Origins & Early Life

Salamanes Hermias Sozomenos (Ancient Greek: Σαλαμάνης Ἑρμείας Σωζομενός; Latin: Sozomenus; c. 400 – c. 450 AD), also known as Sozomen, was a Byzantine Empire era lawyer and historian of the Christian Church. Sozomen was born around 400 in Bethelia, a small town near Gaza, into a wealthy Christian family of Palestine (Palestina Prima) in the Byzantine Empire.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He recorded the history of Southern Palestine derived from oral tradition. He appeared to be familiar with the region around Gaza, and mentioned having seen Bishop Zeno of Majuma at the seaport of Gaza. Sozomen wrote that his grandfather lived at Bethelia, near Gaza, and became a Christian together with his household, probably under Constantius II. A neighbor, who was probably a relative of their household, named Alaphion was miraculously healed by Saint Hilarion, who cast out a demon from Alaphion. As eyewitnesses to the miracle, his family converted, along with Alaphion's.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The conversion marked a turning point in the Christianization of southern Palestine, according to his account. The grandfather became within his own circle a highly esteemed interpreter of Scripture and according to Sozomen "much beloved...

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