Hosius, Bishop of Cordova

Since we have noted that Hosius the Spaniard was present at the Council of Sirmium against his will, we must give a brief account of him. A short time before, he had been sent into exile through the scheming of the Arians. But at the urgent request of those gathered at Sirmium, the emperor summoned him there, wanting him to give his approval to their proceedings, whether by persuasion or by force. If this could be done, they believed, it would give great authority to their views. That, then, as I have said, is why he was forced, very much against his will, to be present. And when he refused to agree with them, the old man was flogged and tortured. So he was compelled by force to give his consent and to sign their statement of the faith. Such was the outcome of the business transacted at Sirmium at that time. But after these things the emperor Constantius continued to stay there, waiting for the result of the war against Magnentius. [a]