Dates according to Dokumente Zur Geschichte Des Arianischen Streites. Athanasius Werke Band 3, Teil 1, Lieferung 3 (Berlin and New York: Walter De Gruyter Inc., 2007)

There are a few notable changes in the chronology used in this edition:

1. The letters involving Eusebius of Nicomedia (Urk. 1, 2 and 8, Doc. 4, 15 and 16) are put later, suggesting that he joined the controversy later than previously supposed.

2. Constantine’s angry letters about Arius (Urk. 33 and 34, Doc. 27 and 28) have been moved from 333 to during or just after the Council of Nicaea in 325.

Chart:
appx date The editors of the 2007 edition of Athanasius Werke did not assign dates to these documents, only approximate order, so only approximate dates have been given in the first column, from AJW.
doc the dokument number in the 2007 edition of Athanasius Werke. Because the editors revised Opitz’s chronology, they gave the same documents new document numbers. For example, the old urkunde (urk.) 6 is now dokument (doc) 1.
ancient source: gives the location in the sources from which we have taken the document.
translations: gives the location of translations. FCC translations may be accessed by clicking the link
urk.: provides the document number (Urk.) in Opitz’s Early Arian Documents (German: Urkunden).
Opitz date: the date assigned by Opitz. Click here to see the issues related to chronology.
CPG: Clavis Patrum Graecorum reference number.
extra space
appx date doc. description ancient source translations urk. Opitz date CPG
318-320 1 Arius and his followers to Alexander of Alexandria Athanasius, De synodis 16;
Epiphanius, Panarion 69.7;
Hilary, De Trinitate 4.12
FCC;
CLA
no. 22;
Hanson, pp. 7-8; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 458; NPNF2 vol. 9, p. 74;
New Eusebius,
no. 284
6 c. 320 2026
318-320 2.1 Alexander of Alexandria to his clergy Athanasius, De decretis 34 FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 69 4a 318/9 2001
318-320 2.2 Alexander of Alexandria’s encyclical letter on Arius’ deposition Athanasius, De decretis 35;
Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6.;
Anonymous Church History 2.3.1-21
FCC;
New Eusebius,
no. NPNF2 vol. 4, pp. 69-72; NPNF2 vol. 2, pp.3-5;
282;Sections 2-3: Hanson, p. 16
4b c. 318 2000
318-320 3 Summary of letter of a Council in Bithynia Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 1.15.10 FCC; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 252 5 c. 320
318-320 4 Eusebius of Nicomedia to Paulinus of Tyre Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6
(1.5 in the NPNF)
FCC; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 42 8 c. 320 2045
318-320 5 Fragment of a letter of Paulinus of Tyre Eusebius, Contra Marcellum
1.4.18-21, 49-51
FCC;
Hanson, p. 45
9 c. 320 2065
318-320 6 Priest George to Alexander of Alexandria Athanasius, De synodis 17.5 FCC;
Hanson, p. 44; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459
12 c. 322 3555
318-320 7 Priest George to the Arians in Alexandria Athanasius, De synodis 17.6 FCC;
Hanson, p. 44; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459
13 c. 322 3556
320-322 8 Summary of letter of a council in Palestine reinstating Arius Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 1.15.11 FCC; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 252 10 c. 321/2
320-322 9 Eusebius of Caesarea to Alexander of Alexandria 2nd Council of Nicaea:
Labbe, vol. 7, col. 496 and Mansi, vol.13, coll. 316-7
FCC 7 c. 320 3501
320-322 10 Eusebius of Caesarea to Euphration of Balanea Sections 1-3: Council of Nicaea, Session 5: Labbe vol. 7, col. 365; Sections 1-2: 2nd Council of Nicaea, Session 5: in Mansi vol. 13, col.176, 317;
Sections 4-5: Eusebius, Contra Marcellum1.4.40-41, 57; Athanasius,De synodis 17.3
FCC 3 c. 318 3500
320-322 11 Athanasius of Anazarbus to Alexander of Alexandria Athanasius, De synodis 17.4 FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 458;
Discussed Hanson, p. 42
11 c. 322 2060
320-322 12 Part of a letter of Athanasius of Anazarbus Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275 (Frag. 4 [235 Gryson, Scripta Arriana]) FCC 2061
320-322 13 Parts of 2 letters of Theognis of Nicaea Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275-76 (Frag. 4 [235 Gryson, Scripta
Arriana
])
FCCa,

FCCb
2070
320-322 14 Fragment of a letter of Alexander of Alexandria to all bishops Greek: Schwartz, pp. 265-7;
Syriac: Pitra, vol. 4, pp. 196-7
FCC 15 324 2003
323-324 15 Arius to Eusebius of Nicomedia Epiphanius, Panarion 69.6;
Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.5
(1.4 in the NPNF)

FCC
;
New Eusebius
, no. 283;
Sections 2-8: Hanson, p. 139,
Sections 4-5: Hanson, p. 6;
NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 41
1 c. 318 2025
323-324 16 Fragment of a letter from Eusebius of Nicomedia to Arius Athanasius, De synodis 17.2 FCC;
Hanson, p. 31; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459
2 c. 318 2046
323-324 17 Alexander of Alexandria to Alexander of Byzantium Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.4
(1.3 in the NPNF)
FCC;
CLA
no. 21;
NPNF2 vol. 3, pp. 35-41;
Discussed in Hanson, p. 141-2
Discussed on New Eusebius, no. 285
14 324 2002
323-324 18 Fragment a letter of Alexander of Alexandria to Sylvester of Rome Section 1: Richard, p. 82;
Section 2: Hilary: CSEL vol. 65, part 4, pp. 91-92;
FCC 16 ?
323-324 19 Emperor Constantine to Alexander of Alexandria and Arius Eusebius, Vita Constantini, 2.64;
Sections 6-15: Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.7;
Sections 6-15: Anonymous Church History 2.4
FCC;
New Eusebius,
no. 287;
Coleman, no. 47;
NPNF2 vol. 1, pp. 515-8;
Sections 6-15: NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 6-7
17 Oct. 324 2020
early 325 20 Letter of the Council of Antioch (325) Greek and Syriac: Schwartz, pp. 271-9;
Syriac: Schulthess, pp. 160-2
FCC;
New Eusebius,
no. 288;
Sections 8-11: Hanson, p. 149
18 early 325 8509
325 21 Fragment of a letter of Narcissus of Neronias to Chrestus, Euphronius and Eusebius Eusebius, Contra Marcellum, 1.4.39 FCC 19 325
325 22 Emperor Constantine’s letter calling the Council of Nicaea Greek: Schwartz, p. 289;
Syriac: Schulthess, p. 1
FCC;
New Eusebius,
no. 289;
Coleman, no. 48
20 Spring 325 8511
325 23 Fragment of a letter from Eusebius of Nicomedia to the Council of Nicaea Ambrose, De fide 3.15 FCC;
Hanson, p. 31;
NPNF2 vol. 10, p. 260
21 June 325 2047
325 24 Eusebius of Caesarea to his church explaining his actions at the Council of Nicaea Athanasius, De decretis 33;
Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.12
(1.11 in NPNF);
Anonymous Church History 2.35;
Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.8
(section 16 omitted)
FCC;
New Eusebius,
no. 291;
NPNF2 vol. 4, pp. 74-76;
NPNF2 vol. 2, pp. 10;
NPNF2 vol. 3 p. 51 (partial);
Sections 3-6: Hanson, p. 159;
Section 7: Hanson, p. 165;
Section 16: Hanson, p. 166
22 June 325 3502
325 25

Letter of the Council of Nicaea to the Egyptian church

Athanasius, De decretis 36;
Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9;
Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.2
(1.8.2 in NPNF);
Anonymous Church History 2.34.2
FCC;
New Eusebius
, no. 292;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 12;
NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 46
23 June 325 8515
325 26 Creed of the Council of Nicaea Athanasius, De decretis 37 FCC;
NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 75
24 19 June 325 8512
325 27 Emperor Constantine to Arius and his followers Athanasius, De decretis 40;
Anonymous Church History 3.19.1;
cf.: Epiphanius, Panarion
69.9
Coleman-Norton, no. 67;
Sections 14-15: Hanson, p. 189
34 333 2042
325 28 Part of an edict against Arius and his followers Athanasius, De decretis 39;
Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.30;
Anonymous Church History 2.36.1
Syriac: Schulthess, pp. 1-2
FCC;
Coleman-Norton, no. 66;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 14
33 333 2041
325 29 Emperor Constantine to the church of Alexandria Athanasius, De decretis 38;
Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.17;
Anonymous Church History 2.37;
FCC;
Coleman, no. 53;
New Eusebius
, no. 293;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 13
25 June 325 8517
325 30 Emperor Constantine to the churches on the Nicene decision concerning Easter Eusebius, Vita Constantini
3.17-18;Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.32;
Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.10
(1.9 in NPNF);
Anonymous Church History 2.37.10
FCC;
Coleman, no. 52;
NPNF2 vol. 1, p. 524-5;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 14-16;
NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 47-8
26 June 325 8518
326-327 31 Emperor Constantine to the church of Nicomedia Athanasius, De decretis 41;
Anonymous Church History 3. appendix 1;
Sections 9-17:
Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.20
(1.19 in NPNF)
FCC;
Coleman, no. 50;
Sections 9-17:
New Eusebius
, no. 294;
NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 56
27 Nov. – Dec. 325 2055
326-327 32

Emperor Constantine to Theodotus of Laodicea

Athanasius, De decretis 42;
Anonymous Church History 3.appendix 2
FCC;
Coleman, no. 51;
New Eusebius
, no. 305
(1957 edition only)
28 Nov. – Dec. 325 2056
326-327 33 Emperor Constantine to Arius Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.25.7 FCC;
Coleman, no. 58;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 28
29 27 Nov. 327 2040
326-327 34 Arius and Euzoius to the Emperor Constantine Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.26.2;
Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.27.6-10
FCC;
New Eusebius, no. 295;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 28;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 277
30 late 327 2027
327 35.1 Council of Antioch against Asclepas of Gaza Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 2.8.26; Hilary, Fragmenta Historica B.II.1.6; Athanasius, Apologia secunda 45.2
327 35.2 Council of Antioch against Eustathius Socrates, Historia Ecclesiastica 1.23.8-1.24.9
327-329 36 Eusebius of Nicomedia and Theognis of Nicaea, recanting in order to be reinstated Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.14.2;
Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.16.3-7;
Anonymous Church History 3.13
FCC;
New Eusebius
, no. 296;
NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 20, vol. 2, p. 68
31 late 327 2048
327-329 37 Fragment of a letter from Emperor Constantine to Alexander of Alexandria Anonymous Church History 3.15.1 FCC 32 early 328 2021

The rest of the documents are only included in the 2007 edition:

Document number. Date Document Title
38 Conflicts about the restoration of church unity in Egypt
39 335 Writings of the Synod of Jerusalem of the year 335
40 Synods in Constantinople against Marcellus of Ancyra
41 340-341 Correspondence and synods in Rome and Antioch during the years 340 and 341
41.1 Letter of Julius of Rome to the eastern bishops with the request to appear at a synod in Rome
41.2 Reports on the Dedication Synod of Antioch in the year 341
41.3 Explanation of Theophronius of Tyana (3rd Antiochene formula)
41.4 341 Confession of the Synod of Antioch in the year 341 (2nd Antiochene formula)
41.5 Fragment of a cyclical letter of the Synod of Antioch in the year 341 (1st Antiochene formula)
41.6 341 Report on a letter of the Synod of Antioch in the year 341 to Julius of Rome
41.7 Letter and confession of Marcellus of Ancyra to Julius of Rome
41.8 Letter of Julius to the bishops gathered in Antioch
42 Confession of an Antiochene synod (4th Antiochene formula)
43 344 The Synod of Serdica, 344
43.1 Cyclical letters of the western bishops
43.2 The theological explanation of the western bishops
43.3 The list of the signatures under the theological explanation of the western bishops
43.4 Letters of the western bishops to Emperor Constantine
43.5 Letters of the western bishops to Julius of Rome
43.6 Fragments of the letter of Hosias of Cordova and Protogenes of Serdica to Julius of Rome
43.7 Letters of the western bishops to the church of Alexandria
43.8 Letters of Athanasius of Alexandria to the priests and deacons of Alexandria and Parembole
43.9 Letters of the western synod to the priests and deacons in Mareotis
43.10 Letters of Athanasius of Alexandria to the priests, deacons, and church people in Mareotis
43.11 Cyclical letters of the eastern synod
43.12 The theological explanation of the eastern synod
43.13 The list of the signatures under the theological explanation of the eastern synod
44 344 Macrostich Confession (Ἔκθεσις Μακρόστιχος), Fifth Arian

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Documents of the Early Arian Controversy – Chronology according to Rowan Williams (2002)

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Last updated: 1-8-2024

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