Socrates of Constantinople, also known as Socrates Scholasticus, was a 5th-century Christian historian. A native of Constantinople, he worked as a scholasticus, a lawyer or advocate trained in rhetoric. While his precise life dates are uncertain, his writings indicate he lived during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II. He was a layman and a member of the Novatianist Christian community, a group with strict views that was generally tolerated in his era.
His sole surviving work is the Historia Ecclesiastica (Church History), a seven-book narrative covering the years 305 to 439 CE. This history continues the ecclesiastical story from where the earlier historian Eusebius concluded. It is regarded as one of the three major contemporary Greek church histories from this pivotal period.
Modern scholars value his work for its detailed and often moderate perspective. As a layman and a Novatianist, he provides a viewpoint distinct from official church historians, showing particular interest in events in Constantinople and the affairs of his own community. He is noted for his critical approach, sometimes comparing sources and expressing skepticism about reports of miracles. His history became a fundamental source for later writers and remains a crucial resource for understanding the theological debates, church councils, and political dynamics of the 4th and early 5th centuries.