Panchaea Greek language Greek Polytonic is a fictional island , first mentioned by Ancient Greece ancient Greek philosopher Euhemerus in the late 4th century BC. Euhemerus describes the island and his trip there in his major work Sacred History , only fragments of which survive. Fragments preserved by followers such as the later Greek historian Diodorus Siculus and 4th century AD Christian writer Eusebius of Caesarea describe Panchaea as a rational island paradise located in the Indian Ocean . Euhemerus came there by traveling through the Red Sea and around the Arabian Peninsula in the island s temple of Zeus Triphylius he discovered a register of the births and deaths of the gods, proving they were merely historical figures. It is unlikely Panchaea was a real place, but rather a literary device invented by the author. In many parts its description is similar to Plato s Atlantis . References Unreferenced date November 2007 Category Fictional islands Category Mythological places de Panchaia ... more details
Preparation for the Gospel , commonly known by its Latin title Praeparatio evangelica , was a work of Christian apologetics written by Eusebius in the early part of the fourth century AD. It was begun about the year 313, ref Aaron P. Johnson, Ethnicity and Argument in Eusebius Praeparatio evangelica 2006 , p. 11. ref and attempts to prove the excellence of Christianity over pagan religions and philosophies. Contents The Praeparatio consists of fifteen books which have been completely preserved. Eusebius considered it an introduction to Christianity for pagans. But its value for many later readers is more because Eusebius added information from historians and philosophers which was not recorded elsewhere. Namely Here alone is preserved a summary of the writings of the Phoenicia n priest Sanchuniathon , of which the accuracy has been shown by the mythological accounts found on the Ugaritic tables. Here alone is the account from Diodorus Siculus s sixth book of Euhemerus s wondrous voyage to the island of Panchaea where Euhemerus purports to have found his true history of the gods. Here almost alone are preserved writings of the Platonist philosopher Atticus philosopher Atticus along with much else. Influence This work was used by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola 1463 1494 as a resource for his well known oration A Speech by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Prince of Concord . Praeparatio evangelica The term also denotes a early church doctrine, praeparatio evangelica , meaning a preparation of the gospel among cultures yet to hear of the message of Christ. In this view, God has already sown the older cultures with ideas and themes that would grow to fruition through interpretation in a fully Christian context. ref Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom , New York, NY Oxford University Press, 2002 , 122. ref References reflist External links http www.tertullian.org fathers eusebius pe 00 intro.htm Introduction and English text, translated by E. H. Giff ... more details
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