 11 day of July, and Marcian reigned after him. 6. (Year 132) The year 768. This year Marcian, King of the Romans, died on the 15. day of January, and Leo reigned after him. 7. (Year 134) The year 770. This year Hibo, bishop of Edessa, died, and Nonnos succeeded him. (3) 8. (Year 150) The year 786. This year Leo, King of the Romans, died on the 11 day of January, aud Leo his daughter's son reigned after him for less than a year; and he died, and Zeno reigned after him. ZDMG p.316, note 3: El. Nis. Chronicle of Edessa LXVIII gives the date as 769. In El. Nis. the notice is in a different hand to the rest and is absent in the Arabic version, while the name of the authority is in black instead of red,

9. (Year 166) The year 802. This year Zeno, King of the Romans, died, and Anastasius reigned after him. 10. (Year 193) The year 829. This year Anastasius, King of the Romans, died, in the month of Tammuz on the 9th day; and Justin reigned after him. 11. (Year 202) The year 838. This year Justin, King of the Romans, died, in the month of Tammuz on the 9th day; and Justinian, the son of his sister, reigned after him. 12. (Year 250) The year 886. This year Justin the Caesar made Tiberius the Caesar partner in the kingdom on the 7 of December. 13. (Year 254) The year 890. This year Justin, King of the Romans, died on the 4 of October, and Tiberius reigned after him 14. (Year 257) The year 893. This year Tiberius, King of the Romans, died, and Maurice reigned after him. 15. (Year 278) The year 914. This year Maurice, King of the Romans, was killed, and his wife and his sons, on the 23rd of November: and Phocas reigned after him.

16. (Year 279) The year 915. This year the moon was eclipsed on the night of the fifth day of the week on the 16 of July. 17. (Year 285) The year 921. This year Phocas, King of the Romans, was killed, and Heraclius reigned. 18. (Year 306) The year 10 (of the Arabs). This year Athanasius, patriarch of the Jacobites, died. 19. (Year 314) The year 18. This year there was a severe pestilence throughout the districts of Syria. 20. (Year 351) The year 56. This year appeared a terrible comet in the morning; and it began on the 28th day of August and lasted till the 26th day of October. 21. (Year 360) The year 66. This year Psomiros (1), King of the Romans, came to the throne. ZDMG p. 324 n.1: Justinian II is meant, but the name clearly stands for Apsimar. Elijah or some earlier copyist took the name Tiberius Apsimar for two Emperors and substituted the latter name for Justinian which followed. The same error occurs in his list of Emperors (Brit. Mus. Add. MS 7197 fol. 11 r).

22. (Year 370) The year 75. This year there was a total eclipse of the sun on the first day of the week, the 5th of October, at the fifth hour of the day.

From Michael the Syrian. (from ZDMG p.324)In the year 1019 of the Greeks in July there was a sign, and that was stars which shot or moved about in the. air, which some men call falling stars. And they appeared in every part of the sky, moving about quickly and rapidly the whole night from the southern to the northern quarter, a thing never heard of before since the creation of the world. And learned and holy men, in particular James of Edessa and Moses the son of Al Hugr, wrote with regard to them what was said at the time by those natural philosophers who teach that they are vapour, that is condensed air, and, when it ascends, it comes in contact with the fire above and is burnt. And then the questioner asked them, "Whence has all this condensed air ascended? And where is it concealed?" And they could not then return any answer at all, but were reduced to saying, "Whatever the Lord pleases he does." And the outcome of events showed that these shooting stars denoted the Arabs, who at this time entered the district of the North and slew and burnt and destroyed the district and its inhabitants.

i. e. the continuator. James died in June 708. This fact shows that it is the chronicle, not some other work of James, which is here quoted.