The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
George of Cappadocia
lynched 24 December AD 361 · Arian intruder-bishop of Alexandria (356–361) · Alexandria
The Nicene Age
Who George of Cappadocia was
Pork-contractor turned Arian archbishop, installed by Constantius's troops in 356 — hated impartially by Nicenes and pagans, whose mob tore him to pieces when Julian's accession removed his protection. His superb library was coveted by Julian himself; his violence fills the History of the Arians.
Also listed in the bishops of Alexandria and heretics & schismatics.
Common questions
When did George live?
George of Cappadocia is dated lynched 24 December AD 361 in the archive, which places George in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention George?
George of Cappadocia is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Athanasius of Alexandria, Emperor Julian, Ammianus Marcellinus and Socrates Scholasticus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was George from?
The archive associates George of Cappadocia with Alexandria.
Who were George’s contemporaries?
The archive links George of Cappadocia to 4 other figures, including Athanasius of Alexandria, Emperor Constantius II, Emperor Julian the Apostate and Artemius of Antioch. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (4)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
History of the Arians 54–58, 75
c. AD 350George, coming to Alexandria in Lent with soldiers, exceeded his instructions: after Easter week virgins were thrown into prison, bishops were led away in chains, the houses of orphans and widows were plundered.Athanasius of Alexandria · source text
Julian, Letter on the library of George (the emperor claims the dead bishop's books)
c. AD 361He possessed a large and complete library; see that it is sent to me entire.Emperor Julian · Letter to Ecdicius, on George's library · source text
Res Gestae XXII.11 (the lynching at Alexandria, by the pagan historian)
c. AD 390Ecclesiastical History III.2–3 (the murder and the emperor's mild rebuke)
c. AD 440Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
- AD 361 · Julian’s pagan restoration, AD 361
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put George.