Knowledge Burning: Destruction of Libraries, temples and books in the Fourth Century


	An alternative theory of the history of Christianity
Knowledge Burning by the 4th Century Christians
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia

"This black-robed tribe who eat more than elephants
sweep across the countryside like a river in spate …
and, by ravaging the temples, they ravage the estates"

--- Libanius, Oration 30.9

"The unsanctioned use of force"

--- Libanius, Oration 30.12.
Note: Libabius is often considered to be "an oasis of humane tolerance" in an age of violence.
See A.F. Norman - "Libanius: The Teacher in an Age of Violence"

Knowledge Burning by the 4th Century Christians

Index of Citations Evidencing the Burning and Destruction of Literature - 4th Century
Library/Temple/Book Location/Author Comments Destroyed Perpetrator Sources
Temples of Asclepius Rome, and Italy Many archaeological citations 312-324? Constantine? destruction not recorded.
"Constantine raised to their foundations those [temples] which had been the chief objects of superstitious reverance." Eus VC 3.1.5
Temple of Asclepius Aegae, Cilicia patronised by Apollonius of Tyana 324/325 Constantine Eus VC 3.56-58; SS HE 1.18; Zonaras HE 13.12.30-34; Soz HE 2.5 "This temple was most highly honored and reverenced by the ancients"
Eusebius VC 56: Destruction of the Temple of Aesculapius at Aegae. - FOR since a wide-spread error of these pretenders to wisdom concerned the demon worshiped in Cilicia, whom thousands regarded with reverence as the possessor of saving and healing power, who sometimes appeared to those who passed the night in his temple, sometimes restored the diseased to health, though on the contrary he was a destroyer of souls, who drew his easily deluded worshipers from the true Saviour to involve them in impious error, the emperor, consistently with his practice, and desire to advance the worship of him who is at once a jealous God and the true Saviour, gave directions that this temple also should be razed to the ground. In prompt obedience to this command, a band of soldiers laid this building, the admiration of noble philosophers, prostrate in the dust, together with its unseen inmate, neither demon nor god, but rather a deceiver of souls, who had seduced mankind for so long a time through various ages. And thus he who had promised to others deliverance from misfortune and distress, could find no means for his own security, any more than when, as is told in myth, he was scorched by the lightning's stroke. (2) Our emperor's pious deeds, however, had in them nothing fabulous or feigned; but by virtue of the manifested power of his Saviour, this temple as well as others was so utterly overthrown, that not a vestige of the former follies was left behind.
Eusebius VC 57: How the Gentiles abandoned Idol Worship, and turned to the Knowledge of God. HENCE it was that, of those who had been the slaves of superstition, when they saw with their own eyes the exposure of their delusion, and beheld the actual ruin of the temples and images in every place, some applied themselves to the saving doctrine of Christ; while others, though they declined to take this step, yet reprobated the folly which they had received from their fathers, and laughed to scorn what they had so long been accustomed to regard as gods. Indeed, what other feelings could possess their minds, when they witnessed the thorough uncleanness concealed beneath the fair exterior of the objects of their worship? Beneath this were found either the bones of dead men or dry skulls, fraudulently adorned by the arts of magicians, (1) or filthy rags full of abominable impurity, or a bundle of hay or stubble. On seeing all these things heaped together within their lifeless images, they denounced their fathers' extreme folly and their own, especially when neither in the secret recesses of the temples nor in the statues themselves could any inmate be found; neither demon, nor utterer of oracles, neither god nor prophet, as they had heretofore supposed: nay, not even a dim and shadowy phantom could be seen. Accordingly, every gloomy cavern, every hidden recess, afforded easy access to the emperor's emissaries: the inaccessible and secret chambers, the innermost shrines of the temples, were trampled by the soldiers' feet; and thus the mental blindness which had prevailed for so many ages over the gentile world became clearly apparent to the eyes of all.
Eusebius VC 58: How he destroyed the Temple of Venus at Heliopolis, and built the First Church in that City. SUCH actions as I have described may well be reckoned among the emperor's noblest achievements, as also the wise arrangements which he made respecting each particular province. We may instance the Phoenician city Heliopolis, in which those who dignify licentious pleasure with a distinguishing title of honor, had permitted their wives and daughters to commit shameless fornication. But now a new statute, breathing the very spirit of modesty, proceeded from the emperor, which peremptorily forbade the continuance of former practices. And besides this he sent them also written exhortations, as though he had been especially ordained by God for this end, that he might instruct all men in the principles of chastity. Hence, he disdained not to communicate by letter even with these persons, urging them to seek diligently the knowledge of God. At the same time he followed up his words by corresponding deeds, and erected even in this city a church of great size and magnificence: so that an event unheard of before in any age, now for the first time came to pass, namely, that a city which had hitherto been wholly given up to superstition now obtained the privilege of a church of God, with presbyters and deacons, and its people were placed under the presiding care of a bishop consecrated to the service of the supreme God. And further, the emperor, being anxious that here also as many as possible might be won to the truth, bestowed abundant provision for the necessities of the poor, desiring even thus to invite them to seek the doctrines of salvation, as though he were almost adopting the words of him who said, "Whether in pretense, or in truth, let Christ be preached." (1)
Sanctuary of Asclepius Pergamon (Roman capital of Asia) patronised by Apollonius of Tyana 324/325 Constantine Also Temples of Athena, Dionysus (Bacchus), Zeus (Libanius Letter B146-148); Library: During the 5th century BC, outside the city of Pergamum on the island of Cos, the great sanctuary of Asclepius, a medical school complex was built and with it came the library. The first medical school known to have existed, it could be credited with the first specialized library. The Great Altar of Pergamum: Discovered 1888
Sanctuary of Asclepius Antioch What happened? 324/325 Constantine Eus VC 59 "the emperor, acting the part of a preserver and physician of souls"
Eusebius VC 59: Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius. - IN the midst, however, of the general happiness occasioned by these events, and while the Church of God was every where and every way flourishing throughout the empire, once more that spirit of envy, who ever watches for the ruin of the good, prepared himself to combat the greatness of our prosperity, in the expectation, perhaps, that the emperor himself, provoked by our tumults and disorders, might eventually become estranged from us. Accordingly, he kindled a furious controversy at Antioch, and thereby involved the church in that place in a series of tragic calamities, which had well-nigh occasioned the total overthrow of the city. The members of the Church were divided into two opposite parties; while the people, including even the magistrates and soldiery, were roused to such a pitch, that the contest would have been decided by the sword, had not the watchful providence of God, as well as dread of the emperor's displeasure, controlled the fury of the multitude. On this occasion, too, the emperor, acting the part of a preserver and physician of souls, applied with much forbearance the remedy of persuasion to those who needed it. He gently pleaded, as it were by an embassy, with his people, sending among them one of the best approved and most faithful of those who were honored with the dignity of Count; (1) at the same time that he exhorted them to a peaceable spirit by repeated letters, and instructed them in the practice of true godliness, Having prevailed by these remonstrances, he excused their conduct in his subsequent letters, alleging that he had himself heard the merits of the case from him on whose account the disturbance had arisen. (2) And these letters of his, which are replete with learning and instruction of no ordinary kind, I should have inserted in this present work, were it not that they might affix a mark of dishonor to the character of the persons accused. I will therefore omit these, being unwilling to revive the memory of past grievances, and will only annex those to my present narrative which he wrote to testify his satisfaction at the re- establishment of peace and concord among the rest. In these letters, he cautioned them against any desire to claim the ruler of another district, (3) through whose intervention peace had been restored, as their own, and exhorted them, consistently with the usage of the Church, to choose him as their bishop, whom the common Saviour of all should point out as suited for the office. His letter, then, is addressed to the people and to the bishops, severally, in the following terms.
Temple of Asclepius Epidaurus 324/325 Constantine No Citation yet; Epidaurus inscription" "Pure must be he who enters the temple; purity means to think nothing but holy thoughts." (Porphyry, De Abstinentia 2.19)
Temple of Asclepius Eleusis No Citation yet; Libanius Letter B146-148)
Sanctuary of Asclepius Tricca No Citation yet;
Sanctuary of Asclepius Titane in Sicyon No Citation yet; (founded by Alexanor, Asclepius' grandson)
Sanctuary of Asclepius Athens No Citation yet;
Shrine of Asclepius Tyana No Citation yet; Constructed by Caracalla; Coin shows emperor sacrificing to Asclepius
Temple of Asclepius Lambaesis, Africa No Citation yet; Lambaesis Asclepia inscription - "Enter a good man, leave a better one." (CIL 8.1, #2584, [209-11 CE]
Sanctuary of Asclepius Timgad, North Africa No Citation yet; Inscription under Caracalla for redecoration (The Cambridge Ancient History)
Temple(s?) of Apollo Didyma (Asia Minor and Palestine?) sacked; it's priests tortured and executed 324/325 Constantine "P&C", RL Fox, p.671
Hellenic temples Mount Athos destroyed temples; displaced non-christians 324/325 Constantine Vlasis Rassias, Demolish Them! (1994)
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings Apollonius of Tyana Calumnified by Eusebius 325? Constantine See the Eusebian Against Hierocles
Book - Life of Apollonius of Tyana Philostratus Calumnified by Eusebius 325? Constantine See the Eusebian Against Hierocles
Burning Written Petitions "Council" of Nicaea Burnt in the presence of the petitioners who were summoned as attendees 325 Constantine Rufinus of Aquileia, Socrates Scholasticus
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings Porphyry of Tyre Edict: "To be destroyed by fire" 325 Constantine Constantine's Letters are preserved.
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings Arius of Alexandria Edict: "To be destroyed by fire" 325 Constantine Constantine's Letters are preserved.
Temple of Venus (Aphrodite) Aphaca, near Mount Lebanon and the River Adonis "prostitution" 326 Constantine Eus VC 3.55; SS HE 1.18; Soz HE 2.5 "This temple was most highly honored and reverenced by the ancients"
Temple of Aphrodite Heliopolis, Phoenicia "prostitution" 326 Constantine Eus VC 3.56; SS HE 1.18; Soz HE 2.5
Temple of Aphrodite Mamre, near Hebron, Judea "demolish to foundations" 326 Constantine Eus VC 3.26-27; SS HE 1.18; Soz HE 2.5
Temple of Aphrodite Jerusalem "demolish to foundations" 326 Constantine Eus VC 3.26-29; Basilica of the Holy Sepulchure constructed
Books and writings The heretical Montanists Edict: "burn the books; prohibit assembly" 326 Constantine Eus VC 3.65
Eusebius VC 65: How on the Discovery of Prohibited Books among the Heretics, Many of them return to the Catholic Church. - THUS were the lurking-places of the heretics broken up by the emperor's command, and the savage beasts they harbored (I mean the chief authors of their impious doctrines) driven to flight. Of those whom they had deceived, some, intimidated by the emperor's threats, disguising their real sentiments, crept secretly into the Church. For since the law directed that search should be made for their books, those of them who practiced evil and forbidden arts were detected, and, these were ready to secure their own safety by dissimulation of every kind. (1) Others, however, there were, who voluntarily and with real sincerity embraced a better hope. Meantime the prelates of the several churches. continued to make strict inquiry, utterly rejecting those who attempted an entrance under the specious disguise of false pretenses, while those who came with sincerity of purpose were proved for a time, and after sufficient trial numbered with the congregation. Such was the treatment of those who stood charged with rank heresy: those, however, who maintained no impious doctrine, but had been separated from the one body through the influence of schismatic advisers, were received without difficulty or delay. Accordingly, numbers thus revisited, as it were, their own country after an absence in a foreign land, and acknowledged the Church as a mother from whom they had wandered long, and to whom they now returned with joy and gladness. Thus the members of the entire body became united, and compacted in one harmonious whole; and the one catholic Church, at unity with itself, shone with full luster, while no heretical or schismatic body anywhere continued to exist. (2) And the credit of having achieved this mighty work our Heaven-protected emperor alone, of all who had gone before him, was able to attribute to himself.

Books and writings Paulinus (Dacian bishop) "burn the books"; practicing sorcery 343 Macedonius, bishop Council of Serdica
Books and writings "Prohibited Authors" Systematic "search of monastries" 355 Constantius II Athanasius
Books and writings "Prohibited Authors" Systematic "search of monastries" 355 Constantius II Dioscorus

Library of Antioch Antioch 365 Jovian
Temple of Aphrodite Constantinople "confiscated; turned to brothel" 380? Theodosius
Temple of the Sun Constantinople "turned to horse stables" 380? Theodosius
Temple of Artemis Constantinople "turned to horse stables" 380? Theodosius
Temples of Syria Syria 386 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics Libanius, Orations
Jewish Synagogue Callinicum, Mesopotania "sacred texts destroyed" 388 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics John Ephesos (L.Eastern Sts)
Valentinian gnostic chappel Callinicum, Mesopotania sacred texts destroyed 388 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics John Ephesos (L.Eastern Sts)
The Temple of Edessa Edessa looted and destroyed 388 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temple of Zeus Apamea looted and destroyed 388 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temple of Apollo Dydima looted and destroyed 388 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temples of Palmyra Palmyra looted and destroyed 388 Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temples of Egypt & Syria Egypt & Syria destruction of statues, temples, altars, shrines, libraries; and murder 389-390 angry mobs of Christian fanatics
Temple of Dionysus Alexandria converted to church by bishop of Alexandria 389-390 Theophilus Sozomen HE 7
Mithraeum Alexandria priests paraded, mocked, stoned to death. 389-390 Theophilus Sozomen HE 7
Temple of Zeus Alexandria priests paraded, mocked, stoned to death. 389-390 Theophilus Sozomen HE 7
Temples of Diana (Artemis) Ephesus & Olympia banned Olympic Games; destroy more temples 393 Theophilus
Temples of Greece Dion, Delphi, Megara, Corinth, Argos, Nemea, Lycosoura, Sparta, Messene, Phigaleia, Olympia "Demolish Them"! Burned to the ground 397 Arcadius, Prefect Rufinus
Eleusinian Sanctuary Olympia Hierophant of Mithras and it's priests were burned alive 397 Prefect Rufinus, Arcadius
Temples of Gaza Gaza all but nine pagan temples destroyed in the region 398 Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza, Arcadius
Remaining temples Roman Empire "For when they are torn down and removed, the material basis for all superstition will be destroyed" 399 Pretorian Prefect Euthychianus, Arcadius CTh.16.10.16
Temple of Serapis (Library) Alexandria, Egypt 391 Theodosius
Books and writings Eunomios "To be sought out and consumed with fire" 398 Arcadius & Honorius CTh 16.5.34.1; Philostorgius HE 11.5
Books and writings Montanists "To be sought out and consumed with fire" 398 Arcadius & Honorius CTh 16.5.34.1; Philostorgius HE 11.5

Index of other additional Citations yet to be classified - 4th Century
Forum of Trajan Rome
Ptolemaion Athens
Pontainos Athens
Library of Hadrian Rome
Library of Celsus Ephesus
Library at Nysa near Ephesus
Library at Nysa near Ephesus
Library of Thamugandi Algeria
Library of Philadelphia? ?
Other public libraries ?
Other public temples ?
Private libraries ?
Private temples ?

Index of Citations Evidencing the Burning and Destruction of Literature - 5th Century
Books and writings Manichaeans and Montanists Edict - Bishops encouraged to "burn" 407 Honorius CTh. 16.5.43
Books and writings Astrological Edict - Bishops encouraged to "burn" 409 Honorius CTh. 9.16.12
Books and writings Nestorius and Tome of Heracleides "No reading or copying! Burn only!" 432 Honorius CTh. 9.16.12
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings Porphyry of Tyre Edict: "To be destroyed by fire" 435 Theodosius II C.J.1.1.3
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings Porphyry of Tyre Edict: "To be destroyed by fire" 448 Valentinian III C.J.1.1.3; CTh 16.5.66
Books and writings Manichaeans "Seizes and burned a large number of M books 440-460 Pope Leo I
Books and writings Manichaeans Burns books before doors St. Mary's Basilica 440-460 Pope Gelasius Gelasius: Liber pontificalis 51;
Books and writings Manichaeans Burns books before the Lateran Basilica 440-460 Symmachus Sym L. pont 53.5
Books and writings Manichaeans Burns books before the Lateran Basilica 440-460 Hormisdas Hormisdas L.pont 54.9

Index of Citations Evidencing the Burning and Destruction of Literature - 4th Century
Library/Temple/Book	Location/Author	Comments	Destroyed	Perpetrator	Sources
Temples of Asclepius	Rome, and Italy	Many archaeological citations	312-324?	Constantine?	destruction not recorded.
"Constantine raised to their foundations those [temples] which had been the chief objects of superstitious reverance." Eus VC 3.1.5
Temple of Asclepius	Aegae, Cilicia	patronised by Apollonius of Tyana	324/325	Constantine	Eus VC 3.56-58; SS HE 1.18; Zonaras HE 13.12.30-34; Soz HE 2.5 "This temple was most highly honored and reverenced by the ancients"
Eusebius VC 56: Destruction of the Temple of Aesculapius at Aegae. - FOR since a wide-spread error of these pretenders to wisdom concerned the demon worshiped in Cilicia, whom thousands regarded with reverence as the possessor of saving and healing power, who sometimes appeared to those who passed the night in his temple, sometimes restored the diseased to health, though on the contrary he was a destroyer of souls, who drew his easily deluded worshipers from the true Saviour to involve them in impious error, the emperor, consistently with his practice, and desire to advance the worship of him who is at once a jealous God and the true Saviour, gave directions that this temple also should be razed to the ground. In prompt obedience to this command, a band of soldiers laid this building, the admiration of noble philosophers, prostrate in the dust, together with its unseen inmate, neither demon nor god, but rather a deceiver of souls, who had seduced mankind for so long a time through various ages. And thus he who had promised to others deliverance from misfortune and distress, could find no means for his own security, any more than when, as is told in myth, he was scorched by the lightning's stroke. (2) Our emperor's pious deeds, however, had in them nothing fabulous or feigned; but by virtue of the manifested power of his Saviour, this temple as well as others was so utterly overthrown, that not a vestige of the former follies was left behind.
Eusebius VC 57: How the Gentiles abandoned Idol Worship, and turned to the Knowledge of God. HENCE it was that, of those who had been the slaves of superstition, when they saw with their own eyes the exposure of their delusion, and beheld the actual ruin of the temples and images in every place, some applied themselves to the saving doctrine of Christ; while others, though they declined to take this step, yet reprobated the folly which they had received from their fathers, and laughed to scorn what they had so long been accustomed to regard as gods. Indeed, what other feelings could possess their minds, when they witnessed the thorough uncleanness concealed beneath the fair exterior of the objects of their worship? Beneath this were found either the bones of dead men or dry skulls, fraudulently adorned by the arts of magicians, (1) or filthy rags full of abominable impurity, or a bundle of hay or stubble. On seeing all these things heaped together within their lifeless images, they denounced their fathers' extreme folly and their own, especially when neither in the secret recesses of the temples nor in the statues themselves could any inmate be found; neither demon, nor utterer of oracles, neither god nor prophet, as they had heretofore supposed: nay, not even a dim and shadowy phantom could be seen. Accordingly, every gloomy cavern, every hidden recess, afforded easy access to the emperor's emissaries: the inaccessible and secret chambers, the innermost shrines of the temples, were trampled by the soldiers' feet; and thus the mental blindness which had prevailed for so many ages over the gentile world became clearly apparent to the eyes of all.
Eusebius VC 58: How he destroyed the Temple of Venus at Heliopolis, and built the First Church in that City. SUCH actions as I have described may well be reckoned among the emperor's noblest achievements, as also the wise arrangements which he made respecting each particular province. We may instance the Phoenician city Heliopolis, in which those who dignify licentious pleasure with a distinguishing title of honor, had permitted their wives and daughters to commit shameless fornication. But now a new statute, breathing the very spirit of modesty, proceeded from the emperor, which peremptorily forbade the continuance of former practices. And besides this he sent them also written exhortations, as though he had been especially ordained by God for this end, that he might instruct all men in the principles of chastity. Hence, he disdained not to communicate by letter even with these persons, urging them to seek diligently the knowledge of God. At the same time he followed up his words by corresponding deeds, and erected even in this city a church of great size and magnificence: so that an event unheard of before in any age, now for the first time came to pass, namely, that a city which had hitherto been wholly given up to superstition now obtained the privilege of a church of God, with presbyters and deacons, and its people were placed under the presiding care of a bishop consecrated to the service of the supreme God. And further, the emperor, being anxious that here also as many as possible might be won to the truth, bestowed abundant provision for the necessities of the poor, desiring even thus to invite them to seek the doctrines of salvation, as though he were almost adopting the words of him who said, "Whether in pretense, or in truth, let Christ be preached." (1)
Sanctuary of Asclepius	Pergamon (Roman capital of Asia)	patronised by Apollonius of Tyana	324/325	Constantine	Also Temples of Athena, Dionysus (Bacchus), Zeus (Libanius Letter B146-148); Library: During the 5th century BC, outside the city of Pergamum on the island of Cos, the great sanctuary of Asclepius, a medical school complex was built and with it came the library. The first medical school known to have existed, it could be credited with the first specialized library. The Great Altar of Pergamum: Discovered 1888
Sanctuary of Asclepius	Antioch	What happened?	324/325	Constantine	Eus VC 59 "the emperor, acting the part of a preserver and physician of souls"
Eusebius VC 59: Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius. - IN the midst, however, of the general happiness occasioned by these events, and while the Church of God was every where and every way flourishing throughout the empire, once more that spirit of envy, who ever watches for the ruin of the good, prepared himself to combat the greatness of our prosperity, in the expectation, perhaps, that the emperor himself, provoked by our tumults and disorders, might eventually become estranged from us. Accordingly, he kindled a furious controversy at Antioch, and thereby involved the church in that place in a series of tragic calamities, which had well-nigh occasioned the total overthrow of the city. The members of the Church were divided into two opposite parties; while the people, including even the magistrates and soldiery, were roused to such a pitch, that the contest would have been decided by the sword, had not the watchful providence of God, as well as dread of the emperor's displeasure, controlled the fury of the multitude. On this occasion, too, the emperor, acting the part of a preserver and physician of souls, applied with much forbearance the remedy of persuasion to those who needed it. He gently pleaded, as it were by an embassy, with his people, sending among them one of the best approved and most faithful of those who were honored with the dignity of Count; (1) at the same time that he exhorted them to a peaceable spirit by repeated letters, and instructed them in the practice of true godliness, Having prevailed by these remonstrances, he excused their conduct in his subsequent letters, alleging that he had himself heard the merits of the case from him on whose account the disturbance had arisen. (2) And these letters of his, which are replete with learning and instruction of no ordinary kind, I should have inserted in this present work, were it not that they might affix a mark of dishonor to the character of the persons accused. I will therefore omit these, being unwilling to revive the memory of past grievances, and will only annex those to my present narrative which he wrote to testify his satisfaction at the re- establishment of peace and concord among the rest. In these letters, he cautioned them against any desire to claim the ruler of another district, (3) through whose intervention peace had been restored, as their own, and exhorted them, consistently with the usage of the Church, to choose him as their bishop, whom the common Saviour of all should point out as suited for the office. His letter, then, is addressed to the people and to the bishops, severally, in the following terms.
Temple of Asclepius	Epidaurus		324/325	Constantine	No Citation yet; Epidaurus inscription" "Pure must be he who enters the temple; purity means to think nothing but holy thoughts." (Porphyry, De Abstinentia 2.19)
Temple of Asclepius	Eleusis				No Citation yet; Libanius Letter B146-148)
Sanctuary of Asclepius	Tricca				No Citation yet;
Sanctuary of Asclepius	Titane in Sicyon				No Citation yet; (founded by Alexanor, Asclepius' grandson)
Sanctuary of Asclepius	Athens				No Citation yet;
Shrine of Asclepius	Tyana				No Citation yet; Constructed by Caracalla; Coin shows emperor sacrificing to Asclepius
Temple of Asclepius	Lambaesis, Africa				No Citation yet; Lambaesis Asclepia inscription - "Enter a good man, leave a better one." (CIL 8.1, #2584, [209-11 CE]
Sanctuary of Asclepius	Timgad, North Africa				No Citation yet; Inscription under Caracalla for redecoration (The Cambridge Ancient History)
Temple(s?) of Apollo	Didyma (Asia Minor and Palestine?)	sacked; it's priests tortured and executed	324/325	Constantine	"P&C", RL Fox, p.671
Hellenic temples	Mount Athos	destroyed temples; displaced non-christians	324/325	Constantine	Vlasis Rassias, Demolish Them! (1994)
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings	Apollonius of Tyana	Calumnified by Eusebius	325?	Constantine	See the Eusebian Against Hierocles
Book - Life of Apollonius of Tyana	Philostratus	Calumnified by Eusebius	325?	Constantine	See the Eusebian Against Hierocles
Burning Written Petitions	"Council" of Nicaea	Burnt in the presence of the petitioners who were summoned as attendees	325	Constantine	Rufinus of Aquileia, Socrates Scholasticus
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings	Porphyry of Tyre	Edict: "To be destroyed by fire"	325	Constantine	Constantine's Letters are preserved.
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings	Arius of Alexandria	Edict: "To be destroyed by fire"	325	Constantine	Constantine's Letters are preserved.
Temple of Venus (Aphrodite)	Aphaca, near Mount Lebanon and the River Adonis	"prostitution"	326	Constantine	Eus VC 3.55; SS HE 1.18; Soz HE 2.5 "This temple was most highly honored and reverenced by the ancients"
Temple of Aphrodite	Heliopolis, Phoenicia	"prostitution"	326	Constantine	Eus VC 3.56; SS HE 1.18; Soz HE 2.5
Temple of Aphrodite	Mamre, near Hebron, Judea	"demolish to foundations"	326	Constantine	Eus VC 3.26-27; SS HE 1.18; Soz HE 2.5
Temple of Aphrodite	Jerusalem	"demolish to foundations"	326	Constantine	Eus VC 3.26-29; Basilica of the Holy Sepulchure constructed
Books and writings	The heretical Montanists	Edict: "burn the books; prohibit assembly"	326	Constantine	Eus VC 3.65
Eusebius VC 65: How on the Discovery of Prohibited Books among the Heretics, Many of them return to the Catholic Church. - THUS were the lurking-places of the heretics broken up by the emperor's command, and the savage beasts they harbored (I mean the chief authors of their impious doctrines) driven to flight. Of those whom they had deceived, some, intimidated by the emperor's threats, disguising their real sentiments, crept secretly into the Church. For since the law directed that search should be made for their books, those of them who practiced evil and forbidden arts were detected, and, these were ready to secure their own safety by dissimulation of every kind. (1) Others, however, there were, who voluntarily and with real sincerity embraced a better hope. Meantime the prelates of the several churches. continued to make strict inquiry, utterly rejecting those who attempted an entrance under the specious disguise of false pretenses, while those who came with sincerity of purpose were proved for a time, and after sufficient trial numbered with the congregation. Such was the treatment of those who stood charged with rank heresy: those, however, who maintained no impious doctrine, but had been separated from the one body through the influence of schismatic advisers, were received without difficulty or delay. Accordingly, numbers thus revisited, as it were, their own country after an absence in a foreign land, and acknowledged the Church as a mother from whom they had wandered long, and to whom they now returned with joy and gladness. Thus the members of the entire body became united, and compacted in one harmonious whole; and the one catholic Church, at unity with itself, shone with full luster, while no heretical or schismatic body anywhere continued to exist. (2) And the credit of having achieved this mighty work our Heaven-protected emperor alone, of all who had gone before him, was able to attribute to himself.

Books and writings	Paulinus (Dacian bishop)	"burn the books"; practicing sorcery	343	Macedonius, bishop	Council of Serdica
Books and writings	"Prohibited Authors"	Systematic "search of monastries"	355	Constantius II	Athanasius
Books and writings	"Prohibited Authors"	Systematic "search of monastries"	355	Constantius II	Dioscorus

Library of Antioch	Antioch		365	Jovian
Temple of Aphrodite	Constantinople	"confiscated; turned to brothel"	380?	Theodosius
Temple of the Sun	Constantinople	"turned to horse stables"	380?	Theodosius
Temple of Artemis	Constantinople	"turned to horse stables"	380?	Theodosius
Temples of Syria	Syria		386	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics	Libanius, Orations
Jewish Synagogue	Callinicum, Mesopotania	"sacred texts destroyed"	388	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics	John Ephesos (L.Eastern Sts)
Valentinian gnostic chappel	Callinicum, Mesopotania	sacred texts destroyed	388	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics	John Ephesos (L.Eastern Sts)
The Temple of Edessa	Edessa	looted and destroyed	388	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temple of Zeus	Apamea	looted and destroyed	388	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temple of Apollo	Dydima	looted and destroyed	388	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temples of Palmyra	Palmyra	looted and destroyed	388	Cynegius, bishop Marcellus and gangs of Christian fanatics
Temples of Egypt & Syria	Egypt & Syria	destruction of statues, temples, altars, shrines, libraries; and murder	389-390	angry mobs of Christian fanatics
Temple of Dionysus	Alexandria	converted to church by bishop of Alexandria	389-390	Theophilus	Sozomen HE 7
Mithraeum	Alexandria	priests paraded, mocked, stoned to death.	389-390	Theophilus	Sozomen HE 7
Temple of Zeus	Alexandria	priests paraded, mocked, stoned to death.	389-390	Theophilus	Sozomen HE 7
Temples of Diana (Artemis)	Ephesus & Olympia	banned Olympic Games; destroy more temples	393	Theophilus
Temples of Greece	Dion, Delphi, Megara, Corinth, Argos, Nemea, Lycosoura, Sparta, Messene, Phigaleia, Olympia	"Demolish Them"! Burned to the ground	397	Arcadius, Prefect Rufinus
Eleusinian Sanctuary	Olympia	Hierophant of Mithras and it's priests were burned alive	397	Prefect Rufinus, Arcadius
Temples of Gaza	Gaza	all but nine pagan temples destroyed in the region	398	Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza, Arcadius
Remaining temples	Roman Empire	"For when they are torn down and removed, the material basis for all superstition will be destroyed"	399	Pretorian Prefect Euthychianus, Arcadius	CTh.16.10.16
Temple of Serapis (Library)	Alexandria, Egypt		391	Theodosius
Books and writings	Eunomios	"To be sought out and consumed with fire"	398	Arcadius & Honorius	CTh 16.5.34.1; Philostorgius HE 11.5
Books and writings	Montanists	"To be sought out and consumed with fire"	398	Arcadius & Honorius	CTh 16.5.34.1; Philostorgius HE 11.5

Index of other additional Citations yet to be classified - 4th Century
Forum of Trajan	Rome
Ptolemaion	Athens
Pontainos	Athens
Library of Hadrian	Rome
Library of Celsus	Ephesus
Library at Nysa	near Ephesus
Library at Nysa	near Ephesus
Library of Thamugandi	Algeria
Library of Philadelphia?	?
Other public libraries	?
Other public temples	?
Private libraries	?
Private temples	?

Index of Citations Evidencing the Burning and Destruction of Literature - 5th Century
Books and writings	Manichaeans and Montanists	Edict - Bishops encouraged to "burn"	407	Honorius	CTh. 16.5.43
Books and writings	Astrological	Edict - Bishops encouraged to "burn"	409	Honorius	CTh. 9.16.12
Books and writings	Nestorius and Tome of Heracleides	"No reading or copying! Burn only!"	432	Honorius	CTh. 9.16.12
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings	Porphyry of Tyre	Edict: "To be destroyed by fire"	435	Theodosius II	C.J.1.1.3
Neo-Pythagorean Books and writings	Porphyry of Tyre	Edict: "To be destroyed by fire"	448	Valentinian III	C.J.1.1.3; CTh 16.5.66
Books and writings	Manichaeans	"Seizes and burned a large number of M books	440-460	Pope Leo I
Books and writings	Manichaeans	Burns books before doors St. Mary's Basilica	440-460	Pope Gelasius	Gelasius: Liber pontificalis 51;
Books and writings	Manichaeans	Burns books before the Lateran Basilica	440-460	Symmachus	Sym L. pont 53.5
Books and writings	Manichaeans	Burns books before the Lateran Basilica	440-460	Hormisdas	Hormisdas L.pont 54.9

Discussion of Citations

The destruction of Libraries.
The destruction of Temples and Libraries associated with Temples
The search for and destruction of specific works of literature.

P.R.F. Brown
Student of Ancient History

Index | Mountain Man Graphics

An alternative theory of the history of Christianity

Knowledge Burning by the 4th Century Christians

Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia

Knowledge Burning by the 4th Century Christians

Index of Citations Evidencing the Burning and Destruction of Literature - 4th Century

Index of other additional Citations yet to be classified - 4th Century

Index of Citations Evidencing the Burning and Destruction of Literature - 5th Century

Discussion of Citations

An alternative theory of
the history of Christianity