Otto Bardenhewer (1851–1935) was Professor of New Testament Exegesis at Munich from 1886 to 1924. Following the success of his 1894 Patrologie (translated into French and Italian, with the 1908 English edition also available in this series), Bardenhewer went on to write this monumental five-volume history, in German, of early Christian literature from its beginnings to the seventh century. Published between 1902 and 1932 (this reissue uses the second, revised editions of Volumes 1 and 2, from 1913 and 1914), it was acclaimed for its thoroughness, clarity and sound judgment and is still a standard work of reference. Each volume begins with a general essay introducing the writers, themes and genres to be covered. This is followed by chapters giving more detailed treatments of particular regions, periods or topics. Bardenhewer summarises each author's output, places works in context, and outlines their textual history, critical reception and interpretation.