Documents of the Early ‘Arian’ Controversy and the Council of Nicaea

by Richard Price

First published 2025

Constantine summons bishops from across the empire to Nicaea in 325 AD. Arius stands before the council, defending his teaching that Christ is subordinate to the Father. His words have already divided churches from Alexandria to Antioch. Bishop Hosius watches the emperor's face as Arius speaks. The fate of Christian doctrine hangs on these debates. Athanasius rises to counter every argument, his voice carrying the weight of orthodox tradition. Letters fly between distant sees as alliances form and fracture. Price brings readers into the council chambers where bishops argue over single Greek words that will define faith for centuries. The novel captures how personal ambitions and imperial politics shaped the Nicene Creed. Through the eyes of delegates, scribes, and translators, we witness Christianity's most consequential theological moment.

Genres: biography, history, christian, church-history, ancient-history, academic

Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: historical-drama

Setting: Alexandria, Antioch, Nicaea

Period: 325 AD

296 pages · Hardcover · Liverpool University Press

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