The Catalogue of Virtues in the "Ecclesiastical History" of Sozomen of Bethelia

On the one hand, in his Ecclesiastical History, Sozomen presented qualities of ruler he held high esteem – Theodosius II; on other, listed characteristics ascetics admired, new sages, living view according to principles best philosophy. Interestingly, this presentation, applied an almost identical set virtues that attributed both rulers and monks. In cases equated piety with wisdom made them most important, leading virtues. They were ones conditioned subsequent qualities. Thus, Sozomen’s account, can trace theory unity characteristic Socrates Athens. It claimed cannot possess a particle virtue without possessing whole, nor specific all them. seems order used by catalogue ascribed II is not accidental, reflects their hierarchy: εὐσέβεια-σοφία φιλανθρωπία, ἀνδρεία, σωφροσύνη, δικαιοσύνη, φιλοτιμία, μεγαλοψυχία. This hierarchy stems from Christian values adopted Sozomen.