The author considers the directions for the development of late antique historiography, standards and models of
the historical writing and the formation of the genre of Church histories. In this connection, the works of two authors
of the 5th century, Philip of Side and Gelasius of Cyzicus, who are less known in the modern Byzantinistics, are very
interesting and important. The works examined, being not exactly the best examples of Church histories, nevertheless
clearly demonstrate the framework in which the whole branch of the historical thought and late antique historiography
developed and the range of that epochs standards for writing historical works. Thus, this material serves to
clarify our modern understanding of Church histories and of the way how the search proceeded for the new historiographical
forms optimal for historical works and exposing the new (Christian) philosophical and historical conception
in the 4th -7th centuries.
|
