This page lists the survivng background documents leading up to the Arian controversy. The chart below lists those 80 items according to the expanded list of Samuel Fernández in Fontes Nicaenae Synodi (Brill, 2024). The hotlink for each document leads to a subpage the provides the text and our English translation together with a short introduction.

Fernández explains his reconstruction and dating in his accompanying volume Nicaea 325: Reassessing the Contemporary Sources (Brill, 2025).

DateFNSDescriptionAncient Source(s)Translation(s)Dok.Urk.CPG
late 304 or early 3051Four Egyptian Bishops, Letter to MelitiusKettler, ZNW, 35, 159–161; Codex Veronensis, lx, ed. M.J. Routh, Reliquae Sacrae, IV, 91–93; Migne, P.G. X, 1565–1568FCC; ANF 6:163

1667
3052Peter of Alexandria, Letter to the People of Alex.Kettler, ZNW, 35, 162–163; Codex Veronensis, LX, ed. M.J. Routh, Reliquae Sacrae, IV, 94; Migne, P.G. XVIII, 509–510FCC; ANF 6:280

1641
April 3063Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Letter



1639
Easter 3144Synod of Ancyra, Canons



8501
314/3195Synod of Neocaesarea, Canons



8504
322/3236Arius, Letter to Eusebius of NicomediaTheodoret, H.E. 1.5; Epiphanius, Panarion 69.6FCC; New Eusebius, no. 283; Sec.8: Hanson, 39; Sec. 4-5: Hanson, 6; NPNF2 3:411512025
322/3237Eusebius of Nicomedia, Letter to AriusAthanasius, De Synodis 17.2FCC; Hanson, 31; NPNF2 4:4591622046
322/3238Alexander of Alexandria, Letter to AlexanderTheodoret, H.E. 1.4.1-61FCC; CLA no. 21; NPNF2 3:35-4117142002
322/3239Alexander of Alexandria, Letter to PhilogoniusGreek (reconstruction): Schwartz, “Zur Geschichte des Athanasius,” pp. 265-7; Syriac: Pitra, vol. 4, pp. 196-7FCC14152010
321/323?10Alexander of Alexandria, Festal Homily



2010
32311Arius and Companions, Letter to AlexanderAthanasius, De Synodis 16.2-6; Epiphanius, Panarion 69.7-8; Hilary, De Trinitate, 4.12-13FCC; CLA no. 22; Hanson, 7-8; NPNF2 4:458; NPNF2 9:74; New Eusebius, no. 284162026
32312Eusebius of Caesarea, Letter to Alexander2nd Council of Nicaea, Session 6: ACO2 3:734-736 FCC973501
ca. 32313Eusebius of Caesarea, Letter to Euphration2nd Council of Nicaea, Sessions 5 and 6: ACO2 3:560-562, 736FCC10.1-33.1-33500
ca. 32314Eusebius of Caesarea, Letter to an Unknown RecipientEusebius, Contra Marcellum1.4.40-41, 57; Athanasius, De synodis 17.3FCC10.4-53.4-53500
ca. 32315Eusebius of Nicomedia, Letter to PaulinusTheodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6FCC; NPNF2 3:42482045
ca. 32316Paulinus of Tyre, LetterEusebius, Contra Marcellum 1.4.18-21, 49-51FCC; Hanson, 45592065
32317Asterius of Cappadocia, Theological Fragments



2817–2818
323/32418Arius, Hymn [Thalia]Athanasius, De synodis 15.3 Athanasius, Or. c. Ar. I,5-6, 9, 11FCC

2028
32419George [of Laodicea], Letter to Alexander of Alexandria (fr.)Athanasius, De synodis 17.5FCC; Hanson, 44; NPNF2 4:4596123555
32420George [of Laodicea], Letter to Those of Arius (fr.)Athanasius, De synodis 17.6FCC; NPNF2 4:459; Hanson, 447133556
32421Athanasius of Anazarbus, Letter to Alexander of Alexandria (fr.)Athanasius, De synodis 17.4FCC; NPNF2 4:458; Hanson, 42.11112060
?22Athanasius of Anazarbus, Letter (fr.)Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275 (Frag. 4 [235 Gryson, Scripta Arriana])FCC12
2061
?23Theognis of Nicaea, Letters (fr.)Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275-76 (Frag. 4 [235 Gryson, Scripta Arriana])FCC13
2070
late 32424Constantine, Letter to Alexander and AriusEusebius, Vita Constantini, 2.64 Sections 6-15: Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.7; Sections 6-15: Anonymous Church History 2.4FCC; NPNF2 1:515-8; New Eusebius, no. 287; Coleman, no. 47; Sec. 6-15: NPNF2 2:6-719172020
32425Alexander of Alexandria, Deposition of AriusAthanasius, De decretis 34FCC; NPNF2 4:692.14a2001/2120,2
32426Alexander of Alexandria, Encyclical LetterAthanasius, De decretis 35; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6.; Anonymous Church History 2.3.1-21FCC; NPNF2 2:3-5; New Eusebius, no. NPNF2 4:69-72; 282; Sec. 2-3: Hanson, 162.24b2000/2120,3
32427Alexander of Alexandria, Letter to Silvester (fr.)



2005
324/528Synod of Antioch, Synodical LetterGreek and Syriac: Schwartz, “Zur Geschichte des Athanasius,” pp. 271-9; Syriac: Schulthess, “Die syrischen Kanones,” pp. 160-2FCC; New Eusebius, no. 288; Sec. 8-11: Hanson, 14920188509
32529Narcissus of Neronias, Testimony of a Letter (fr.)Eusebius, Contra Marcellum, 1.4.39FCC2119
beginning of 32530Constantine, Letter to the Bishops (fr.)Greek: Schwartz, “Zur Geschichte des Athanasius,” pp. 289 Syriac: Schulthess, “Die syrischen Kanones,” p. 1FCC; New Eusebius, no. 289; Coleman, no. 4822208511
June 32531Constantine, Speech to the Nicene Synod



3496
June 32532Synod of Nicaea, CreedAthanasius, De decretis 37FCC; NPNF2 4:7526248512/2120,5
32533Synod of Nicaea, Canons
FCC; NPNF2 14:8-42

8513
32534Synod of Nicaea, Letter to the Church of Egypt, Libya, and PentapolisAthanasius, De decretis 36; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.2 (1.8.2 in NPNF); Anonymous Church History 2.34.2FCC; NPNF2 2:12-3; New Eusebius, no. 292; NPNF2 3:4625238515/2120,4
32535Constantine, Letter to All the ChurchesEusebius, Vita Constantini 3.17-20; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.32; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.10 (1.9 in NPNF); Anonymous Church History 2.37.10FCC; NPNF2 1:524-5 and NPNF2 2:14-16; Coleman, no. 52; NPNF2 3:47-830268518
32536Constantine, Letter to the Alexandrian ChurchAthanasius, De decretis 38; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.17; Anonymous Church History 2.37FCC; NPNF2 2:13-4; Coleman, no. 53; New Eusebius, no. 29329258517/2120,6
mid 32537Eusebius of Caesarea, Letter to his ChurchAthanasius, 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; NPNF2 4:74-76; New Eusebius, no. 291; NPNF2 2:10; NPNF2 3:51 (partial); Sec. 3-6: Hanson, 159; Sec. 7: Hanson, 165; Sec 16: Hanson, 16624223502/2120,1
32538Eusebius (?), FragmentAmbrose, De fide 3.15FCC; Hanson, 31; NPNF2 10:26023212047
32539Eustathius of Antioch, On Prov 8:22 (fr. 79)



3354
325/32840Eustathius of Antioch, Against the Ariomaniacs and on the Soul (fr. 6)



3353
?41Eustathius of Antioch, Contra Arianos (fr. 107)



3357
late 32542Constantine, Letter to the Church of the NicomediansAthanasius, 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; Sec. 9-17: New Eusebius, no. 294; NPNF2 3:5631272120,9
late 32543Constantine, Letter to Theodotus of LaodiceaAthanasius, De decretis 42; Anonymous Church History 3.appendix 2FCC; Coleman, no. 51; New Eusebius, no. 305 (1957 edition only)32282120,10
late 32544Constantine, Letter to the Bishops and the PeopleAthanasius, De decretis 39; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.30; Anonymous Church History 2.36.1 Syriac: Schulthess, “Die syrischen Kanones,” pp. 1-2FCC; Coleman-Norton, no. 66; NPNF2 2:1428332041/2120,7
late 32545Constantine, Against the Heretics



3496
Sept. 32646Constantine, Mandate on Clerical Privileges




Sept. 32647Constantine, Mandate on Novationists




late 32748Melitius, Report to AlexanderAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 71.6FCC; NPNF2 4:137
352123,23
after June 32849Constantine, Letter to Athanasius (fr.)




328/33150Constantine, Letter to Athanasius (fr.)Athanasius, Apol. Sec. 59.6; Sozomen, HE 2.22.3-5; Socrates, HE 1.27.4-5FCC; NPNF2 4:13238b
2123.15
first months of 32951Synod of Antioch, Letter and Canons
FCC; NPNF2 14:108-121

8536
early 32952Constantine, Letter to the People of Antioch



3496
early 32953Constantine, Letter to the Synod of Antioch



3496
early 32954Constantine, Letter to Eusebius of Caesarea



3496
c. Feb. 33255Constantine, Letter to the Church of AlexandriaAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 61-62; Socrates, HE 1.27.9-10; Sozomen, HE 2.22.8-9; portion in Theodoret, HE 1.27FCC: NPNF2 4:132-3
472123,16
332/33356Ischyras, Letter to AthanasiusAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 64FCC; NPNF2 4:133-4
482123,17
March 33457Pageus Presbyter, Letter to the Priors of the Monks of HathorP. Lond. 6 1913FCC


33458Alexander of Thessalonica, Letter to AthanasiusAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 66FCC; NPNF2 4:134-135
552123,18
33459Pinnes, Letter to John of Memphis [Archaph]Athanasius, Apol. Sec. 67FCC; NPNF2 4:135
502123,19
c. 33460Arsenius, Letter to Athanasius (fr.)Athanasius, Apol. Sec. 69.2-4FCC; NPNF2 4:136
752123,21
33461Constantine, Letter to AthanasiusAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 68; Sozomen, HE 2.23FCC; NPNF2 4:135-6
522123,20
33462Constantine, Letter to John of Memphis [Archaph]Athanasius, Apol. Sec. 70.2FCC; NPNF2 4:136-7
542123,22
33463Constantine, Letter to Arius and His CompanionsAthanasius, De decretis 40; Anonymous Church History 3.19.1FCC; Coleman-Norton, no. 67; Sec. 14-15: Hanson, 18927342120,8
33464Constantine, Letter to AriusSocrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.25.7FCC; Coleman, no. 58; NPNF2 2:2833292040
33565Arius and Euzoius, Letter to ConstantineSocrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.26.2; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.27.6-10FCC; NPNF2 2:28; New Eusebius, no. 295; NPNF2 2:27734302027
33566[Secundus and Theonas], Pamphlet of ApologySocrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.14.2; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.16.3-7; Anonymous Church History 3.13FCC; NPNF2 2:19-20; New Eusebius, no. 296; NPNF2 2: 6836312048
first half of 33567Callistus, Letter to Paiêou and PatabeitP. Lond. 6 1914FCC; Bell, Jews and Christians in Egypt (OUP, 1924) doc. 1914, 58-63


first half of 33568Constantine, Letter to the Synod of TyreEusebius, Vita Const. 4.42; Theodoret, HE 1.29.1-6FCC; NPNF2 3:61-62

3496
ca. Sept. 33569The Clergy of Alexandria, Letter to the Commission of MareotisAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 73FCC; NPNF2 4:138-139
642123,24/8546
ca. Sept. 33570The Clergy of Mareotis, Letter to the Synod of TyreAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 74-75FCC; NPNF2 4:139-140
652123,25/8548
8 Sept. 33571The Clergy of Mareotis, Letter to Prefect PhilagriusAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 76FCC; NPNF2 4:140
662123,26/8547
ca. Sept. 33572The Egyptian Bishops in Tyre, Letter to the Synod of TyreAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 77FCC; NPNF2 4:140-141
602123,27/8541
ca. Sept. 33573The Egyptian Bishops in Tyre, Letter to Count Dionysius IAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 78FCC; NPNF2 4:141-142
612123,28/8542
ca. Sept. 33574The Egyptian Bishops in Tyre, Letter to Count Dionysius IIAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 79FCC; NPNF2 4:142
672123,29/8543
ca. Sept. 33575Alexander of Thessalonica, Letter to DionysiusAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 80FCC; NPNF2 4:142,
622123,30/8544
ca. Sept. 33576Count Dionysius, Letter to the Commission of Mareotis (fr.)Athanasius, Apol. Sec. 81FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4:142-3
632123,31/8545
Sept. 33577Synod of Jerusalem, Synodical LetterAthanasius, De Synodis 21FCC; NPNF2 4:46039702128,6
ca. Oct. 33578Flavius Hemerius, Letter to the Tax-collector of Mareotis


832123,33
ca. Nov. 33579Constantine, Letter to the Bishops Gathered in TyreAthanasius, Apol. Sec. 86; Anonymous Church History 3.18; Sozomen, HE 2.28.2-12; Socrates, HE 1.34FCC; NPNF2 4:145-146
712123,34/8549
late 33580Constantine, Letter to Alexander [of Constantinople] (fr.)Anonymous Church History, 3.15.1-5FCC37322021

Last updated 10/5/2026 by JSW

No Responses yet