Abstract

This paper attempts an analysis of Eusebius' polemical construction of Greek identity in his fifteen-book apologetic text, the Praeparatio Evangelica (written c. 315 c.e.). In particular, I argue that to limit Greek identity in this text to a religious position fails to appreciate the ethnic nature of Greekness for Eusebius and hence misconstrues his argument. If we attend to the ethnic vocabulary in the Praeparatio, Eusebius' argumentation can be better analyzed. His argument is then shown to center upon a polemical retelling of Greek origins and a hostile portrayal of key Greek forefathers.