# On Illustrious Men - Author: [Jerome](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/jerome/) - Latin title: *De viris inlustribus* - Date: 392–393 (probable) - Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina, vol. 23 (Paris, 1845), cols. 631–699 (text of D. Vallarsi, Verona, 1734–42); the Greek version printed beside the Latin in PL is not included (Latin text: Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 23, digitized by Open Greek and Latin (patrologia_latina-dev, University of Leipzig), CC BY-SA 4.0) - Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator - Editions and translations: Aldo Ceresa-Gastaldo, ed., Gerolamo, Gli uomini illustri (Florence: Nardini, 1988) - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/ - Passages: 134 ## On Illustrious Men 0 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-0 - Source: PL 23:631a–632a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Jerome dedicates to Dexter a catalogue of Christian writers from Christ's passion to 392, modelled on Suetonius, to show the church's learned men. ### Latin text Hortaris me, Dexter, ut Tranquillum sequens, ecclesiasticos scriptores in ordinem digeram, et quod ille in enumerandis gentilium litterarum viris fecit illustribus, ego in nostris faciam, id est, ut a passione Christi usque ad decimum quartum Theodosii imperatoris annum, omnes qui de Scripturis sanctis memoriae aliquid prodiderunt, tibi breviter exponam. Fecerunt quidem hoc idem apud Graecos, Hermippus Peripateticus, Antigonus Carystius, Satyrus doctus vir, et longe omnium doctissimus Aristoxenus musicus. Apud Latinos autem Varro, Santra, Nepos, Hyginus, et ad cujus nos exemplum provocas, Tranquillus. Sed non mea est et illorum similis conditio: illi enim historias, veteres annalesque replicantes, potuerunt quasi de ingenti prato non parvam opusculi sui coronam texere. Ego quid aucturus, qui nullum praevium sequens, pessimum, ut dicitur, magistrum memetipsum habeo? Quanquam Eusebius Pamphili in decem Ecclesiasticae Historiae libris maximo nobis adjumento fuerit, et singulorum, de quibus scripturi sumus, volumina aetates auctorum suorum saepe testentur. Itaque Dominum Jesum Christum precor, ut quod Cicero tuus, qui in arce Romanae eloquentiae stetit, non est facere dedignatus in Bruto, oratorum Latinae linguae texens catalogum, id ego in ejus Ecclesiae scriptoribus enumerandis, digne cohortatione tua impleam. Si qui autem de his qui usque hodie scriptitant, a me in hoc volumine praetermissi sunt, sibi magis quam mihi debebunt imputare. Neque enim celantes scripta sua, de his quae non legi, nosse potui, et quod aliis forsitan sit notum, mihi in hoc terrarum angulo fuerit ignotum. Certe cum scriptis suis claruerint, non magnopere nostri silentii dispendia suspirabunt. Discant ergo Celsus, Porphyrius, Julianus, rabidi adversus Christum canes, discant eorum sectatores (qui putant Ecclesiam nullos philosophos et eloquentes, nullos habuisse doctores) quanti et quales viri eam fundaverint, exstruxerint, et adornaverint; et desinant fidem nostram rusticae tantum simplicitatis arguere, suamque potius imperitiam agnoscant. Vale in Domino Jesu Christo. ### English translation (Claude) You urge me, Dexter, following Tranquillus, to set in order the writers of the church, and to do for ours what he did in listing the illustrious men of pagan letters: that is, to set out briefly for you all who, from the passion of Christ to the fourteenth year of the emperor Theodosius, have left any record about the holy Scriptures. Among the Greeks the same was done by Hermippus the Peripatetic, Antigonus of Carystus, Satyrus, a learned man, and, by far the most learned of all, Aristoxenus the musician; among the Latins by Varro, Santra, Nepos, Hyginus, and, to whose example you summon us, Tranquillus. But my situation is not like theirs: for they, going over old histories and annals, could weave a not small garland for their little work as if from a vast meadow. What am I to do, who, following no one before me, have, as the saying goes, the worst teacher, myself? Although Eusebius Pamphili, in the ten books of his Church History, has been of the greatest help to us, and the volumes of each of those about whom we are to write often attest the dates of their authors. So I pray the Lord Jesus Christ that what your Cicero, who stood on the citadel of Roman eloquence, did not disdain to do in the Brutus, weaving a catalogue of the orators of the Latin tongue, I may fulfil worthily of your encouragement in listing the writers of his church. If any of those who are still writing today have been passed over by me in this volume, they will have to blame themselves rather than me. For I could not know, of those who conceal their writings, what I have not read; and what may perhaps be known to others may have been unknown to me in this corner of the world. Certainly, since they have become famous by their writings, they will not much lament the loss from our silence. Let Celsus, Porphyry, and Julian, those rabid dogs against Christ, learn, then; let their followers learn (who think that the church has had no philosophers, no eloquent men, no teachers) how many and what kind of men founded, built, and adorned it; and let them stop accusing our faith of mere rustic simplicity, and rather recognize their own ignorance. Farewell in the Lord Jesus Christ. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. (Church History): allusion, high confidence - Cicero, Brut. (Cicero): allusion, high confidence - Porphyry, Porphyry, Chr. (Porphyry, Against the Christians (fragments)): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Tranquillus is Suetonius (De viris illustribus). The fourteenth year of Theodosius is 392. Migne's inline gloss '(Bethleemi)' after 'this corner of the world' is removed. The invective against Celsus, Porphyry and Julian is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. pref. (PL 23:631a–632a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-0). ## On Illustrious Men 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-1 - Source: PL 23:636a–637a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Peter: bishop of Antioch, then of Rome for twenty-five years, crucified head downward under Nero; author of two letters; several books under his name are apocryphal. ### Latin text Simon Petrus, filius Joannis, provinciae Galileae, e vico Bethsaida, frater Andreae apostoli, et princeps apostolorum, post episcopatum Antiochensis Ecclesiae, et praedicationem dispersionis eorum qui de circumcisione crediderant, in Ponto, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia et Bithynia, secundo Claudii imperatoris anno, ad expugnandum Simonem magum, Romam pergit, ibique viginti quinque annis cathedram sacerdotalem tenuit, usque ad ultimum annum Neronis, id est, decimum quartum. A quo et affixus cruci, martyrio coronatus est, capite ad terram verso, et in sublime pedibus elevatis; asserens se indignum qui sic crucifigeretur ut Dominus suus. Scripsit duas epistolas, quae Catholicae nominantur: quarum secunda a plerisque ejus esse negatur, propter styli cum priore dissonantiam. Sed et Evangelium juxta Marcum, qui auditor ejus et interpres fuit, hujus dicitur. Libri autem, e quibus unus Actorum ejus inscribitur, alius Evangelii, tertius Praedicationis, quartus Apocalypseos, quintus Judicii, inter apocryphas scripturas repudiantur. Sepultus Romae in Vaticano, juxta viam Triumphalem, totius orbis veneratione celebratur. ### English translation (Claude) Simon Peter, son of John, of the province of Galilee, from the village of Bethsaida, brother of the apostle Andrew and prince of the apostles, after being bishop of the church of Antioch and preaching to those of the dispersion who had believed from the circumcision, in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, went to Rome in the second year of the emperor Claudius to overthrow Simon Magus, and there held the priestly chair for twenty-five years, until the last year of Nero, that is, the fourteenth. By him he was fastened to a cross and crowned with martyrdom, with his head turned to the ground and his feet raised on high, declaring himself unworthy to be crucified as his Lord was. He wrote two letters, which are called Catholic; the second of these is denied to be his by most because of the difference of style from the first. The Gospel according to Mark, who was his hearer and interpreter, is also said to be his. But the books of which one is entitled his Acts, another his Gospel, the third his Preaching, the fourth his Apocalypse, the fifth his Judgment, are rejected among the apocryphal writings. Buried at Rome in the Vatican, near the Triumphal Way, he is honoured by the veneration of the whole world. ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 1:1: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Gos. Pet. (Gospel of Peter): allusion, high confidence - Ker. Pet. (Preaching of Peter): allusion, high confidence - Apoc. Pet. (Apocalypse of Peter): allusion, high confidence - Acts Pet. (Acts of Peter): allusion, high confidence - Jud. Pet. (Judgment of Peter): echo, high confidence ### Translation notes - The dispersion: 1 Pet 1:1. Jerome's chronology of Peter's twenty-five years at Rome is that of his time and is uncertain. Apocryphal Acts, Gospel, Preaching, Apocalypse and Judgment of Peter: the Gospel, Preaching and Apocalypse have ids on this site. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 1 (PL 23:636a–637a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-1). ## On Illustrious Men 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-2 - Source: PL 23:637a–639b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: James the Lord's brother, first bishop of Jerusalem: his letter, his holiness as told by Hegesippus, his martyrdom, and his appearance in the Gospel of the Hebrews. ### Latin text Jacobus, qui appellatur frater Domini, cognomento Justus, ut nonnulli existimant, Joseph ex alia uxore, ut autem mihi videtur, Mariae sororis Matris Domini, cujus Joannes in libro suo meminit, filius, post passionem Domini statim ab apostolis Hierosolymorum episcopus ordinatus, unam tantum scripsit epistolam, quae de septem Catholicis est, quae et ipsa ab alio quodam sub nomine ejus edita asseritur, licet paulatim tempore procedente obtinuerit auctoritatem. Hegesippus, vicinus apostolicorum temporum, in quinto Commentariorum libro de Jacobo narrans, ait: « Suscepit Ecclesiam Hierosolymorum post apostolos frater Domini Jacobus, cognomento Justus. Multi siquidem Jacobi vocabantur. Hic de utero matris sanctus fuit, vinum et siceram non bibit, carnem nullam comedit, nunquam attonsus fuit, nec unctus fuit unguento, nec usus balneo. Huic soli licitum erat ingredi Sancta sanctorum: siquidem vestibus laneis non utebatur, sed lineis, solusque ingrediebatur templum, et fixis genibus pro populo deprecabatur, in tantum, ut camelorum duritiem traxisse ejus genua crederentur. » Dicit et alia multa, quae enumerare longum esset. Sed et Josephus in vicesimo libro Antiquitatum refert, et Clemens in septimo Υποτυπώσεων, mortuo Festo, qui Judaeam regebat, missum esse a Nerone successorem ejus Albinum, qui cum necdum ad provinciam pervenisset, Ananus, inquit, pontifex, adolescens, Anani filius, de genere sacerdotali, accepta occasione άναρχίας, concilium congregavit, et compellens publice Jacobum, ut Christum Dei Filium denegaret, contradicentem, lapidari jussit. Qui cum praecipitatus de pinna templi, confractis cruribus, adhuc semianimis tendens ad coelum manus, diceret: Domine ignosce eis, quod enim faciunt, nesciunt; fullonis fuste, quo uda vestimenta extorqueri solent, in cerebro percussus interiit. Tradit item Josephus, tantae cum sanctitatis fuisse et celebritatis in populo, ut propter ejus necem, creditum sit subversam esse Hierosolymam. Hic est de quo Paulus apostolus scribit ad Galatas: Alium autem apostolorum vidi neminem, nisi Jacobum fratrem Domini. Et apostolorum super hoc crebrius Acta testantur. Evangelium quoque quod appellatur secundum Hebraeos, et a me nuper in Graecum Latinumque sermonem translatum est, quo et Origenes saepe utitur, post resurrectionem Salvatoris refert: « Dominus autem cum dedisset sindonem servo sacerdotis, ivit ad Jacobum, et apparuit. Juraverat enim Jacobus, se non comesturum panem ab illa hora qua biberat calicem Domini, donec videret eum resurgentem a dormientibus. » Rursusque post paululum: « Afferte, » ait Dominus, « mensam et panem. » Statimque additur: « Tulit panem et benedixit, ac fregit, et dedit Jacobo Justo, et dixit ei: Frater mi, comede panem tuum, quia resurrexit Filius hominis a dormientibus. » Triginta itaque annos Hierosolymorum rexit Ecclesiam, id est, usque ad septimum Neronis annum, et juxta templum ubi et praecipitatus fuerat, sepultus est. Titulum usque ad obsidionem Titi, et ultimam Hadriani, notissimum habuit. Quidam e nostris in monte Oliveti eum putaverunt conditum, sed falsa eorum opinio est. ### English translation (Claude) James, who is called the brother of the Lord, surnamed the Just, the son, as some think, of Joseph by another wife, but, as it seems to me, of Mary the sister of the Lord's mother, whom John mentions in his book, was ordained bishop of Jerusalem by the apostles immediately after the Lord's passion. He wrote only one letter, which is one of the seven Catholic letters; and it too is asserted to have been published by someone else under his name, though in the course of time it gradually gained authority. Hegesippus, who lived near the apostolic times, says in the fifth book of his Commentaries, telling of James: "After the apostles, James the brother of the Lord, surnamed the Just, took over the church of Jerusalem; for many were called James. He was holy from his mother's womb; he drank no wine or strong drink, ate no meat, was never shaved, was never anointed with ointment, and did not use the bath. To him alone it was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, since he did not use woollen garments but linen; and he alone entered the temple and prayed for the people on bended knees, so much so that his knees were believed to have acquired the hardness of a camel's." He says many other things too, which it would take long to list. Josephus, too, in the twentieth book of the Antiquities, and Clement in the seventh of the Hypotyposes, relate that when Festus, who governed Judaea, had died, Nero sent Albinus as his successor; and before he had reached the province, Ananus the high priest, he says, a young man, son of Ananus, of priestly family, taking the opportunity of the absence of government, assembled a council and, publicly compelling James to deny that Christ was the Son of God, ordered him to be stoned when he refused. When, thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple, his legs broken, still half alive, raising his hands to heaven, he said, "Lord, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing", he was struck on the head with a fuller's club, with which wet clothes are usually wrung out, and died. Josephus likewise relates that he was of such holiness and fame among the people that it was believed that Jerusalem was destroyed because of his murder. This is the one of whom the apostle Paul writes to the Galatians: "But I saw none of the other apostles except James the brother of the Lord." And the Acts of the Apostles often bear witness about this. The Gospel too which is called according to the Hebrews, which I recently translated into Greek and Latin, and which Origen also often uses, relates after the Saviour's resurrection: "And when the Lord had given the linen cloth to the servant of the priest, he went to James and appeared to him. For James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the Lord's cup until he should see him rising from those who sleep." And again a little later: "Bring," the Lord says, "a table and bread." And immediately it is added: "He took bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to James the Just, and said to him: My brother, eat your bread, for the Son of Man has risen from those who sleep." So he ruled the church of Jerusalem for thirty years, that is, until the seventh year of Nero, and was buried near the temple, where he had also been thrown down. His tombstone was well known until the siege of Titus and the last one of Hadrian. Some of our people thought he was buried on the Mount of Olives, but their opinion is false. ### Scripture references - John 19:25: allusion, high confidence - Gal 1:19: quotation, high confidence - Luke 23:34: quotation, high confidence - Jas 1:1: allusion, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Hegesippus, 5 (Hegesippus, Memoirs (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Josephus, Ant. 20.200 (Josephus (works)): allusion, high confidence - Clement of Alexandria, Clement, Hyp. 7 (Clement of Alexandria, Hypotyposes (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Gos. Heb. (Gospel of the Hebrews): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Jerome takes James to be the son of Mary the sister of Jesus' mother (John 19:25), a cousin of Jesus; translated as written. Josephus, Ant. 20.200; Gal 1:19; Luke 23:34. The Gospel according to the Hebrews is quoted from Jerome's own knowledge. The claim that Jerusalem fell because of James's death is not in our text of Josephus. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 2 (PL 23:637a–639b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-2). ## On Illustrious Men 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-3 - Source: PL 23:639b–640d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matthew wrote his Gospel in Hebrew; Jerome copied a Hebrew Gospel used by the Nazarenes and notes that Matthew quotes the Hebrew Old Testament. ### Latin text Matthaeus, qui et Levi, ex publicano apostolus, primus in Judaea propter eos qui ex circumcisione crediderant, Evangelium Christi Hebraicis litteris verbisque composuit: quod quis postea in Graecum transtulerit, non satis certum est. Porro ipsum Hebraicum habetur usque hodie in Caesariensi bibliotheca, quam Pamphilus martyr studiosissime confecit. Mihi quoque a Nazaraeis, qui in Beroea urbe Syriae hoc volumine utuntur, describendi facultas fuit. In quo animadvertendum, quod ubicunque evangelista, sive ex persona sua, sive ex persona Domini Salvatoris, veteris Scripturae testimoniis abutitur, non sequatur Septuaginta Translatorum auctoritatem, sed Hebraicam, e quibus illa duo sunt: Ex AEgypto vocati filium meum; et: Quoniam Nazaroeus vocabitur. ### English translation (Claude) Matthew, also called Levi, apostle and formerly tax collector, first composed a Gospel of Christ in Judaea in Hebrew letters and words, for the sake of those of the circumcision who had believed; who afterwards translated it into Greek is not sufficiently certain. The Hebrew itself is kept to this day in the library at Caesarea, which Pamphilus the martyr collected with great zeal. I too had the opportunity of copying it from the Nazarenes, who use this volume in Beroea, a city of Syria. In it it is to be noted that wherever the evangelist, whether in his own person or in that of the Lord and Saviour, uses testimonies of the Old Scripture, he follows not the authority of the Seventy translators but the Hebrew; among them are these two: "Out of Egypt I have called my son", and "For he shall be called a Nazarene." ### Scripture references - Matt 9:9: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 2:15: quotation, high confidence - Hos 11:1: quotation, high confidence - Matt 2:23: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Matt 2:15 (Hos 11:1) and Matt 2:23. Jerome's identification of the Nazarenes' Hebrew Gospel with Matthew's original is his own and disputed. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 3 (PL 23:639b–640d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-3). ## On Illustrious Men 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-4 - Source: PL 23:640 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Jude's short letter, doubted because it quotes Enoch, is now accepted among the Scriptures. ### Latin text Judas frater Jacobi parvam, quae de septem Catholicis est, epistolam reliquit. Et quia de libro Enoch, qui apocryphus est, in ea assumit testimonium, a plerisque rejicitur, tamen auctoritatem vetustate jam et usu meruit, et inter sanctas Scripturas computatur. ### English translation (Claude) Jude, the brother of James, left a short letter, which is one of the seven Catholic letters. And because it takes a testimony from the book of Enoch, which is apocryphal, it is rejected by most; yet it has now earned authority by its antiquity and use, and is counted among the holy Scriptures. ### Scripture references - Jude 1:14: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - 1 En. 1.9 (1 Enoch): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Jude 14–15 quotes 1 En. 1:9. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 4 (PL 23:640; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-4). ## On Illustrious Men 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-5 - Source: PL 23:640b–642d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul: his origins, conversion, mission, imprisonment, release and martyrdom under Nero; his letters, and opinions on Hebrews and the letter to the Laodiceans. ### Latin text Paulus apostolus, qui ante Saulus, extra numerum duodecim apostolorum, de tribu Benjamin et oppido Judaeae Giscalis fuit, quo a Romanis capto, cum parentibus suis Tarsum Ciliciae commigravit, a quibus ob studia Legis missus Hierosolymam, a Gamaliele viro doctissimo, cujus Lucas meminit, eruditus est. Cum autem interfuisset neci martyris Stephani, et acceptis a pontifice templi epistolis ad persequendos eos qui Christo crediderant, Damascum pergeret, revelatione compulsus ad fidem, quae in Actibus apostolorum scribitur, in vas electionis de persecutore translatus est. Cumque primum ad praedicationem ejus Sergius Paulus proconsul Cypri credidisset, ab eo quod eum Christi fidei subegerat, sortitus est nomen Paulus, et juncto sibi Barnaba, multis urbibus peragratis, revertensque Hierosolymam, a Petro, Jacobo et Joanne gentium Apostolus ordinatur. Et quia in Actibus apostolorum plenissime de ejus conversatione scriptum est, hoc tantum dicam, quod post passionem Domini vicesimo quinto anno, id est secundo Neronis, eo tempore quo Festus procurator Judaeae successit Felici, Romam vinctus mittitur, et biennium in libera manens custodia, adversus Judaeos de adventu Christi quotidie disputavit. Sciendum autem in prima satisfactione, necdum Neronis imperio roborato, nec in tanta erumpente scelera, quanta de eo narrant historiae, Paulum a Nerone dimissum, ut Evangelium Christi in Occidentis quoque partibus praedicaretur, sicut ipse scribit in secunda Epistola ad Timotheum, eo tempore quo et passus est, de vinculis dictans Epistolam: In prima mea satisfactione nemo mihi adfuit, sed omnes me dereliquerunt; non eis imputetur. Dominus autem mihi adfuit, et confortavit me, ut per me proedicatio compleretur, et audirent omnes gentes, et liberatus sum de ore leonis, manifestissime leonem propter crudelitatem Neronem significans. Et in sequentibus: Liberatus sum de ore leonis. Et statim: Liberabit me Dominus ab omni opere malo, et salvabit me in regnum suum coeleste, quod scilicet praesens sibi sentiret imminere martyrium. Nam et in eadem Epistola praemiserat: Ego enim jam immolor, et tempus resolutionis meoe instat. Hic ergo quarto decimo Neronis anno, eodem die quo Petrus Romae, pro Christo capite truncatur, sepultusque est in via Ostiensi, anno post passionem Domini tricesimo septimo. Scripsit autem novem ad septem Ecclesias epistolas, ad Romanos unam, ad Corinthios duas, ad Galatas unam, ad Ephesios unam, ad Philippenses unam, ad Colossenses unam, ad Thessalonicenses duas, praeterea ad discipulos suos, Timotheo duas, Tito unam, Philemoni unam. Epistola autem quae fertur ad Hebraeos, non ejus creditur, propter styli sermonisque dissonantiam, sed vel Barnabae, juxta Tertullianum, vel Lucae evangelistae, juxta quosdam, vel Clementis Romanae postea Ecclesiae episcopi, quem aiunt ipsi adjunctum sententias Pauli proprio ordinasse et ornasse sermone. Vel certe quia Paulus scribebat ad Hebraeos, et propter invidiam sui apud eos nominis, titulum in principio salutationis amputaverit. Scripserat ut Hebraeus Hebraice, id est, suo eloquio disertissime ut ea quae eloquenter scripta fuerunt in Hebraeo, eloquentius verterentur in Graecum, et hanc causam esse, quod a caeteris Pauli Epistolis discrepare videatur. Legunt quidam et ad Laodicenses, sed ab omnibus exploditur. ### English translation (Claude) The apostle Paul, formerly Saul, outside the number of the twelve apostles, was of the tribe of Benjamin and the town of Giscala in Judaea; when it was taken by the Romans, he moved with his parents to Tarsus in Cilicia. Sent by them to Jerusalem to study the Law, he was taught by Gamaliel, a very learned man, whom Luke mentions. Having been present at the killing of the martyr Stephen, and having received letters from the high priest of the temple to persecute those who had believed in Christ, as he was going to Damascus he was driven to faith by the revelation which is written in the Acts of the Apostles, and was changed from a persecutor into a vessel of election. When Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus, was the first to believe at his preaching, he took the name Paul from him, because he had brought him under the faith of Christ. Joined with Barnabas, he travelled through many cities, and returning to Jerusalem was ordained apostle of the Gentiles by Peter, James, and John. And since his conduct is written of most fully in the Acts of the Apostles, I will say only this: in the twenty-fifth year after the Lord's passion, that is, the second of Nero, at the time when Festus, procurator of Judaea, succeeded Felix, he was sent bound to Rome, and, remaining two years in free custody, he disputed daily with the Jews about the coming of Christ. It should be known, however, that at his first defence, when Nero's power was not yet established nor had he broken out into such crimes as the histories relate of him, Paul was released by Nero, so that the Gospel of Christ might be preached in the western regions too; as he himself writes in the second letter to Timothy, at the time when he also suffered, dictating the letter in chains: "At my first defence no one stood by me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching might be fulfilled and all the nations might hear; and I was delivered from the mouth of the lion", most clearly meaning Nero by the lion because of his cruelty. And in what follows: "I was delivered from the mouth of the lion." And immediately: "The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will save me into his heavenly kingdom", since, that is, he felt that martyrdom was at hand. For in the same letter he had said earlier: "For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." In the fourteenth year of Nero, then, on the same day as Peter, he was beheaded at Rome for Christ and buried on the Ostian Way, in the thirty-seventh year after the Lord's passion. He wrote nine letters to seven churches: one to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one to the Galatians, one to the Ephesians, one to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians; and besides to his disciples, two to Timothy, one to Titus, one to Philemon. But the letter which is called To the Hebrews is not believed to be his, because of the difference of style and language, but either Barnabas's, according to Tertullian, or Luke the evangelist's, according to some, or Clement's, afterwards bishop of the church of Rome, who, they say, joined to Paul, arranged and adorned Paul's thoughts in his own language. Or else, since Paul was writing to the Hebrews and his name was unpopular among them, he cut off the title at the beginning of the greeting. He had written as a Hebrew in Hebrew, that is, very eloquently in his own tongue, so that what had been written eloquently in Hebrew was turned more eloquently into Greek; and this is the reason why it seems to differ from Paul's other letters. Some also read one to the Laodiceans, but it is rejected by all. ### Scripture references - Acts 22:3: allusion, high confidence - Acts 7:58: allusion, high confidence - Acts 9:15: allusion, high confidence - Acts 13:7: allusion, high confidence - Gal 2:9: allusion, high confidence - Acts 28:30: allusion, high confidence - 2 Tim 4:16: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 4:17: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 4:18: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 4:6: quotation, high confidence - Col 4:16: allusion, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Tertullian, Pud. 20 (On Modesty): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Acts 22:3; 7:58; 9:1–19; 13:7–12; Gal 2:9; Acts 28:30; 2 Tim 4:16–18, 6. 'Vessel of election': Acts 9:15. Tertullian ascribes Hebrews to Barnabas in On Modesty 20. Jerome's account of Giscala and of Paul's release is his own and uncertain. Migne marks a variant 'vertisse' in brackets, removed. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 5 (PL 23:640b–642d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-5). ## On Illustrious Men 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-6 - Source: PL 23:642b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Barnabas, Paul's companion, wrote one letter now counted among the apocrypha. ### Latin text Barnabas Cyprius, qui et Joseph Levites, cum Paulo gentium apostolus ordinatus, unam ad aedificationem Ecclesiae pertinentem Epistolam composuit, quae inter apocryphas scripturas legitur. Hic postea propter Joannem discipulum, qui et Marcus vocabatur, separatus a Paulo, nihilominus evangelicae praedicationis injunctum sibi opus exercuit. ### English translation (Claude) Barnabas of Cyprus, also called Joseph the Levite, ordained apostle of the Gentiles with Paul, composed one letter, for the building up of the church, which is read among the apocryphal writings. Afterwards, separated from Paul because of the disciple John, also called Mark, he nonetheless carried on the work of preaching the Gospel entrusted to him. ### Scripture references - Acts 4:36: allusion, high confidence - Acts 15:39: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Barn. (Epistle of Barnabas): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Acts 4:36; 13:2; 15:37–39. The letter is the Epistle of Barnabas, generally regarded as not by him. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 6 (PL 23:642b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-6). ## On Illustrious Men 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-7 - Source: PL 23:642b–643d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Luke the physician wrote the Gospel and Acts; the Acts of Paul and Thecla are apocryphal, written by a presbyter deposed for it. ### Latin text Lucas medicus Antiochensis, ut ejus scripta indicant, Graeci sermonis non ignarus fuit, sectator apostoli Pauli, et omnis peregrinationis ejus comes, scripsit Evangelium, de quo idem Paulus: Misimus, inquit, cum illo fratrem, cujus laus est in Evangelio per omnes Ecclesias; et ad Colossenses: Salutat vos Lucas medicus charissimus; et ad Timotheum: Lucas est mecum solus. Aliud quoque edidit volumen egregium, quod titulo Apostolicarum πράξεων praenotatur, cujus historia usque ad biennium Romae commorantis Pauli pervenit, id est, usque ad quartum Neronis annum. Ex quo intelligimus, in eadem urbe librum esse compositum. Igitur περιόδους Pauli, et Theclae, et totam baptizati Leonis fabulam, inter apocryphas scripturas computamus. Quale enim est, ut individuus comes Apostoli inter caeteras ejus res hoc solum ignoraverit? Sed et Tertullianus, vicinus eorum temporum, refert presbyterum quemdam in Asia σπουδαστήν apostoli Pauli, convictum apud Joannem, quod auctor esset libri, et confessum se hoc Pauli amore fecisse, loco excidisse. Quidam suspicantur, quotiescunque in Epistolis suis Paulus dicit, juxta Evangelium meum, de Lucae significare volumine, et Lucam non solum ab apostolo Paulo didicisse Evangelium, qui cum Domino in carne non fuerat, sed et a caeteris apostolis. Quod ipse quoque in principio sui voluminis declarat, dicens: Sicut tradiderunt nobis, qui a principio ipsi viderunt, et ministri fuerunt sermonis. Igitur Evangelium sicut audierat, scripsit. Acta vero Apostolorum sicut viderat, composuit. Sepultus est Constantinopoli ad quam urbem vicesimo Constantii anno ossa ejus cum reliquiis Andreae apostoli translata sunt. ### English translation (Claude) Luke, a physician of Antioch, as his writings show, was not unskilled in the Greek language. A follower of the apostle Paul and companion of all his travels, he wrote a Gospel, of which the same Paul says: "We have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches"; and to the Colossians: "Luke, the beloved physician, greets you"; and to Timothy: "Luke alone is with me." He also published another excellent volume, entitled Acts of the Apostles, whose history goes as far as Paul's two-year stay at Rome, that is, to the fourth year of Nero. From this we understand that the book was composed in that city. So we count the Travels of Paul and Thecla, and the whole fable of the baptized lion, among the apocryphal writings. For how could the inseparable companion of the Apostle have been ignorant of this alone among his other doings? Tertullian too, who lived close to those times, relates that a certain presbyter in Asia, a devotee of the apostle Paul, convicted before John of being the author of the book, and confessing that he had done it out of love for Paul, was removed from his office. Some suspect that whenever Paul says in his letters "according to my Gospel" he means Luke's volume, and that Luke learned the Gospel not only from the apostle Paul, who had not been with the Lord in the flesh, but also from the other apostles. He himself declares this too at the beginning of his volume, saying: "Just as those handed them down to us who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word." So he wrote the Gospel as he had heard it, but composed the Acts of the Apostles as he had seen them. He is buried at Constantinople, to which city his bones, with the relics of the apostle Andrew, were moved in the twentieth year of Constantius. ### Scripture references - 2 Cor 8:18: quotation, high confidence - Col 4:14: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 4:11: quotation, high confidence - Rom 2:16: allusion, high confidence - Luke 1:2: quotation, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Acts Paul (Acts of Paul): allusion, high confidence - Tertullian, Bapt. 17 (On Baptism): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - 2 Cor 8:18; Col 4:14 (Migne's inline reference is removed); 2 Tim 4:11; Rom 2:16; Luke 1:2. Tertullian, On Baptism 17. A manuscript variant noted by Migne in brackets is removed. Jerome's statement that the presbyter was convicted 'before John' is not in our text of Tertullian. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 7 (PL 23:642b–643d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-7). ## On Illustrious Men 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-8 - Source: PL 23:644a–645b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mark wrote his Gospel from Peter's preaching, founded the church of Alexandria, and is the occasion of Philo's praise of the first Christians there. ### Latin text Marcus discipulus et interpres Petri, juxta quod Petrum referentem audierat, rogatus Romae a fratribus, breve scripsit Evangelium. Quod cum Petrus audisset, probavit, et Ecclesiis legendum sua auctoritate edidit, sicut Clemens in sexto Υποτυπώσεων libro scribit, et Papias Hierapolitanus episcopus. Meminit hujus Marci et Petrus in Epistola prima, sub nomine Babylonis figuraliter Romam significans: Salutat vos quoe in Babylone est coelecta, et Marcus filius meus. Assumpto itaque Evangelio quod ipse confecerat, perrexit AEgyptum, et primus Alexandriae Christum annuntians, constituit Ecclesiam, tanta doctrina et vitae continentia, ut omnes sectatores Christi ad exemplum sui cogeret. Denique Philo disertissimus Judaeorum, videns Alexandriae primam Ecclesiam adhuc judaizantem, quasi in laudem gentis suae librum super eorum conversatione scripsit. Et quomodo Lucas narrat, Hierosolymae credentes omnia habuisse communia: sic et ille quod Alexandriae sub Marco fieri doctore cernebat, memoriae tradidit. Mortuus est autem octavo Neronis anno, et sepultus Alexandriae, succedente sibi Anniano. ### English translation (Claude) Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, at the request of the brothers at Rome, wrote a short Gospel according to what he had heard Peter relate. When Peter heard it, he approved it and issued it to the churches to be read by his authority, as Clement writes in the sixth book of the Hypotyposes, and Papias, bishop of Hierapolis. Peter too mentions this Mark in his first letter, meaning Rome figuratively under the name of Babylon: "She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark my son." So, taking the Gospel he had composed, he went to Egypt, and, first proclaiming Christ at Alexandria, founded a church, with such teaching and continence of life that he drew all the followers of Christ to his example. Finally Philo, the most eloquent of the Jews, seeing the first church at Alexandria still judaizing, wrote a book about their way of life as if in praise of his own people. And as Luke relates that the believers at Jerusalem held all things in common, so he recorded what he saw being done at Alexandria under Mark's teaching. He died in the eighth year of Nero and was buried at Alexandria, Annianus succeeding him. ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 5:13: quotation, high confidence - Acts 4:32: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Clement of Alexandria, Clement, Hyp. 6 (Clement of Alexandria, Hypotyposes (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Papias (Papias (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Philo, Contempl. (Philo of Alexandria (works)): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 2.16 (Church History): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - 1 Pet 5:13; Acts 2:44; 4:32. Philo's book is On the Contemplative Life, which describes the Therapeutae; Jerome follows Eusebius (Church History 2.16–17) in taking them for Christians, which is doubtful. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 8 (PL 23:644a–645b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-8). ## On Illustrious Men 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-9 - Source: PL 23:645b–647c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the apostle wrote the last Gospel against Cerinthus and the Ebionites, one letter, and the Apocalypse on Patmos; the second and third letters are ascribed to John the presbyter. ### Latin text Joannes apostolus, quem Jesus amavit plurimum, filius Zebedaei, frater Jacobi apostoli, quem Herodes post passionem Domini decollavit, novissimus omnium scripsit Evangelium, rogatus ab Asiae episcopis, adversus Cerinthum, aliosque haereticos, et maxime tunc Ebionitarum dogma consurgens, qui asserunt Christum ante Mariam non fuisse. Unde et compulsus est divinam ejus nativitatem edicere. Sed et aliam causam hujus scripturae ferunt, quod cum legisset Matthaei, Marci et Lucae volumina, probaverit quidem textum historiae, et vera eos dixisse firmaverit, sed unius tantum anni, in quo et passus est, post carcerem Joannis, historiam texuisse. Praetermisso itaque anno, cujus acta a tribus exposita fuerant, superioris temporis antequam Joannes clauderetur in carcerem, gesta narravit: sicut manifestum esse poterit his qui diligenter quatuor Evangeliorum volumina legerint. Quae res etiam διαφωνίαν (dissonantiam), quae videtur Joannis esse cum caeteris, tollit. Scripsit autem et unam Epistolam, cujus exordium est: Quod fuit ab initio, quod audivimus, et vidimus oculis nostris, quod perspeximus, et manus nostroe contrectaverunt de Verbo vitoe, quae ab universis ecclesiasticis et eruditis viris probatur. Reliquae autem duae, quarum principium est: Senior Electoe dominoe et natis ejus, et sequentis: Senior Caio charissimo, quem ego diligo in veritate, Joannis presbyteri asseruntur, cujus et hodie alterum sepulcrum apud Ephesum ostenditur, etsi nonnulli putant duas memorias ejusdem Joannis evangelistae esse, super qua re cum per ordinem ad Papiam auditorem ejus ventum fuerit, disseremus. Quarto decimo igitur anno, secundum post Neronem persecutionem movente Domitiano, in Patmos insulam relegatus, scripsit Apocalypsim, quam interpretatur Justinus Martyr et Irenaeus. Interfecto autem Domitiano, et actis ejus ob nimiam crudelitatem a senatu rescissis, sub Nerva principe redit Ephesum, ibique usque ad Trajanum principem perseverans, totas Asiae fundavit rexitque Ecclesias, et confectus senio, sexagesimo octavo post passionem Domini anno mortuus, juxta eamdem urbem sepultus est. ### English translation (Claude) The apostle John, whom Jesus loved most, son of Zebedee, brother of the apostle James whom Herod beheaded after the Lord's passion, wrote his Gospel last of all, at the request of the bishops of Asia, against Cerinthus and other heretics, and especially the then rising doctrine of the Ebionites, who assert that Christ did not exist before Mary. Hence he was compelled to declare his divine birth too. But they give another reason for this writing as well: that when he had read the volumes of Matthew, Mark and Luke, he approved the text of the history and confirmed that they had spoken the truth, but that they had written the history of only one year, the one in which he also suffered, after John's imprisonment. So, passing over that year, whose events had been set out by the three, he told what was done in the earlier time, before John was shut up in prison; as will be clear to those who read the volumes of the four Gospels carefully. This also removes the discrepancy which seems to exist between John and the rest. He also wrote one letter, which begins: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard and seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life", which is approved by all churchmen and learned men. But the other two, which begin "The elder to the elect lady and her children" and the next "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth", are said to be by John the presbyter, whose other tomb is shown to this day at Ephesus, though some think there are two memorials of the same John the evangelist; we will discuss this when we come in order to Papias, his hearer. In the fourteenth year, then, when Domitian raised the second persecution after Nero, he was banished to the island of Patmos and wrote the Apocalypse, which Justin Martyr and Irenaeus interpret. But when Domitian was killed and his acts were annulled by the senate because of their excessive cruelty, he returned to Ephesus under the emperor Nerva, and remaining there until the emperor Trajan, he founded and governed all the churches of Asia; worn out with old age, he died in the sixty-eighth year after the Lord's passion and was buried near the same city. ### Scripture references - John 13:23: allusion, high confidence - Acts 12:2: allusion, high confidence - 1 John 1:1: quotation, high confidence - 2 John 1:1: quotation, high confidence - 3 John 1:1: quotation, high confidence - Rev 1:9: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 3.24 (Church History): allusion, medium confidence - Irenaeus, Haer. (Against Heresies): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - John 13:23; Acts 12:2; 1 John 1:1; 2 John 1; 3 John 1; Rev 1:9. The theory about the 'one year' of the Synoptics follows Eusebius, Church History 3.24. The attribution of 2–3 John to John the presbyter is reported as Jerome gives it. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 9 (PL 23:645b–647c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-9). ## On Illustrious Men 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-10 - Source: PL 23:647 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hermas, perhaps the one greeted in Romans, is said to have written the Shepherd, read in Greek churches but almost unknown to the Latins. ### Latin text Herman, cujus apostolus Paulus ad Romanos scribens meminit: Salutate Asyncritum, Phlegonte, Herman, Patroban, Hermen, et qui cum eis fratres sunt, asserunt auctorem esse libri, qui appellatur Pastor, et apud quasdam Graeciae Ecclesias jam publice legitur. Revera utilis liber, multique de eo scriptorum veterum usurpavere testimonia. Sed apud Latinos pene ignotus est. ### English translation (Claude) Hermas, whom the apostle Paul mentions when writing to the Romans: "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers who are with them": they assert that he is the author of the book called the Shepherd, which is now read publicly in some churches of Greece. It is indeed a useful book, and many of the ancient writers have used testimonies from it. But among the Latins it is almost unknown. ### Scripture references - Rom 16:14: quotation, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Herm. Vis. (Shepherd of Hermas: Visions): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Rom 16:14. The identification of the author of the Shepherd with this Hermas is reported, not affirmed. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 10 (PL 23:647; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-10). ## On Illustrious Men 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-11 - Source: PL 23:647b–648c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Philo the Jew is included because his book on the Therapeutae was read as praise of the first Christians at Alexandria; his works are listed. ### Latin text Philo Judaeus, natione Alexandrinus, de genere sacerdotum, idcirco a nobis inter scriptores ecclesiasticos ponitur, quia librum de prima Marci evangelistae apud Alexandriam scribens Ecclesia, in nostrorum laude versatus est, non solum eos ibi, sed in multis quoque provinciis esse memorans, et habitacula eorum dicens monasteria. Ex quo apparet talem primum Christo credentium fuisse Ecclesiam, quales nunc monachi esse nituntur et cupiunt, ut nihil cujusquam proprium sit, nullus inter eos dives, nullus pauper. Patrimonia egentibus dividuntur, orationi vacatur et psalmis, doctrinae quoque et continentiae, quales et Lucas refert primum Hierosolymae fuisse credentes. Aiunt hunc sub Caio Caligula Romae periclitatum, quo legatus gentis suae missus fuerat. Cum secunda vice venisset ad Claudium, in eadem urbe locutum esse cum apostolo Petro, ejusque habuisse amicitias, et ob hanc causam etiam Marci, discipuli Petri, apud Alexandriam sectatores ornasse laudibus suis. Exstant hujus praeclara et innumerabilia opera in quinque libros Moysi, de Confusione linguarum liber unus, de Natura et Inventione liber unus, de His quae sensu precamur et detestamur liber unus, de Eruditione liber unus, de Haerede divinarum rerum liber unus, de Divisione aequalium et contrariorum liber, de Tribus virtutibus liber unus, Quare quorumdam in Scripturis mutata sunt nomina liber unus, de Pactis libri duo, de Vita sapientis liber unus, de Gigantibus liber unus, Quod somnia mittantur a Deo libri quinque, Quaestionum et solutionum in Exodo libri quinque, de Tabernaculo et Decalogo libri quatuor, necnon de Victimis et Repromissionibus, sive Maledictis, de Providentia, de Judaeis, de Conversatione vitae, de Alexandro, et Quod propriam rationem muta animalia habeant, et Quod omnis insipiens servus sit, et de Vita nostrorum liber unus, de quo supra diximus, id est, de apostolicis viris, quem et inscripsit περὶ Βίου θεωρητικοῦ Ικετών, quod videlicet coelestia contemplentur, et semper Deum orent. Et sub aliis indicibus, de Agricultura duo, de Ebrietate duo. Sunt et alia ejus monumenta ingenii, quae in nostras manus non pervenerunt. De hoc vulgo apud Graecos dicitur,"Η Πλάτων φιλωνίζει, ή Φίλων πλατωνίζει: id est, aut Plato Philonem sequitur, aut Platonem Philo: tanta est similitudo sensuum et eloquii. ### English translation (Claude) Philo the Jew, an Alexandrian by birth, of a priestly family, is placed by us among the church writers because, writing a book about the first church of Mark the evangelist at Alexandria, he spent himself in praise of our people, recording that they were not only there but also in many provinces, and calling their dwellings monasteries. From this it appears that the first church of believers in Christ was such as monks now strive and desire to be: that nothing belongs to anyone, none among them is rich, none poor. Their inheritances are divided among the needy; they give themselves to prayer and psalms, to learning and continence, such as Luke reports the first believers at Jerusalem to have been. They say that he was in danger at Rome under Gaius Caligula, to whom he had been sent as envoy of his people; that when he came a second time, to Claudius, he spoke in the same city with the apostle Peter and was his friend, and for this reason also praised the followers of Mark, Peter's disciple, at Alexandria. There survive famous and innumerable works of his on the five books of Moses: On the Confusion of Tongues, one book; On Nature and Invention, one book; On the Things We Pray For and Detest according to Sense, one book; On Learning, one book; On the Heir of Divine Things, one book; On the Division of Equals and Opposites, a book; On the Three Virtues, one book; Why the Names of Some Have Been Changed in the Scriptures, one book; On Covenants, two books; On the Life of the Wise Man, one book; On the Giants, one book; That Dreams Are Sent by God, five books; Questions and Answers on Exodus, five books; On the Tabernacle and the Decalogue, four books; also On Victims and Promises, or Curses; On Providence; On the Jews; On the Conduct of Life; On Alexander; That Dumb Animals Have Their Own Reason; That Every Fool Is a Slave; and On Our Way of Life, one book, of which we spoke above, that is, on apostolic men, which he also entitled On the Contemplative Life of Suppliants, because, that is, they contemplate heavenly things and always pray to God. And under other titles, On Agriculture, two books, On Drunkenness, two. There are other monuments of his genius too which have not come into our hands. Of him it is commonly said among the Greeks: "Either Plato philonizes or Philo platonizes", that is, either Plato follows Philo or Philo Plato, so great is the likeness of thought and style. ### Scripture references - Acts 4:32: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Philo (Philo of Alexandria (works)): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 2.17 (Church History): allusion, medium confidence - Plato (Plato (works)): allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - Acts 2:44–45; 4:32. Jerome follows Eusebius (Church History 2.16–18) in taking Philo's Therapeutae for Christians and in the meeting with Peter; both are doubtful. Several titles in the list do not match Philo's surviving works exactly. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 11 (PL 23:647b–648c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-11). ## On Illustrious Men 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-12 - Source: PL 23:650a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Seneca is included because of the letters said to have passed between him and Paul. ### Latin text Lucius Annaeus Seneca Cordubensis, Sotionis Stoici discipulus, et patruus Lucani poetae, continentissimae vitae fuit, quem non ponerem in Catalogo Sanctorum, nisi me illae Epistolae provocarent, quae leguntur a plurimis Pauli ad Senecam, et Senecae ad Paulum. In quibus, cum esset Neronis magister, et illius temporis potentissimus, optare se dicit ejus esse loci apud suos, cujus sit Paulus apud Christianos. Hic ante biennium quam Petrus et Paulus coronarentur martyrio, a Nerone interfectus est. ### English translation (Claude) Lucius Annaeus Seneca of Corduba, a disciple of Sotion the Stoic and uncle of the poet Lucan, was of a most continent life. I would not place him in the catalogue of saints if those letters did not prompt me which are read by very many, of Paul to Seneca and of Seneca to Paul. In them, though he was Nero's teacher and the most powerful man of that time, he says he wishes he had such a place among his own people as Paul had among the Christians. He was killed by Nero two years before Peter and Paul were crowned with martyrdom. ### Extrabiblical texts - Seneca (Seneca): allusion, medium confidence - Corr. Paul Sen. (Correspondence of Paul and Seneca): echo, high confidence ### Translation notes - The correspondence between Paul and Seneca is now generally regarded as a fourth-century forgery; Jerome reports it as read. It has no id on this site. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 12 (PL 23:650a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-12). ## On Illustrious Men 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-13 - Source: PL 23:650b–651a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Josephus's works are listed, with his testimony to Christ from the Antiquities. ### Latin text Josephus Matthiae filius, ex Hierosolymis sacerdos, a Vespasiano captus, cum Tito filio ejus relictus est. Hic Romam veniens, septem libros Judaicae captivitatis imperatoribus patri filioque obtulit, qui et bibliothecae publicae traditi sunt, et ob ingenii gloriam statuam quoque meruit Romae. Scripsit autem et alios viginti Antiquitatum libros, ab exordio mundi usque ad decimum quartum annum Domitiani Caesaris, et duos Αρχαιότητας, adversum Appionem grammaticum Alexandrinum, qui sub Caligula legatus missus ex parte Gentilium, contra Philonem etiam librum, vituperationem gentis Judaicae continentem, scripserat. Alius quoque liber ejus, qui inscribitur περὶ Αὐτοκράτορος λογισμού, valde elegans habetur, in quo et Machabaeorum sunt digesta. Hic in decimo octavo Antiquitatum libro manifestissime confitetur, propter magnitudinem signorum Christum a Pharisaeis interfectum, et Joannem Baptistam vere prophetam fuisse, et propter interfectionem Jacobi apostoli dirutam Hierosolymam. Scripsit autem de Domino in hunc modum: « Eodem tempore fuit Jesus, vir sapiens, si tamen virum oportet eum dicere. Erat enim mirabilium patrator operum, et doctor eorum, qui libenter vera suscipiunt: plurimos quoque tam de Judaeis quam de gentibus sui habuit sectatores, et credebatur esse Christus. Cumque invidia nostrorum principum cruci eum Pilatus addixisset, nihilominus qui eum primum dilexerant, perseveraverunt. Apparuit enim eis tertia die vivens, multa et haec alia mirabilia carminibus prophetarum de eo vaticinantibus, et usque hodie Christianorum gens ab hoc sortita vocabulum, non defecit. » ### English translation (Claude) Josephus, son of Matthias, a priest from Jerusalem, captured by Vespasian, was left with his son Titus. Coming to Rome, he presented seven books of the Jewish Captivity to the emperors, father and son, which were placed in the public library; and because of the glory of his talent he even earned a statue at Rome. He also wrote twenty other books of Antiquities, from the beginning of the world to the fourteenth year of Domitian Caesar, and two books On Antiquity against Apion, the Alexandrian grammarian, who, sent as envoy of the pagans under Caligula, had also written a book against Philo containing an attack on the Jewish nation. Another book of his too, entitled On the Supremacy of Reason, is considered very elegant; in it the story of the Maccabees is set out. In the eighteenth book of the Antiquities he most plainly confesses that Christ was killed by the Pharisees because of the greatness of his signs, that John the Baptist was truly a prophet, and that Jerusalem was destroyed because of the killing of the apostle James. He wrote about the Lord in this way: "At the same time there was Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was a doer of wonderful works, and a teacher of those who gladly receive the truth; he also had very many followers both from the Jews and from the Gentiles, and he was believed to be the Christ. And when, through the envy of our leaders, Pilate had condemned him to the cross, those who had first loved him nonetheless persevered. For he appeared to them living on the third day, the songs of the prophets having foretold of him these and many other wonderful things; and to this day the race of Christians, which took its name from him, has not died out." ### Extrabiblical texts - Josephus, Ant. 18.63-64 (Josephus (works)): quotation, high confidence - 4 Macc (4 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Josephus, Ant. 18.63–64 (the 'Testimonium Flavianum'), in Jerome's form ('he was believed to be the Christ'); its authenticity in this form is disputed. 'On the Supremacy of Reason' is 4 Maccabees, wrongly ascribed to Josephus. The claims about the Pharisees and about James are not in our text of Josephus. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 13 (PL 23:650b–651a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-13). ## On Illustrious Men 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-14 - Source: PL 23:651b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Justus of Tiberias, a Jewish historian accused of falsehood by Josephus. ### Latin text Justus Tiberiensis, de provincia Galilaea, conatus est et ipse Judaicarum rerum historiam texere, et quosdam Commentariolos de Scripturis componere; sed hunc Josephus arguit mendacii. Constat autem illum eo tempore scripsisse, quo et Josephus. ### English translation (Claude) Justus of Tiberias, of the province of Galilee, also tried to compose a history of Jewish affairs and some short commentaries on the Scriptures; but Josephus convicts him of lying. It is certain that he wrote at the same time as Josephus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Josephus, Life 336 (Josephus (works)): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Josephus, Life 336–367 (Migne's inline reference is removed). ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 14 (PL 23:651b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-14). ## On Illustrious Men 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-15 - Source: PL 23:651b–652a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Clement of Rome wrote 1 Clement, which resembles Hebrews; 2 Clement and the Disputation of Peter and Apion are wrongly ascribed to him. ### Latin text Clemens, de quo apostolus Paulus ad Philippenses scribens, ait, Cum Clemente et coeteris cooperatoribus meis, quorum nomina scripta sunt in libro vitoe, quartus post Petrum Romae episcopus: siquidem secundus Linus fuit, tertius Anacletus, tametsi plerique Latinorum secundum post Petrum apostolum putent fuisse Clementem. Scripsit ex persona Romanae Ecclesiae ad Ecclesiam Corinthiorum valde utilem Epistolam, quae et in nonnullis locis publice legitur, quae mihi videtur characteri Epistolae, quae sub Pauli nomine ad Hebraeos fertur, convenire. Sed et multis de eadem Epistola, non solum sensibus, sed juxta verborum quoque ordinem abutitur. Omnino grandis in utraque similitudo est. Fertur et secunda ejus nomine Epistola, quae a veteribus reprobatur. Et Disputatio Petri et Appionis longo sermone conscripta, quam Eusebius in tertio Historiae Ecclesiasticae volumine coarguit. Obiit tertio Trajani anno, et nominis ejus memoriam usque hodie Romae exstructa Ecclesia custodit. ### English translation (Claude) Clement, of whom the apostle Paul says, writing to the Philippians, "With Clement and my other fellow workers, whose names are written in the book of life", was the fourth bishop of Rome after Peter, since Linus was the second and Anacletus the third, although most of the Latins think that Clement was second after the apostle Peter. He wrote, in the person of the Roman church, a very useful letter to the church of the Corinthians, which is also read publicly in some places; it seems to me to agree with the character of the letter to the Hebrews which is ascribed to Paul. Indeed he makes use of many things from that same letter, not only its thoughts but even its very order of words. The likeness between the two is altogether great. A second letter is also ascribed to him, which is rejected by the ancients; and the Disputation of Peter and Apion, written at great length, which Eusebius refutes in the third volume of the Church History. He died in the third year of Trajan, and a church built at Rome guards the memory of his name to this day. ### Scripture references - Phil 4:3: quotation, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - 1 Clem. (1 Clement): allusion, high confidence - 2 Clem. (2 Clement): allusion, high confidence - Ps.-Clem. Hom. (Homilies): allusion, medium confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 3.38 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Phil 4:3. Eusebius, Church History 3.38. The 'Disputation of Peter and Apion' corresponds to part of the Pseudo-Clementine Homilies. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 15 (PL 23:651b–652a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-15). ## On Illustrious Men 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-16 - Source: PL 23:652a–653b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ignatius of Antioch, condemned to the beasts under Trajan, wrote seven letters on his way to Rome; Jerome quotes Smyrnaeans and Romans. ### Latin text Ignatius Antiochenae Ecclesiae tertius post Petrum apostolum episcopus, persecutionem commovente Trajano, damnatus ad bestias, Romam vinctus mittitur. Cumque navigans Smyrnam venisset, ubi Polycarpus, auditor Joannis, episcopus erat, scripsit unam Epistolam ad Ephesios, alteram ad Magnesianos, tertiam ad Trallenses, quartam ad Romanos, et inde egrediens scripsit ad Philadelpheos et ad Smyrnaeos; et proprie ad Polycarpum, commendans illi Antiochensem Ecclesiam, in qua et de Evangelio quod nuper a me translatum est, super persona Christi ponit testimonium dicens: « Ego vero et post resurrectionem in carne eum vidi, et credo quia sit. Et quando venit ad Petrum, et ad eos qui cum Petro erant, dixit eis: Ecce palpate me, et videte, quia non sum doemonium incorporale. Et statim tetigerunt eum et crediderunt. » Dignum autem videtur, quia tanti viri fecimus mentionem, et de epistola ejus, quam ad Romanos scribit, pauca ponere. « De Syria usque ad Romam pugno ad bestias, in mari et in terra, nocte dieque ligatus cum decem leopardis, hoc est militibus, qui me custodiunt: quibus et cum benefeceris, pejores fiunt. Iniquitas autem eorum mea doctrina est, sed non idcirco justificatus sum. Utinam fruar bestiis, quae mihi sunt praeparatae, quas et oro mihi veloces esse ad interitum, et alliciam eas ad comedendum me, ne sicut aliorum martyrum, non audeant corpus meum attingere. Quod si venire noluerint, ego vim faciam, ego me ingeram, ut devorer. Ignoscite mihi, filioli: quid mihi prosit, ego scio. Nunc incipio Christi esse discipulus, nihil de his quae videntur desiderans, ut Jesum Christum inveniam. Ignis, crux, bestiae, confractio ossium, membrorum divisio, et totius corporis contritio, et tota tormenta diaboli, in me veniant, tantum ut Christo fruar. » Cumque jam damnatus esset ad bestias, ardore patiendi, cum rugientes audiret leones, ait: « Frumentum Christi sum, dentibus bestiarum molar, ut panis mundus inveniar. » Passus est anno undecimo Trajani. Reliquiae corporis ejus Antiochiae jacent extra portam Daphniticam in coemeterio. ### English translation (Claude) Ignatius, the third bishop of the church of Antioch after the apostle Peter, was condemned to the beasts when Trajan stirred up persecution, and sent bound to Rome. When, sailing, he came to Smyrna, where Polycarp, the hearer of John, was bishop, he wrote one letter to the Ephesians, another to the Magnesians, a third to the Trallians, a fourth to the Romans; and departing from there he wrote to the Philadelphians and the Smyrnaeans, and especially to Polycarp, commending to him the church of Antioch; in which he also sets down a testimony about the person of Christ from the Gospel which I recently translated, saying: "But I saw him in the flesh even after the resurrection, and I believe that he is. And when he came to Peter and to those who were with Peter, he said to them: Look, handle me, and see that I am not a bodiless demon. And at once they touched him and believed." Since we have mentioned so great a man, it seems right to set down a few things from his letter which he writes to the Romans too: "From Syria to Rome I am fighting with beasts, on sea and on land, by night and day, bound to ten leopards, that is, soldiers who guard me, who become worse when you do them good. But their wickedness is my teaching, though I am not justified by that. May I enjoy the beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray that they may be swift to destroy me, and I will entice them to devour me, lest, as with some other martyrs, they dare not touch my body. And if they will not come, I will force them; I will thrust myself on them to be devoured. Forgive me, little children; I know what is good for me. Now I am beginning to be a disciple of Christ, desiring nothing of the things that are seen, that I may find Jesus Christ. Fire, cross, beasts, breaking of bones, tearing apart of limbs, crushing of the whole body, and all the torments of the devil, let them come upon me, only that I may enjoy Christ." And when he had already been condemned to the beasts, in his eagerness to suffer, hearing the lions roaring, he said: "I am the grain of Christ; I am ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be found pure bread." He suffered in the eleventh year of Trajan. The relics of his body lie at Antioch outside the Daphne gate in the cemetery. ### Scripture references - Luke 24:39: allusion, high confidence - 1 Cor 4:4: echo, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Ign. Smyrn. 3.1-2 (To the Smyrnaeans): quotation, high confidence - Ign. Rom. 5.1-3 (To the Romans): quotation, high confidence - Ign. Rom. 4.1 (To the Romans): quotation, high confidence - Ign. Eph. (To the Ephesians): allusion, high confidence - Ign. Magn. (To the Magnesians): allusion, high confidence - Ign. Trall. (To the Trallians): allusion, high confidence - Ign. Phld. (To the Philadelphians): allusion, high confidence - Ign. Pol. (To Polycarp): allusion, high confidence - Gos. Heb. (Gospel of the Hebrews): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The quoted passage is Ign. Smyrn. 3.1–2 (not To Polycarp, as Jerome says), which Jerome ascribes to the Gospel of the Hebrews; and Ign. Rom. 5.1–3 and 4.1. Luke 24:39. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 16 (PL 23:652a–653b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-16). ## On Illustrious Men 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-17 - Source: PL 23:653b–653d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Polycarp of Smyrna, disciple of John, visited Rome over the Easter question, rebuked Marcion, was martyred by fire, and wrote to the Philippians. ### Latin text Polycarpus, Joannis apostoli discipulus, et ab eo Smyrnae episcopus ordinatus, totius Asiae princeps fuit, quippe qui nonnullos apostolorum, et eorum qui viderant Dominum, magistros habuerit et viderit. Hic propter quasdam super die Paschae quaestiones sub imperatore Antonino Pio, Ecclesiam in Urbe regente Aniceto, Romam venit, ubi plurimos credentium, Marcionis et Valentini persuasione deceptos, reduxit ad fidem. Cumque ei fortuito obviam fuisset Marcion, et diceret: « Cognosce nos; » respondit: « Cognosco primogenitum diaboli. » Postea vero regnante M. Antonino et L. Aurelio Commodo, quarta post Neronem persecutione, Smyrnae, sedente proconsule, et universo populo in amphitheatro adversus eum personante, igni traditus est. Scripsit ad Philippenses valde utilem Epistolam, quae usque hodie in Asiae conventu legitur. ### English translation (Claude) Polycarp, disciple of the apostle John and ordained by him bishop of Smyrna, was the leading man of all Asia, since he had as teachers, and had seen, some of the apostles and of those who had seen the Lord. Because of certain questions about the day of Easter he came to Rome under the emperor Antoninus Pius, while Anicetus governed the church in the city, and there he brought back to the faith very many believers who had been deceived by the persuasion of Marcion and Valentinus. And when Marcion happened to meet him and said, "Recognize us", he answered: "I recognize the firstborn of the devil." Later, in the reign of Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, in the fourth persecution after Nero, he was given to the fire at Smyrna, the proconsul presiding and the whole people in the amphitheatre shouting against him. He wrote a very useful letter to the Philippians, which is read to this day in the assembly of Asia. ### Extrabiblical texts - Pol. Phil. (To the Philippians): allusion, high confidence - Mart. Pol. (Martyrdom of Polycarp): allusion, medium confidence - Irenaeus, Haer. 3.3.4 (Against Heresies): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The meeting with Marcion is told by Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.3.4; the martyrdom by the Martyrdom of Polycarp. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 17 (PL 23:653b–653d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-17). ## On Illustrious Men 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-18 - Source: PL 23:654a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Papias of Hierapolis wrote five books on the Lord's sayings, distinguishes John the apostle from John the elder, and taught a thousand-year reign. ### Latin text Papias Joannis auditor, Hierapolitanus in Asia episcopus, quinque tantum scripsit volumina, quae praenotavit, Explanatio sermonum Domini. In quibus cum se in praefatione asserat, non varias opiniones sequi, sed apostolos habere auctores, ait: « Considerabam, quid Andreas, quid Petrus dixissent, quid Philippus, quid Thomas, quid Jacobus, quid Joannes; quid Matthaeus, vel alius quilibet discipulorum Domini: quid etiam Aristion, et senior Joannes, discipuli Domini loquebantur. Non enim tantum mihi libri ad legendum prosunt, quantum viva vox, usque hodie in suis auctoribus personans. » Ex quo apparet in ipso Catalogo nominum, alium esse Joannem, qui inter apostolos ponitur, et alium seniorem Joannem, quem post Aristionem enumerat. Hoc autem diximus, propter superiorem opinionem, quam a plerisque retulimus traditam, duas posteriores Epistolas Joannis non apostoli esse, sed presbyteri. Hic dicitur mille annorum Judaicam edidisse δευτέρωσιν, quem secuti sunt Irenaeus, et Apollinarius, et caeteri qui post resurrectionem aiunt in carne cum sanctis Dominum regnaturum. Tertullianus quoque in libro de Spe fidelium, et Victorinus Petabionensis, et Lactantius hac opinione ducuntur. ### English translation (Claude) Papias, a hearer of John, bishop of Hierapolis in Asia, wrote only five volumes, which he entitled Explanation of the Sayings of the Lord. In them, when he declares in the preface that he does not follow various opinions but has the apostles as his authorities, he says: "I used to consider what Andrew, what Peter had said, what Philip, what Thomas, what James, what John, what Matthew, or any other of the Lord's disciples; what also Aristion and the elder John, disciples of the Lord, were saying. For books to read do not profit me so much as the living voice, still sounding to this day in its authors." From this it appears from the very list of names that the John who is placed among the apostles is one, and the elder John, whom he lists after Aristion, another. We have said this because of the opinion mentioned above, handed down, as we reported, by most, that the two later letters of John are not the apostle's but the presbyter's. He is said to have published the Jewish tradition of a thousand years, whom Irenaeus, Apollinaris, and the others followed, who say that after the resurrection the Lord will reign in the flesh with the saints. Tertullian too, in the book On the Hope of the Faithful, and Victorinus of Pettau and Lactantius are led by this opinion. ### Extrabiblical texts - Papias (Papias (fragments)): quotation, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 3.39.4 (Church History): allusion, high confidence - Irenaeus, Haer. 5.33 (Against Heresies): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Papias's fragment is preserved in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.4. 'Jewish tradition' renders deuterosis. Jerome's view of millenarianism is translated as written. Tertullian's On the Hope of the Faithful is lost. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 18 (PL 23:654a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-18). ## On Illustrious Men 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-19 - Source: PL 23:654a–655a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Quadratus, bishop of Athens, presented an apology to Hadrian, citing people healed or raised by Christ who lived into his day. ### Latin text Quadratus apostolorum discipulus, Publico Athenarum episcopo ob Christi fidem martyrio coronato, in locum ejus substituitur, et Ecclesiam grandi terrore dispersam fide et industria sua congregat. Cumque Hadrianus Athenis exegisset hiemem, invisens Eleusina, et omnibus pene Graeciae sacris initiatus dedisset occasionem his, qui Christianos oderant, absque praecepto imperatoris vexare credentes; porrexit ei librum pro religione nostra compositum, valde utilem, plenumque rationis et fidei, et apostolica doctrina dignum, in quo et antiquitatem suae aetatis ostendens, ait, plurimos a se visos qui sub Domino variis in Judaea oppressi calamitatibus, sanati fuerant, et qui a mortuis resurrexerant. ### English translation (Claude) Quadratus, a disciple of the apostles, after Publius, bishop of Athens, had been crowned with martyrdom for the faith of Christ, was put in his place, and by his faith and industry gathered together the church, scattered by great terror. And when Hadrian, having spent the winter at Athens and visiting Eleusis, had been initiated into almost all the sacred rites of Greece, and so given occasion to those who hated Christians to harass believers without the emperor's command, he presented to him a book composed for our religion, very useful, full of reason and faith, and worthy of apostolic teaching. In it, showing the antiquity of his own age, he says that he had seen very many who, oppressed by various calamities in Judaea in the Lord's time, had been healed, and who had risen from the dead. ### Extrabiblical texts - Quadratus, Quadr. (Quadratus, Apology (fragment)): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 4.3 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 4.3. Jerome may have confused the apologist with Quadratus of Athens. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 19 (PL 23:654a–655a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-19). ## On Illustrious Men 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-20 - Source: PL 23:655a–655b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Aristides the Athenian philosopher presented an apology to Hadrian. ### Latin text Aristides Atheniensis philosophus eloquentissimus et sub pristino habitu discipulus Christi, volumen nostri dogmatis rationem continens, eodem tempore quo et Quadratus, Hadriano principi dedit, id est, Apologeticum pro Christianis, quod usque hodie perseverans, apud philologos ingenii ejus indicium est. ### English translation (Claude) Aristides, an Athenian philosopher, most eloquent, and a disciple of Christ while keeping his former dress, presented to the emperor Hadrian at the same time as Quadratus a volume containing the account of our doctrine, that is, an Apology for the Christians, which survives to this day and is, among scholars, evidence of his talent. ### Extrabiblical texts - Aristides, Aristides, Apol. (Aristides, Apology): echo, high confidence ### Translation notes - The Apology of Aristides has no id on this site. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 20 (PL 23:655a–655b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-20). ## On Illustrious Men 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-21 - Source: PL 23:655b–656a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agrippa Castor refuted the Gnostic Basilides, whose god Abraxas has the number of the days of the year. ### Latin text Agrippa, cognomento Castor, vir valde doctus, adversum viginti quatuor Basilidis haeretici volumina, quae in Evangelium confecerat, fortissime disseruit, prodens ejus universa mysteria, et prophetas enumerans, Barcaban et Barcob, et ad terrorem audientium alia quaedam barbara nomina: et Deum maximum ejus Abraxas, qui quasi annum continens, si juxta Graecorum numerum supputetur. Moratus est autem Basilides, a quo Gnostici, in Alexandria temporibus Hadriani, qua tempestate et Cochebas dux Judaicae factionis Christianos variis suppliciis enecavit. ### English translation (Claude) Agrippa, surnamed Castor, a very learned man, disputed most forcefully against the twenty-four volumes which the heretic Basilides had composed on the Gospel, exposing all his mysteries, and listing his prophets, Barcabbas and Barcoph, and, to the terror of his hearers, certain other barbarous names, and his supreme God Abraxas, who as it were contains the year, if reckoned by the Greek numerals. Basilides, from whom the Gnostics come, lived in Alexandria in the times of Hadrian, at which time also Cochebas, leader of the Jewish faction, killed Christians with various tortures. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 4.7 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 4.7. The letters of Abraxas in Greek numerals total 365. Cochebas is Bar Kokhba. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 21 (PL 23:655b–656a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-21). ## On Illustrious Men 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-22 - Source: PL 23:656a–656b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hegesippus wrote five books of church history in simple style, visited Rome under Anicetus, and mentioned the cult of Hadrian's Antinous. ### Latin text Hegesippus vicinus apostolicorum temporum, et omnes a passione Domini usque ad suam aetatem Ecclesiasticorum actuum texens historias, multaque ad utilitatem legentium pertinentia hinc inde congregans, quinque libros composuit, sermone simplici, ut quorum vitam sectabatur, dicendi quoque exprimeret characterem. Asserit se venisse sub Aniceto Romam, qui decimus post Petrum episcopus fuit, et perseverasse usque ad Eleutherum ejusdem urbis episcopum qui Aniceti quondam diaconus fuerat. Praeterea adversum idola disputans, ex quo primum errore crevissent, subtexit historiam, ex qua ostendit, qua floruerit aetate. Ait enim: « Tumulos mortuis templaque fecerunt, sicut usque hodie videmus: e quibus est et Antinous, servus Hadriani Caesaris, cui et gymnicus agon exercetur apud Antinoum civitatem, quam ex ejus nomine condidit, et statuit prophetas in templo. » Antinoum autem in deliciis habuisse Caesar Hadrianus scribitur. ### English translation (Claude) Hegesippus, who lived near the apostolic times, weaving together the histories of all the church's acts from the Lord's passion to his own time, and gathering from here and there many things useful to readers, composed five books in a simple style, so as to express the manner of speaking too of those whose life he followed. He states that he came to Rome under Anicetus, who was the tenth bishop after Peter, and remained until Eleutherus, bishop of the same city, who had once been Anicetus's deacon. Moreover, arguing against idols, from what error they first arose, he adds a history from which he shows in what age he flourished. For he says: "They made tombs and temples for the dead, as we see to this day; among them is Antinous too, a slave of Hadrian Caesar, for whom athletic games are held at the city of Antinous, which he founded from his name, and he set up prophets in the temple." Hadrian Caesar is recorded to have had Antinous as his favourite. ### Extrabiblical texts - Hegesippus (Hegesippus, Memoirs (fragments)): quotation, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 4.8 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 4.8 and 4.22. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 22 (PL 23:656a–656b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/0/#p-22). ## On Illustrious Men 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-23 - Source: PL 23:656c–657b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Justin Martyr's apologies, Dialogue with Trypho and other works are listed; he was denounced by Crescens the Cynic and martyred. ### Latin text Justinus philosophus, habitu quoque philosophorum incedens, de Neapoli urbe Palaestinae patre Prisco Bacchio, pro religione Christi plurimum laboravit: in tantum, ut Antonino quoque Pio, et filiis ejus, et senatui librum contra gentes scriptum daret, ignominiamque crucis non erubesceret; et alium librum successoribus ejusdem Antonini, M. Antonino Vero et L. Aurelio Commodo. Exstat ejus aliud volumen contra gentes, ubi de daemonum quoque natura disputat: et quartum adversus gentes, cui titulum praenotavit "Ελεγχος: sed et alius de Monarchia Dei, et alius liber, quem praenotavit Psalten, et alius de Anima. Dialogus contra Judaeos, quem habuit adversus Tryphonem principem Judaeorum: sed et contra Marcionem insignia volumina, quorum Irenaeus quoque quarto adversus Haereses libro meminit: et alius liber contra omnes haereses, cujus facit mentionem in Apologetico, quem dedit Antonino Pio. Hic cum in urbe Roma haberet διατριβάς, et Crescentem Cynicum, qui multa adversum Christianos blasphemabat, redargueret gulosum, et mortis timidum, luxuriaeque et libidinum sectatorem, ad extremum studio ejus et insidiis accusatus, quod Christianus esset, pro Christo sanguinem fudit. ### English translation (Claude) Justin, a philosopher, who even went about in the dress of philosophers, from Neapolis, a city of Palestine, his father being Priscus Bacchius, laboured greatly for the religion of Christ; so much so that he gave Antoninus Pius too, his sons, and the senate a book written against the pagans, and was not ashamed of the shame of the cross; and another book to the successors of the same Antoninus, Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus. There survives another volume of his against the pagans, in which he also discusses the nature of demons; and a fourth against the pagans, which he entitled Refutation; and another On the Monarchy of God, and another book which he entitled The Psalmist, and another On the Soul; the Dialogue against the Jews, which he held against Trypho, a leader of the Jews; and also notable volumes against Marcion, which Irenaeus too mentions in the fourth book Against Heresies; and another book against all heresies, which he mentions in the Apology he gave to Antoninus Pius. When he was holding a school in the city of Rome and was refuting Crescens the Cynic, who uttered many blasphemies against the Christians, as a glutton, afraid of death, and a follower of luxury and lusts, at last, accused by his efforts and plots of being a Christian, he shed his blood for Christ. ### Extrabiblical texts - Justin, 1 Apol. 26.8 (First Apology): allusion, high confidence - Justin, 2 Apol. (Second Apology): allusion, high confidence - Justin, Dial. (Dialogue with Trypho): allusion, high confidence - Ps.-Justin, Or. Graec. (Discourse to the Greeks): allusion, medium confidence - Ps.-Justin, Mon. (On the Sole Government of God): allusion, medium confidence - Irenaeus, Haer. 4.6.2 (Against Heresies): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Migne's inline glosses '(Apologia longior)', '(Altera brevior)', '(Oratio ad Graecos)' are removed. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.6.2; Justin, 1 Apol. 26.8. The works On the Monarchy and the Oration to the Greeks have ids here as works ascribed to Justin. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 23 (PL 23:656c–657b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-23). ## On Illustrious Men 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-24 - Source: PL 23:657b–658a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Melito of Sardis presented an apology to Marcus Aurelius and wrote many works, including On the Pascha. ### Latin text Melito Asianus, Sardensis episcopus, librum imperatori M. Antonino Vero, qui Frontonis oratoris discipulus fuit, pro Christiano dogmate dedit. Scripsit quoque et alia, de quibus ista sunt, quae subjecimus: de Pascha libros duos, de Vita prophetarum librum unum, de Ecclesia librum unum, de Die Dominica librum unum, de Sensibus librum unum, de Fide librum unum, de Plasmate librum unum, de Anima et Corpore librum unum, de Baptismate librum unum, de Veritate librum unum, de Generatione Christi librum unum, de Prophetia sua librum unum, de Philoxenia librum unum, et alium librum qui Clavis inscribitur; de Diabolo librum unum, de Apocalypsi Joannis librum unum, περί Ενσωμάτου Θεού librum unum, et Εκλογών libros sex. Hujus elegans et declamatorium ingenium Tertullianus in septem libris, quos scripset adversus Ecclesiam pro Montano, cavillatur, dicens eum a plerisque nostrorum prophetam putari. ### English translation (Claude) Melito of Asia, bishop of Sardis, gave a book for Christian doctrine to the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus, who was a pupil of the orator Fronto. He also wrote other things, of which these are the ones we add: On the Pascha, two books; On the Life of the Prophets, one book; On the Church, one book; On the Lord's Day, one book; On the Senses, one book; On Faith, one book; On Creation, one book; On Soul and Body, one book; On Baptism, one book; On Truth, one book; On the Generation of Christ, one book; On His Prophecy, one book; On Hospitality, one book; and another book which is entitled The Key; On the Devil, one book; On the Apocalypse of John, one book; On God Embodied, one book; and Extracts, six books. Tertullian, in the seven books which he wrote against the church on behalf of Montanus, mocks his elegant and declamatory talent, saying that he is thought a prophet by most of our people. ### Extrabiblical texts - Melito of Sardis, Melito (Melito of Sardis (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 4.26 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The list follows Eusebius, Church History 4.26. Tertullian's seven books On Ecstasy are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 24 (PL 23:657b–658a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-24). ## On Illustrious Men 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-25 - Source: PL 23:658a–658b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theophilus of Antioch wrote against Marcion and Hermogenes and three books To Autolycus. ### Latin text Theophilus, sextus Antiochensis Ecclesiae episcopus, sub imperatore M. Antonino Vero librum contra Marcionem composuit, qui usque hodie exstat. Feruntur ejus et ad Autolycum tria volumina, et contra haeresim Hermogenis liber unus: et alii breves elegantesque tractatus ad aedificationem Ecclesiae pertinentes. Legi sub nomine ejus in Evangelium et in Proverbia Salomonis Commentarios, qui mihi cum superiorum voluminum elegantia et phrasi non videntur congruere. ### English translation (Claude) Theophilus, sixth bishop of the church of Antioch, composed under the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus a book against Marcion, which survives to this day. Three volumes To Autolycus are also ascribed to him, and one book against the heresy of Hermogenes, and other short and elegant treatises belonging to the building up of the church. I have read under his name commentaries on the Gospel and on the Proverbs of Solomon, which do not seem to me to agree with the elegance and style of the earlier volumes. ### Extrabiblical texts - Theophilus, Autol. (To Autolycus): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 25 (PL 23:658a–658b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-25). ## On Illustrious Men 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-26 - Source: PL 23:658b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Apollinaris of Hierapolis wrote an apology and works against the pagans and against the Montanists. ### Latin text Apollinaris, Asiae Hierapolitanus episcopus, sub imperatore M. Antonino Vero floruit, cui et insigne volumen pro fide Christianorum dedit. Exstant ejus et alii quinque adversum gentes libri, et de veritate duo, adversum Cataphrygas tunc primum exortos cum Priscilla et Maximilla insanis vatibus, incipiente Montano. ### English translation (Claude) Apollinaris, bishop of Hierapolis in Asia, flourished under the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus, to whom he also gave a notable volume for the faith of the Christians. There survive also five other books of his against the pagans, and two on truth, and against the Cataphrygians, who had then first arisen with Priscilla and Maximilla, the mad prophetesses, Montanus beginning it. ### Extrabiblical texts - Mont. Or. (Montanist oracles): allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - The Cataphrygians are the Montanists. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 26 (PL 23:658b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-26). ## On Illustrious Men 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-28 - Source: PL 23:659a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pinytus of Cnossus wrote to Dionysius of Corinth urging solid spiritual food rather than milk. ### Latin text Pinytus Cretensis, Cnossiae urbis episcopus, scripsit ad Dionysium Corinthiorum episcopum valde elegantem epistolam: in qua docet, non semper lacte populos nutriendos, ne quasi parvuli ab ultimo occupentur die; sed et solido vesci debere cibo, ut in spiritalem proficiant senectutem. Et hic sub M. Antonino Vero et L. Aurelio Commodo floruit. ### English translation (Claude) Pinytus of Crete, bishop of the city of Cnossus, wrote a very elegant letter to Dionysius, bishop of the Corinthians, in which he teaches that peoples must not always be fed on milk, lest they be overtaken by the last day like little children, but must also eat solid food, so as to advance to a spiritual old age. He too flourished under Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus. ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 3:2: allusion, medium confidence - Heb 5:12: allusion, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Dionysius of Corinth (Dionysius of Corinth (letters)): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 4.23; 1 Cor 3:2 and Heb 5:12–14. Chapter 27 (Dionysius of Corinth) is not in the digital text. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 28 (PL 23:659a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-28). ## On Illustrious Men 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-29 - Source: PL 23:659b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tatian, Justin's pupil, later founded the Encratite heresy; his Oration to the Greeks survives. ### Latin text Tatianus, qui primum oratoriam docens, non parvam sibi ex arte rhetorica gloriam comparaverat, Justini Martyris sectator fuit, florens in Ecclesia, quandiu ab ejus latere non discessit. Postea vero, inflatus eloquentiae tumore, novam condidit haeresim quae Ἐγκρατιτῶν dicitur, quam postea Severus auxit, a quo ejusdem partis haeretici Severiani usque hodie appellantur. Porro Tatianus infinita scripsit volumina, e quibus unus contra Gentes florentissimus exstat liber, qui inter omnia opera ejus fertur insignis. Et hic sub imperatore M. Antonino Vero et L. Aurelio Commodo floruit. ### English translation (Claude) Tatian, who at first taught oratory and gained no small glory from the art of rhetoric, was a follower of Justin Martyr, flourishing in the church as long as he did not leave his side. But afterwards, puffed up by the pride of eloquence, he founded a new heresy, which is called that of the Encratites, which Severus later increased, from whom heretics of the same party are called Severians to this day. Tatian wrote countless volumes, of which one most flourishing book against the pagans survives, which is considered outstanding among all his works. He too flourished under the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Tatian, Or. Graec. (Oration to the Greeks): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Garbled Greek at the end of the chapter in the digital text (apparently from the Greek version of this work) is removed. Jerome's judgment on Tatian is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 29 (PL 23:659b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-29). ## On Illustrious Men 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-30 - Source: PL 23:659c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Philip of Gortyna wrote against Marcion. ### Latin text Philippus, episcopus Cretensis, hoc est, urbis Gortynae, cujus Dionysius in epistola sua meminit, quam scripsit ad ejusdem civitatis Ecclesiam, praeclarum adversum Marcionem edidit librum, temporibusque M. Antonini Veri et L Aurelii Commodi claruit. ### English translation (Claude) Philip, bishop in Crete, that is, of the city of Gortyna, whom Dionysius mentions in his letter which he wrote to the church of the same city, published an excellent book against Marcion, and was famous in the times of Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Dionysius of Corinth (Dionysius of Corinth (letters)): allusion, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 30 (PL 23:659c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-30). ## On Illustrious Men 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-31 - Source: PL 23:659c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Musanus wrote against the Encratites. ### Latin text Musanus non ignobilis inter eos, qui de ecclesiastico dogmate scripserunt, sub imperatore M. Antonino Vero confecit librum ad quosdam fratres, qui de Ecclesia ad Encratitarum haeresim declinaverant. ### English translation (Claude) Musanus, not undistinguished among those who have written about the church's doctrine, composed under the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus a book to certain brothers who had turned aside from the church to the heresy of the Encratites. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 31 (PL 23:659c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-31). ## On Illustrious Men 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-32 - Source: PL 23:659c–660a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Modestus wrote against Marcion. ### Latin text Modestus et ipse sub imperatore M. Antonino et L. Aurelio Commodo, adversum Marcionem scripsit librum, qui usque hodie perseverat. Feruntur sub nomine ejus et alia syntagmata, sed ab eruditis quasi ψευδόγραφα repudiantur. ### English translation (Claude) Modestus too, under the emperor Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, wrote a book against Marcion, which survives to this day. Other treatises too are ascribed to him under his name, but they are rejected by scholars as falsely ascribed. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 32 (PL 23:659c–660a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-32). ## On Illustrious Men 33 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-33 - Source: PL 23:660a–660b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bardesanes of Mesopotamia, at first a Valentinian, wrote many works including On Fate. ### Latin text Bardesanes in Mesopotamia clarus habitus est, qui primum Valentini sectator, deinde confutator, novam haeresim condidit. Ardens ejus a Syris praedicatur ingenium, et in disputatione vehemens. Scripsit infinita adversum omnes pene haereticos, qui aetate ejus pullulaverant. In quibus clarissimus ille et fortissimus liber, quem M. Antonino de Fato tradidit: et multa alia super persecutione volumina, quae sectatores ejus de Syra lingua verterunt in Graecam. Si autem tanta vis est et fulgor in interpretatione, quantam putamus in sermone proprio? ### English translation (Claude) Bardesanes was famous in Mesopotamia; first a follower of Valentinus, then his refuter, he founded a new heresy. His ardent genius is praised by the Syrians, and he was vehement in debate. He wrote countless works against almost all the heretics who had sprung up in his time; among them is that most famous and very powerful book which he gave to Marcus Antoninus, On Fate, and many other volumes on persecution, which his followers translated from Syriac into Greek. But if there is so much force and brilliance in translation, how much do we think there was in his own language? ### Extrabiblical texts - Bardesanes (Bardesanes, Book of the Laws of Countries): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 33 (PL 23:660a–660b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-33). ## On Illustrious Men 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-34 - Source: PL 23:660b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Victor of Rome wrote on the Easter question. ### Latin text Victor, tertius decimus Romanae urbis episcopus, super quaestione Paschae et alia quaedam scribens opuscula, rexit Ecclesiam sub Severo principe annis decem. ### English translation (Claude) Victor, the thirteenth bishop of the city of Rome, writing on the Easter question and some other short works, governed the church under the emperor Severus for ten years. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 34 (PL 23:660b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-34). ## On Illustrious Men 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-35 - Source: PL 23:660b–661b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Irenaeus of Lyons, disciple of Polycarp: his works, his adjuration to copyists, and his letter urging Victor not to break unity over Easter. ### Latin text Irenaeus, Pothini episcopi, qui Lugdunensem in Gallia regebat Ecclesiam, presbyter, a martyribus ejusdem loci, ob quasdam Ecclesiae quaestiones legatus Romam missus, honorificas super nomine suo ad Eleutherum episcopum perfert litteras. Postea, jam Pothino prope nonagenario ob Christum martyrio coronato, in locum ejus substituitur. Constat autem Polycarpi, cujus supra fecimus mentionem, sacerdotis et martyris, hunc fuisse discipulum. Scripsit quinque adversus haereses libros, et contra gentes volumen breve, et de disciplina aliud, et ad Martianum fratrem de apostolica praedicatione, et librum variorum tractatuum, et ad Blastum de Schismate, et ad Florinum de Monarchia, sive quod Deus non sit conditor malorum, et de Ogdoade egregium commentarium, in cujus fine significans se apostolicorum temporum vicinum fuisse, sic subscripsit: « Adjuro te, qui transcribis librum istum, per Dominum Jesum Christum, et per gloriosum ejus adventum, quo judicaturus est vivos et mortuos, ut conferas, postquam transcripseris, et emendes illum ad exemplar, unde scripsisti, diligentissime: hanc quoque obtestationem similiter transferas, ut invenisti in exemplari. » Feruntur ejus et aliae ad Victorem episcopum Romanum de quaestione Paschae epistolae: in quibus commonet eum, non facile debere unitatem collegii scindere. Siquidem Victor multos Asiae et Orientis episcopos, qui decima quarta luna cum Judaeis Pascha celebrabant, damnandos crediderat. In qua sententia hi, qui discrepabant ab illis, Victori non dederant manus. Floruit maxime sub Commodo principe, qui M. Antonino Vero in imperium successerat. ### English translation (Claude) Irenaeus, a presbyter of Bishop Pothinus, who governed the church of Lyons in Gaul, was sent to Rome as envoy by the martyrs of that place because of certain questions of the church, and carried to Bishop Eleutherus letters honourable to his name. Afterwards, when Pothinus, nearly ninety years old, had been crowned with martyrdom for Christ, he was put in his place. It is established that he was a disciple of Polycarp, the priest and martyr whom we mentioned above. He wrote five books against heresies, and a short volume against the pagans, and another on discipline, and one to his brother Marcianus on the apostolic preaching, and a book of various treatises, and to Blastus on schism, and to Florinus on the monarchy, or that God is not the maker of evils, and an excellent commentary on the Ogdoad, at the end of which, indicating that he was close to apostolic times, he wrote this: "I adjure you, who copy this book, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by his glorious coming, in which he will judge the living and the dead, that, after you have copied it, you compare it and correct it most carefully against the copy from which you wrote; and that you likewise copy this adjuration too, as you found it in the copy." Other letters of his are also extant to Victor, bishop of Rome, on the Easter question, in which he warns him that he ought not lightly to break the unity of the college; for Victor had thought that many bishops of Asia and the East should be condemned, who celebrated Easter on the fourteenth day of the moon with the Jews. In this opinion even those who differed from them had not sided with Victor. He flourished chiefly under the emperor Commodus, who had succeeded Marcus Antoninus Verus in the empire. ### Extrabiblical texts - Irenaeus, Haer. (Against Heresies): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.20.2 (Church History): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.4, 5.20, 5.24. The work 'to Marcianus on the apostolic preaching' is the Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 35 (PL 23:660b–661b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-35). ## On Illustrious Men 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-36 - Source: PL 23:661b–662a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pantaenus of Alexandria went to India, where he found Matthew's Gospel in Hebrew left by Bartholomew. ### Latin text Pantaenus, Stoicae sectae philosophus, juxta quamdam veterem in Alexandria consuetudinem, ubi a Marco evangelista semper ecclesiastici fuere doctores, tantae prudentiae et eruditionis tam in Scripturis divinis, quam in saeculari litteratura fuit, ut in Indiam quoque, rogatus ab illius gentis legatis, a Demetrio Alexandriae episcopo mitteretur. Ubi reperit, Bartholomaeum de duodecim apostolis adventum Domini nostri Jesu Christi juxta Matthaei Evangelium praedicasse, quod Hebraicis litteris scriptum, revertens Alexandriam secum detulit. Hujus multi quidem in sanctam Scripturam exstant commentarii: sed magis viva voce Ecclesiis profuit. Docuitque sub Severo principe et Antonino, cognomento Caracalla. ### English translation (Claude) Pantaenus, a philosopher of the Stoic school, according to a certain old custom at Alexandria, where from Mark the evangelist there were always church teachers, was of such wisdom and learning both in the divine Scriptures and in secular literature that he was even sent to India by Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, at the request of envoys of that people. There he found that Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles, had preached the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew; and, returning to Alexandria, he brought it with him, written in Hebrew letters. Many commentaries of his on holy Scripture survive, but he benefited the churches more by his living voice. He taught under the emperor Severus and Antoninus, surnamed Caracalla. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.10 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.10. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 36 (PL 23:661b–662a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-36). ## On Illustrious Men 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-37 - Source: PL 23:662a–662b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Rhodon, Tatian's pupil, wrote against Marcion, on the Hexaemeron, and against the Montanists. ### Latin text Rhodon, genere Asianus, a Tatiano, de quo supra diximus, Romae in Scripturis eruditus, edidit plurima: praecipuumque adversus Marcionem opus, in quo refert, quomodo ipsi quoque inter se Marcionitae discrepent; et Apellem senem alium haereticum a se quondam fuisse conventum, et risui habitum, eo quod Deum, quem coleret, ignorare se diceret. Meminit in eodem libro, quem scripsit ad Callistionem, Tatiani se Romae fuisse auditorem. Sed et in Hexaemeron elegantes tractatus composuit et adversum Phrygas insigne opus; temporibusque Commodi et Severi floruit. ### English translation (Claude) Rhodon, an Asian by birth, taught in the Scriptures at Rome by Tatian, of whom we spoke above, published a great many works, chiefly a work against Marcion, in which he tells how the Marcionites too disagree among themselves, and that the old man Apelles, another heretic, had once been met by him and made a laughing-stock, because he said he did not know the God he worshipped. He mentions in the same book, which he wrote to Callistio, that he had been a hearer of Tatian at Rome. He also composed elegant treatises on the Hexaemeron, and a notable work against the Phrygians; and he flourished in the times of Commodus and Severus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Rhodon (Rhodon, Against Marcion): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.13 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.13. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 37 (PL 23:662a–662b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-37). ## On Illustrious Men 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-38 - Source: PL 23:662b–663b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Clement of Alexandria, head of the catechetical school after Pantaenus: his works, and Alexander of Jerusalem's praise of him. ### Latin text Clemens, Alexandrinae Ecclesiae presbyter, Pantaeni, de quo supra retulimus, auditor, post ejus mortem Alexandriae ecclesiasticam scholam tenuit, et κατηχήσεων magister fuit. Feruntur ejus insignia volumina, plenaque eruditionis et eloquentiae, tam de Scripturis divinis, quam de saecularis litteraturae instrumento. E quibus illa sunt, Στρωματεῖς, libri octo; Ὑποτυπώσεων libri octo; adversus Gentes, liber unus; Paedagogi libri tres, de Pascha liber unus, de jejunio disceptatio, et alius inscribitur Quisnam dives ille sit, qui salvetur; de obtrectatione liber unus, de Canonibus ecclesiasticis, et adversum eos, qui Judaeorum sequuntur errorem, liber unus, quem proprie Alexandro, Hierosolymorum episcopo, προσεφώνησε. Meminit autem, in Stromatibus suis, voluminis Tatiani adversus gentes, de quo supra diximus, et Casiani cujusdam χρονογραφίας, quod opusculum invenire non potui. Necnon et de Judaeis Aristobulum quemdam et Demetrium et Eupolemum scriptores adversus gentes refert, qui in similitudinem Josephi άρχαιογονίαν Moysi et Judaicae gentis asseverant. Exstat Alexandri Hierosolymorum episcopi, qui cum Narcisso postea rexit Ecclesiam, epistola super ordinatione Asclepiadis confessoris ad Antiochenses, congratulantis eis, in qua ponit in fine: « Haec vobis, domini ac fratres, scripta transmisi per Clementem beatum presbyterum, virum illustrem et probatum, quem vos quoque scitis, et nunc plenius recognoscetis, qui cum huc venisset juxta providentiam et visitationem Dei, confirmavit et auxit Domini Ecclesiam.» Constat, Origenem hujus fuisse discipulum. Floruit autem Severi et Antonini filii ejus temporibus. ### English translation (Claude) Clement, presbyter of the church of Alexandria, a hearer of Pantaenus, of whom we spoke above, after his death held the church school at Alexandria and was master of catechesis. Notable volumes of his are extant, full of learning and eloquence, both on the divine Scriptures and on the resources of secular literature. Among them are these: the Stromata, eight books; the Hypotyposes, eight books; Against the Pagans, one book; the Paedagogus, three books; On the Pascha, one book; a discourse on fasting; and another entitled Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved; On Slander, one book; On the Church's Canons, and one book against those who follow the error of the Jews, which he dedicated specially to Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem. In his Stromata he mentions Tatian's volume against the pagans, of which we spoke above, and the Chronography of a certain Cassianus, a little work which I have not been able to find. He also refers to certain Jewish writers against the pagans, Aristobulus, Demetrius, and Eupolemus, who, like Josephus, maintain the antiquity of Moses and the Jewish nation. There is extant a letter of Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, who afterwards governed the church with Narcissus, to the Antiochenes on the ordination of Asclepiades the confessor, congratulating them, in which he writes at the end: "These things, my lords and brothers, I have sent you in writing by Clement, the blessed presbyter, a famous and approved man, whom you also know and will now come to know more fully; who, when he came here according to the providence and visitation of God, strengthened and increased the Lord's church." It is established that Origen was his disciple. He flourished in the times of Severus and his son Antoninus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Clement of Alexandria, Strom. (Miscellanies): allusion, high confidence - Clement of Alexandria, Clement, Hyp. (Clement of Alexandria, Hypotyposes (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Clement of Alexandria, Protr. (Exhortation to the Greeks): allusion, high confidence - Clement of Alexandria, Paed. (The Instructor): allusion, high confidence - Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. (Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved?): allusion, high confidence - Tatian, Or. Graec. (Oration to the Greeks): allusion, medium confidence - Aristobulus, Aristob. (Aristobulus (fragments)): allusion, medium confidence - Demetrius (Demetrius the Chronographer): allusion, medium confidence - Eupolemus (Eupolemus, On the Kings of Judea): allusion, medium confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.11.6 (Church History): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.6, 6.11, 6.13–14. 'Against the Pagans' is the Protrepticus. Clement mentions Tatian, Cassianus, Aristobulus, Demetrius and Eupolemus in Stromata 1. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 38 (PL 23:662b–663b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-38). ## On Illustrious Men 39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-39 - Source: PL 23:663c–664a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Miltiades wrote against the Montanists, the pagans and the Jews, and an apology. ### Latin text Miltiades, cujus Rhodon in opere suo, quod adversus Montanum, Priscam Maximillamque composuit, recordatur, scripsit contra eosdem volumen praecipuum, et adversus gentes Judaeosque libros alios, et principibus illius temporis Apologeticum dedit. Floruit autem M. Antonini Commodique temporibus. ### English translation (Claude) Miltiades, whom Rhodon mentions in his work composed against Montanus, Prisca and Maximilla, wrote a notable volume against them, and other books against the pagans and the Jews, and gave an Apology to the rulers of that time. He flourished in the times of Marcus Antoninus and Commodus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Anon. Mont. (Anonymous Treatise against the Montanists): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.17. Rhodon is named here by Jerome, though Eusebius ascribes the anti-Montanist work to an anonymous writer. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 39 (PL 23:663c–664a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-39). ## On Illustrious Men 40 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-40 - Source: PL 23:664a–664b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Apollonius wrote a long work against the Montanists, exposing their prophets' greed and vanity; Tertullian answered him. ### Latin text Apollonius, vir disertissimus, scripsit adversus Montanum, Priscam et Maximillam insigne et longum volumen, in quo asserit Montanum et insanas vates ejus periisse suspendio: et multa alia, in quibus de Prisca et Maximilla refert: « Si negant eas accepisse munera, confiteantur non esse prophetas, qui accipiunt: et mille hoc testibus approbabo. Sed et ex aliis fructibus probantur prophetae. Dic mihi, crinem fucat prophetes? stibio oculos linit? Prophetae vestibus et gemmis ornantur? Prophetes tabula ludit et tesseris? Propheta fenus accipit? Respondeant, utrum hoc fieri liceat, an non: meum est approbare, quod fecerint.» Dicit in eodem libro, quadragesimum esse annum usque ad tempus, quo ipse scribebat librum, ex quo haeresis Cataphrygarum habuerit exordium. Tertullianus sex voluminibus adversus Ecclesiam editis quae scripsit περὶ ἐκστάσεως, septimum proprie adversus Apollonium elaboravit, in quo omnia, quae ille arguit, conatur defendere. Floruit autem Apollonius sub Commodo Severoque principibus. ### English translation (Claude) Apollonius, a very eloquent man, wrote against Montanus, Prisca, and Maximilla a notable and long volume, in which he asserts that Montanus and his mad prophetesses perished by hanging; and many other things, among which he reports of Prisca and Maximilla: "If they deny that they have accepted gifts, let them confess that those who accept them are not prophets; and I will prove it by a thousand witnesses. But prophets are proved by other fruits too. Tell me, does a prophet dye his hair? Does she paint her eyes with antimony? Are prophets adorned with garments and jewels? Does a prophet play at the gaming board and dice? Does a prophet take interest? Let them answer whether this may be done or not; it is my part to prove that they have done it." He says in the same book that it was the fortieth year, up to the time when he was writing the book, since the heresy of the Cataphrygians had its beginning. Tertullian, after publishing six volumes against the church, which he wrote On Ecstasy, worked out a seventh specially against Apollonius, in which he tries to defend everything that Apollonius attacked. Apollonius flourished under the emperors Commodus and Severus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Apollonius (Apollonius, Against the Montanists): quotation, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.18 (Church History): allusion, high confidence - Mont. Or. (Montanist oracles): allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.18. Tertullian's On Ecstasy is lost. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 40 (PL 23:664a–664b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-40). ## On Illustrious Men 41 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-41 - Source: PL 23:664b–665a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serapion of Antioch wrote against the Montanists and against the Gospel of Peter. ### Latin text Serapion, undecimo Commodi imperatoris anno Antiochiae episcopus ordinatus, scripsit epistolam ad Caricum et Pontium de haeresi Montani, in qua et haec addit: « Ut autem sciatis falsi hujus dogmatis, id est, novae prophetiae ab omni mundo insaniam reprobari, misi vobis Apollinaris beatissimi, qui fuit in Hierapoli Asiae episcopus, litteras. » Ad Domninum quoque, qui persecutionis tempore ad Judaeos declinaverat, volumen composuit; et alium de Evangelio, quod sub nomine Petri fertur, librum ad Rhosensem Ciliciae Ecclesiam, quae in haeresim ejus lectione diverterat. Leguntur et sparsim ejus breves epistolae, auctoris sui ἀσκήσει et vitae congruentes. ### English translation (Claude) Serapion, ordained bishop at Antioch in the eleventh year of the emperor Commodus, wrote a letter to Caricus and Pontius on the heresy of Montanus, in which he also adds this: "So that you may know that the madness of this false doctrine, that is, of the new prophecy, is rejected by the whole world, I have sent you the letter of the most blessed Apollinaris, who was bishop at Hierapolis in Asia." He also composed a volume to Domninus, who in time of persecution had turned aside to the Jews; and another book on the Gospel which is ascribed to Peter, to the church of Rhossus in Cilicia, which had turned aside into heresy through reading it. Short letters of his are also read here and there, in keeping with their author's discipline and life. ### Extrabiblical texts - Serapion of Antioch, Serapion (Serapion of Antioch (letters)): quotation, high confidence - Gos. Pet. (Gospel of Peter): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.19 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.19 and 6.12. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 41 (PL 23:664b–665a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-41). ## On Illustrious Men 42 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-42 - Source: PL 23:665a–665b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Apollonius the Roman senator defended his faith before the senate and was beheaded. ### Latin text Apollonius, Romanae urbis senator, sub Commodo principe a servo Severo proditus, quod Christianus esset, impetrato, ut rationem fidei suae redderet, insigne volumen composuit, quod in senatu legit; et nihilominus sententia senatus pro Christo capite truncatus est, veteri apud eos obtinente lege, absque negatione non dimitti Christianos, qui semel ad eorum judicium pertracti essent. ### English translation (Claude) Apollonius, a senator of the city of Rome, betrayed under the emperor Commodus by a slave, Severus, as being a Christian, having obtained leave to give an account of his faith, composed a notable volume which he read in the senate; and nonetheless, by the sentence of the senate, he was beheaded for Christ, an old law prevailing among them that Christians who had once been dragged before their court should not be released without denying. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.21 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.21. The slave's name, Severus, is in Jerome's text, not in Eusebius. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 42 (PL 23:665a–665b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-42). ## On Illustrious Men 43 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-43 - Source: PL 23:665b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theophilus of Caesarea wrote a synodal letter against the Quartodecimans. ### Latin text Theophilus, Caesareae Palestinae (quae olim Turris Stratonis vocabatur) episcopus, sub Severo principe, adversum eos, qui decima quarta luna cum Judaeis Pascha faciebant, cum caeteris episcopis synodicam valde utilem composuit epistolam. ### English translation (Claude) Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine (which was once called Strato's Tower), composed under the emperor Severus, with the other bishops, a very useful synodal letter against those who kept Easter with the Jews on the fourteenth day of the moon. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 43 (PL 23:665b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-43). ## On Illustrious Men 44 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-44 - Source: PL 23:665b–665c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bacchylus of Corinth wrote on Easter for the bishops of Achaia. ### Latin text Bacchylus, Corinthi episcopus, sub eodem Severo principe clarus habitus, de Pascha, ex omnium qui in Achaia erant episcoporum persona, elegantem librum scripsit. ### English translation (Claude) Bacchylus, bishop of Corinth, considered famous under the same emperor Severus, wrote an elegant book on Easter in the person of all the bishops who were in Achaia. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 44 (PL 23:665b–665c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-44). ## On Illustrious Men 45 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-45 - Source: PL 23:665c–667a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Polycrates of Ephesus defended the Asian custom of keeping Easter on the fourteenth day against Victor of Rome. ### Latin text Polycrates, Ephesiorum episcopus, cum caeteris episcopis Asiae, qui juxta quamdam veterem consuetudinem cum Judaeis decima quarta luna Pascha celebrabant, scripsit adversus Victorem, episcopum Romanum, epistolam synodicam, in qua docet, se apostoli Joannis et veterum auctoritatem sequi: de qua haec pauca excerpsimus: « Nos igitur inviolabilem celebramus diem, neque addentes aliquid, neque dementes. Etenim in Asia elementa maxima dormierunt, quae resurgent in die Domini, quando venturus est de coelis in majestate sua, suscitaturus omnes sanctos: Philippum loquor de duodecim apostolis, qui dormivit Hierapoli, et duas filias ejus, quae virgines senuerunt, et aliam ejus filiam, quae Spiritu sancto plena in Epheso occubuit. Sed et Joannes, qui super pectus Domini recubuit, et pontifex ejus auream laminam in fronte portans, martyr et doctor in Epheso dormivit: et Polycarpus, episcopus et martyr, Smyrnae cubat. Thraseas quoque episcopus et martyr de Eumenia in eadem Smyrna requiescit. Quid necesse est Sagaris episcopi et martyris recordari, qui in Laodicea soporatur, et Papirii beati, et Melitonis in sancto Spiritu eunuchi, qui semper Domino serviens, positus est in Sardis, et exspectat in adventu ejus resurrectionem? Hi omnes observaverunt Paschae diem decima quarta luna, ab evangelica traditione in nullam partem declinantes, et ecclesiasticum sequentes canonem. Ego quoque minimus omnium vestrum Polycrates, secundum doctrinam propinquorum meorum, quos et secutus sum; septem siquidem fuerunt propinqui mei episcopi, et ego octavus: semper Pascha celebravi, quando populus Judaeorum azyma faciebat. Itaque, fratres, sexaginta quinque annos aetatis meae natus in Domino, et a multis ex toto orbe fratribus eruditus, peragrata omni Scriptura, non formidabo eos, qui nobis minantur. Dixerunt enim majores mei: Obedire Deo magis oportet, quam hominibus. » Haec propterea posui, ut ingenium et auctoritatem viri ex parvo opusculo demonstrarem. Floruit temporibus Severi principis, eadem aetate qua Narcissus Hierosolymae. ### English translation (Claude) Polycrates, bishop of the Ephesians, with the other bishops of Asia who, according to a certain old custom, celebrated Easter with the Jews on the fourteenth day of the moon, wrote a synodal letter against Victor, bishop of Rome, in which he teaches that he follows the authority of the apostle John and of the ancients; from which we have extracted these few words: "We, then, keep the day inviolate, neither adding nor taking away. For in Asia great lights have fallen asleep, which will rise on the day of the Lord, when he will come from heaven in his majesty to raise all the saints: I mean Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who sleeps at Hierapolis, and his two daughters, who grew old as virgins, and another daughter of his, who, full of the Holy Spirit, died at Ephesus. And John too, who lay on the Lord's breast and was his high priest, wearing the golden plate on his forehead, martyr and teacher, sleeps at Ephesus; and Polycarp, bishop and martyr, lies at Smyrna. Thraseas too, bishop and martyr, of Eumenia, rests in the same Smyrna. What need is there to recall Sagaris, bishop and martyr, who sleeps at Laodicea, and the blessed Papirius, and Melito, a eunuch in the Holy Spirit, who, always serving the Lord, was laid at Sardis and awaits the resurrection at his coming? All these observed the day of Easter on the fourteenth day of the moon, turning aside in no part from the Gospel tradition, and following the church's rule. I too, the least of all of you, Polycrates, according to the teaching of my kinsmen, whom I have followed (for seven of my kinsmen were bishops, and I am the eighth), have always celebrated Easter when the people of the Jews made unleavened bread. So, brothers, being sixty-five years old in the Lord, and taught by many brothers from the whole world, having gone through all Scripture, I will not fear those who threaten us. For my forebears said: We must obey God rather than men." I have set this down to show the talent and authority of the man from a small work. He flourished in the times of the emperor Severus, in the same age as Narcissus at Jerusalem. ### Scripture references - John 13:23: allusion, high confidence - Acts 5:29: quotation, high confidence - Acts 21:9: allusion, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Polycrates of Ephesus, Polycrates (Polycrates of Ephesus, Letter to Victor): quotation, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.24 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 5.24.2–7; Acts 5:29; John 13:23. 'Taking away' renders the digital text's 'dementes' by sense. 'Eunuch' is used of Melito's celibacy. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 45 (PL 23:665c–667a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-45). ## On Illustrious Men 46 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-46 - Source: PL 23:667a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Heraclitus wrote commentaries on Paul. ### Latin text Heraclitus sub Commodi Severique imperio in Apostolum Commentarios composuit. ### English translation (Claude) Heraclitus, under the rule of Commodus and Severus, composed commentaries on the Apostle. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 46 (PL 23:667a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-46). ## On Illustrious Men 47 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-47 - Source: PL 23:667b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Maximus wrote on the origin of evil and the creation of matter. ### Latin text Maximus sub iisdem principibus famosam quaestionem insigni volumine ventilavit, unde malum, et quod materia a Deo facta sit. ### English translation (Claude) Maximus, under the same emperors, discussed in a notable volume the famous question of where evil comes from, and that matter was made by God. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 47 (PL 23:667b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-47). ## On Illustrious Men 48 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-48 - Source: PL 23:667b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Candidus wrote on the six days of creation. ### Latin text Candidus, regnantibus supra scriptis, in Hexaemeron pulcherrimos tractatus edidit, ### English translation (Claude) Candidus, in the reign of those mentioned above, published very fine treatises on the Hexaemeron. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 48 (PL 23:667b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-48). ## On Illustrious Men 49 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-49 - Source: PL 23:667b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Appion wrote on the six days of creation. ### Latin text Appion, sub Severo principe, similiter in Hexaemeron tractatus fecit. ### English translation (Claude) Appion, under the emperor Severus, likewise wrote treatises on the Hexaemeron. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 49 (PL 23:667b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-49). ## On Illustrious Men 50 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-50 - Source: PL 23:667b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sextus wrote on the resurrection. ### Latin text Sextus sub imperatore Severo, librum de resurrectione scripsit. ### English translation (Claude) Sextus, under the emperor Severus, wrote a book on the resurrection. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 50 (PL 23:667b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-50). ## On Illustrious Men 51 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-51 - Source: PL 23:667c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arabianus wrote short works on Christian doctrine. ### Latin text Arabianus sub eodem principe edidit quaedam opuscula ad Christianum dogma pertinentia. ### English translation (Claude) Arabianus, under the same emperor, published some short works belonging to Christian doctrine. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 51 (PL 23:667c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-51). ## On Illustrious Men 52 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-52 - Source: PL 23:667c–667d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Jude wrote on Daniel's seventy weeks and wrongly expected Antichrist in his own day. ### Latin text Judas de septuaginta apud Danielem hebdomadibus plenissime disputavit, et chronographiam superiorum temporum usque ad decimum Severi produxit annum. In qua erroris arguitur quod adventum Antichristi circa sua tempora futurum esse dixerit: sed hoc ideo, quia magnitudo persecutionum praesentem mundi minabatur occasum. ### English translation (Claude) Jude discussed most fully the seventy weeks in Daniel and carried a chronography of former times down to the tenth year of Severus. In it he is convicted of error, because he said that the coming of Antichrist would be about his own times; but this was because the greatness of the persecutions seemed to threaten the present end of the world. ### Scripture references - Dan 9:24: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Dan 9:24–27; Eusebius, Church History 6.7. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 52 (PL 23:667c–667d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-52). ## On Illustrious Men 53 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-53 - Source: PL 23:668a–668b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tertullian of Carthage, much read by Cyprian, became a Montanist and wrote against the church on modesty, flight in persecution, fasting and monogamy. ### Latin text Tertullianus presbyter, nunc demum primus post Victorem et Apollonium Latinorum ponitur, provinciae Africae, civitatis Carthaginiensis, patre Centurione proconsulari. Hic acris et vehementis ingenii, sub Severo principe et Antonino Caracalla maxime floruit, multaque scripsit volumina, quae quia nota sunt pluribus, praetermittimus. Vidi ego quemdam Paulum Concordiae, quod oppidum Italiae est, senem qui se beati Cypriani, jam grandis aetatis, notarium, cum ipse admodum esset adolescens, Romae vidisse diceret, referreque sibi solitum nunquam Cyprianum absque Tertulliani lectione unum diem praeterisse, ac sibi crebro dicere: Da magistrum: Tertullianum videlicet significans. Hic cum usque ad mediam aetatem presbyter Ecclesiae permansisset, invidia postea et contumeliis clericorum Romanae Ecclesiae, ad Montani dogma delapsus, in multis libris novae prophetiae meminit, specialiter autem adversum Ecclesiam texuit volumina de pudicitia, de persecutione, de jejuniis, de monogamia, de exstasi libros sex, et septimum, quem adversum Apollonium composuit. Ferturque vixisse usque ad decrepitam aetatem, et multa quae non exstant opuscula condidisse. ### English translation (Claude) Tertullian, a presbyter, is now at last placed as the first of the Latins after Victor and Apollonius; of the province of Africa, the city of Carthage, his father a proconsular centurion. He was of a keen and vehement mind and flourished chiefly under the emperor Severus and Antoninus Caracalla, and wrote many volumes, which we pass over because they are known to many. I myself saw a certain Paul at Concordia, a town of Italy, an old man, who said that he had seen at Rome, when he himself was very young, the secretary of blessed Cyprian, who was then of great age, and that he used to tell him that Cyprian never let a day pass without reading Tertullian, and often said to him, "Give me the master", meaning Tertullian of course. He, having remained a presbyter of the church until middle age, afterwards, through the envy and insults of the clergy of the Roman church, slipped into the doctrine of Montanus, and mentions the new prophecy in many books; and specially against the church he composed the volumes On Modesty, On Persecution, On Fasts, On Monogamy, six books On Ecstasy, and a seventh which he composed against Apollonius. He is said to have lived to a decrepit old age and to have written many short works that do not survive. ### Extrabiblical texts - Tertullian, Pud. (On Modesty): allusion, high confidence - Tertullian, Fug. (On Flight in Persecution): allusion, high confidence - Tertullian, Jejun. (On Fasting, against the Psychics): allusion, high confidence - Tertullian, Mon. (On Monogamy): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - 'On Persecution' is On Flight in Persecution. Jerome's account of Tertullian's motives is his own. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 53 (PL 23:668a–668b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-53). ## On Illustrious Men 54 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-54 - Source: PL 23:668b–671a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Origen: his youth, teaching at Alexandria, ordination in Palestine and conflict with Demetrius, his Hexapla and learning, and his suffering under Decius. ### Latin text Origenes, qui et Adamantius, decimo Severi Pertinacis anno adversum Christianos persecutione commota, a Leonide patre, Christi martyrio coronato, cum sex fratribus et matre vidua, pauper relinquitur, annos natus circiter decem et septem. Rem enim familiarem ob confessionem Christi fiscus occupaverat. Hic, Alexandriae dispersa Ecclesia, decimo octavo aetatis suae anno, κατηχήσεων opus aggressus, postea a Demetrio, ejus urbis episcopo, in locum Clementis presbyteri confirmatus, per multos annos floruit: et cum jam mediae esset aetatis, et propter Ecclesias Achaiae, quae pluribus haeresibus vexabantur, sub testimonio ecclesiasticae epistolae, Athenas per Palaestinam pergeret, a Theoctisto et Alexandro, Caesareae et Hierosolymorum episcopis, presbyter ordinatus Demetrii offendit animum; qui tanta in eum debacchatus est insania, ut per totum mundum super nomine ejus scriberet. Constat eum, antequam Caesaream migraret, fuisse Romae sub Zephyrino episcopo, et statim Alexandriam reversum, Heraclan presbyterum, qui sub habitu philosophi perseverabat, adjutorem sibi fecisse κατηχήσεως, qui quidem et post Demetrium Alexandrinam tenuit Ecclesiam. Quantae autem gloriae fuerit, hinc apparet, quod Firmilianus, Caesareae episcopus, cum omni Cappadocia eum invitavit, et diu tenuit, et postea, sub occasione sanctorum locorum Palaestinam veniens, diu Caesareae in sanctis Scripturis ab eo eruditus est. Sed et illud, quod ad Mammeam matrem Alexandri imperatoris, religiosam feminam, rogatus venit Antiochiam, et summo honore habitus est: quodque ad Philippum imperatorem, qui primus de regibus Romanis Christianus fuit, et ad matrem ejus litteras fecit, quae usque hodie exstant. Quis ignorat et quod tantum in Scripturis divinis habuerit studii, ut etiam Hebraeam linguam, contra aetatis gentisque suae naturam, edisceret, et exceptis Septuaginta interpretibus, alias quoque editiones in unum congregaret volumen; Aquilae scilicet Pontici proselyti, et Theodotionis Hebionei, et Symmachi ejusdem dogmatis, qui in Evangelium quoque κατά Ματθαίον scripsit commentarios, de quo et suum dogma confirmare conatur. Praeterea quintam et sextam et septimam editionem, quas etiam nos de ejus bibliotheca habemus, miro labore reperit, et cum caeteris editionibus comparavit. Et quia indicem operum ejus in voluminibus epistolarum, quas ad Paulam scripsimus, in quadam epistola contra Varronis opera conferens posui, nunc omitto: illud de immortali ejus ingenio non tacens, quod dialecticam quoque et geometriam, et arithmeticam, musicam, grammaticam et rhetoricam, omniumque philosophorum sectas ita didicit, ut studiosos quoque saecularium litterarum sectatores haberet, et interpretaretur eis quotidie, concursusque ad eum miri fierent: quos ille propterea recipiebat, ut sub occasione saecularis litteraturae in fide Christi eos institueret. De crudelitate autem persecutionis, quae adversum Christianos sub Decio consurrexit, eo quod in religionem Philippi desaeviret, quem et interfecit, superfluum est dicere; cum etiam Fabianus, Romanae Ecclesiae episcopus, in ipsa occubuerit, et Alexander Babylasque, Hierosolymorum et Antiochenae Ecclesiae pontifices, in carcere pro confessione Christi dormierint. Et super Origenis statu si quis scire velit, quid actum sit, primum quidem de epistolis ejus, quae post persecutionem ad diversos missae sunt; deinde de sexto Eusebii Caesariensis ecclesiasticae historiae libro, et pro eodem Origene in sex voluminibus, poterit liquido cognoscere. Vixit usque ad Gallum et Volusianum, id est, usque ad LXIX aetatis suae annum; et mortuus est Tyri, in qua urbe et sepultus est. ### English translation (Claude) Origen, also called Adamantius, when persecution was raised against the Christians in the tenth year of Severus Pertinax, was left poor, with six brothers and a widowed mother, his father Leonides having been crowned with martyrdom for Christ, at about seventeen years of age; for the treasury had seized the family property because of his confession of Christ. When the church at Alexandria had been scattered, in the eighteenth year of his age he undertook the work of catechesis, and afterwards, confirmed by Demetrius, bishop of that city, in the place of the presbyter Clement, he flourished for many years. And when he was already of middle age, and was going to Athens through Palestine because of the churches of Achaia, which were troubled by many heresies, with the testimony of a church letter, he was ordained presbyter by Theoctistus and Alexander, bishops of Caesarea and Jerusalem, and offended the mind of Demetrius, who raged against him with such madness that he wrote about him throughout the whole world. It is established that before he moved to Caesarea he was at Rome under Bishop Zephyrinus, and that on returning at once to Alexandria he made Heraclas the presbyter, who continued in the dress of a philosopher, his assistant in catechesis; he also held the church of Alexandria after Demetrius. How great his glory was appears from this, that Firmilian, bishop of Caesarea, with all Cappadocia, invited him and kept him a long time; and afterwards, coming to Palestine on the occasion of visiting the holy places, was long taught by him at Caesarea in the holy Scriptures. And this too: that at the request of Mammaea, the mother of the emperor Alexander, a religious woman, he came to Antioch and was held in the highest honour; and that he wrote letters to the emperor Philip, who was the first of the Roman rulers to be a Christian, and to his mother, which survive to this day. Who does not know that he had such zeal for the divine Scriptures that he even learned the Hebrew language, against the nature of his age and race, and, besides the Seventy translators, gathered other versions too into one volume: those, namely, of Aquila of Pontus, a proselyte, and of Theodotion the Ebionite, and of Symmachus of the same doctrine, who also wrote commentaries on the Gospel according to Matthew, from which he too tries to confirm his doctrine. Besides, with wonderful labour he found a fifth, sixth, and seventh version, which we also have from his library, and compared them with the other versions. And since I have set out the list of his works in the volumes of letters which we wrote to Paula, in a certain letter comparing them with the works of Varro, I omit it now; not keeping silent, however, about his immortal genius: that he so learned dialectic, geometry, arithmetic, music, grammar and rhetoric, and the schools of all the philosophers, that he had even students of secular letters as followers, and lectured to them daily, and wonderful crowds flocked to him; whom he received for this reason, that under the pretext of secular literature he might instruct them in the faith of Christ. Of the cruelty of the persecution which arose against the Christians under Decius, because he raged against the religion of Philip, whom he also killed, it is superfluous to speak; since even Fabian, bishop of the Roman church, died in it, and Alexander and Babylas, bishops of the churches of Jerusalem and Antioch, fell asleep in prison for confessing Christ. And if anyone wishes to know what happened concerning Origen's own condition, he will be able to learn it clearly, first from his letters which were sent to various people after the persecution, and then from the sixth book of the Church History of Eusebius of Caesarea, and from the six volumes for the same Origen. He lived until Gallus and Volusianus, that is, to the sixty-ninth year of his age, and died at Tyre, in which city he is also buried. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6 (Church History): allusion, high confidence - Pamphilus, Apol. Orig. (Apology for Origen): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Ep. 33 (Letters): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6. The 'six volumes for Origen' are the Apology for Origen by Pamphilus and Eusebius. The list of Origen's works is in Jerome's Letter 33 to Paula. The statement that Philip was the first Christian emperor is Jerome's, after Eusebius. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 54 (PL 23:668b–671a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-54). ## On Illustrious Men 55 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-55 - Source: PL 23:671a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ammonius of Alexandria wrote on the harmony of Moses and Jesus and devised Gospel canons. ### Latin text Ammonius, vir disertus et valde eruditus in philosophia, eodem tempore Alexandriae clarus habitus est: qui inter multa ingenii sui et praeclara monumenta etiam de consonantia Moysi et Jesu elegans opus composuit, et evangelicos canones excogitavit, quos postea secutus est Eusebius Caesariensis. Hunc falso accusat Porphyrius, quod ex Christiano ethnicus fuerit, cum constet eum usque ad extremam vitam Christianum perseverasse. ### English translation (Claude) Ammonius, an eloquent man and very learned in philosophy, was considered famous at Alexandria at the same time. Among many fine monuments of his genius he composed an elegant work on the harmony of Moses and Jesus, and devised the Gospel canons, which Eusebius of Caesarea afterwards followed. Porphyry falsely accuses him of having become a pagan from a Christian, since it is established that he remained a Christian to the end of his life. ### Extrabiblical texts - Porphyry, Porphyry, Chr. (Porphyry, Against the Christians (fragments)): allusion, medium confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.19.9 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.19.6–10; Jerome, like Eusebius, probably confuses the Christian Ammonius with Ammonius Saccas, the teacher of Plotinus. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 55 (PL 23:671a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-55). ## On Illustrious Men 56 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-56 - Source: PL 23:671b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ambrose, Origen's patron, funded his writing; Origen's Exhortation to Martyrdom is addressed to him. ### Latin text Ambrosius primum Marcionites, deinde ab Origene correctus, Ecclesiae diaconus, et confessionis Dominicae gloria insignis fuit, cui et Protocteto presbytero liber Origenis de Martyrio scribitur. Hujus industria et sumptu et instantia adjutus infinita Origenes dictavit volumina. Sed et ipse, quippe ut vir nobilis, non inelegantis ingenii fuit, sicut ejus ad Origenem epistolae indicio sunt. Obiit ante mortem Origenis, et in hoc a plerisque reprehenditur, quod vir locuples amici sui senis et pauperis moriens non recordatus sit. ### English translation (Claude) Ambrose, at first a Marcionite, then corrected by Origen, was a deacon of the church and distinguished by the glory of confessing the Lord; Origen's book On Martyrdom is addressed to him and to the presbyter Protoctetus. Helped by his industry, expense and insistence, Origen dictated countless volumes. He himself too, as a man of noble birth, was of no inelegant talent, as his letters to Origen show. He died before Origen and is blamed by many for this, that, a rich man, he did not remember his old and poor friend when he died. ### Extrabiblical texts - Origen, Mart. (Exhortation to Martyrdom): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 56 (PL 23:671b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-56). ## On Illustrious Men 57 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-57 - Source: PL 23:671b–672a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tryphon, Origen's pupil, wrote on the red heifer and on Abraham's sacrifice. ### Latin text Tryphon, Origenis auditor, ad quem nonnullae ejus exstant epistolae, in Scripturis eruditissimus fuit. Quod quidem et multa ejus sparsim ostendunt opuscula, sed praecipue liber, quem composuit de Vacca rufa in Deuteronomio, et de Dichotomematibus, quae cum columba et turture Abraham ponuntur in Genesi. ### English translation (Claude) Tryphon, a hearer of Origen, to whom some letters of his survive, was very learned in the Scriptures. Many of his short works scattered here and there show this, but especially the book he composed on the red heifer in Deuteronomy, and on the divided animals which Abraham set out with the dove and the turtledove in Genesis. ### Scripture references - Num 19:2: allusion, medium confidence - Gen 15:9: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The red heifer is in Num 19 (Jerome says Deuteronomy); Gen 15:9–10. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 57 (PL 23:671b–672a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-57). ## On Illustrious Men 58 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-58 - Source: PL 23:672a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Minucius Felix wrote the Octavius; a work On Fate under his name is doubtful. ### Latin text Minucius Felix, Romae insignis causidicus, scripsit Dialogum Christiani et ethnici disputantium, qui Octavius inscribitur. Sed et alius sub nomine ejus fertur de Fato, vel contra mathematicos, qui cum sit et ipse diserti hominis, non mihi videtur cum superioris libri stylo convenire. Meminit hujus Minucii et Lactantius in libris suis. ### English translation (Claude) Minucius Felix, a distinguished advocate at Rome, wrote a dialogue of a Christian and a pagan disputing, entitled Octavius. Another, On Fate, or Against the Astrologers, is also ascribed to him, which, though it too is by an eloquent man, does not seem to me to agree with the style of the former book. Lactantius too mentions this Minucius in his books. ### Extrabiblical texts - Minucius Felix, Oct. (Octavius): allusion, high confidence - Lactantius, Inst. 5.1.22 (Divine Institutes): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Lactantius, Divine Institutes 1.11.55 and 5.1.22. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 58 (PL 23:672a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-58). ## On Illustrious Men 59 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-59 - Source: PL 23:672b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gaius of Rome disputed against the Montanist Proclus and did not count Hebrews as Paul's. ### Latin text Caius, sub Zephyrino Romanae urbis episcopo, id est sub Antonino Severi filio, disputationem adversum Proculum, Montani sectatorem, valde insignem habuit, arguens eum temeritatis, super Nova Prophetia defendenda, et in eodem volumine Epistolas quoque Pauli tredecim tantum enumerans; decimam quartam quae fertur ad Hebraeos, dicit non ejus esse, sed et apud Romanos usque hodie quasi Pauli apostoli non habetur. ### English translation (Claude) Gaius, under Zephyrinus, bishop of the city of Rome, that is, under Antoninus the son of Severus, held a very notable disputation against Proclus, a follower of Montanus, convicting him of rashness in defending the new prophecy; and in the same volume, listing only thirteen letters of Paul, he says that the fourteenth, which is called To the Hebrews, is not his; and indeed among the Romans to this day it is not held to be the apostle Paul's. ### Extrabiblical texts - Gaius of Rome, Gaius, Dial. Procl. (Gaius of Rome, Gaius, Dialogue with Proclus (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.20 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.20. The digital text names him 'Galus'. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 59 (PL 23:672b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-59). ## On Illustrious Men 60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-60 - Source: PL 23:672b–672c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Beryllus of Bostra, who denied Christ's pre-existence, was corrected by Origen. ### Latin text Beryllus, Arabiae Bostrenus episcopus, cum aliquanto tempore gloriose rexisset Ecclesiam, ad extremum lapsus in haeresim, quae Christum ante incarnationem negat, ab Origene correctus, scripsit varia opuscula, et maxime epistolas, in quibus Origeni gratias agit; sed et Origenis ad eum litterae sunt. Exstat dialogus Origenis et Berylli, in quo haereseos coarguitur. Claruit autem sub Alexandro, Mammeae filio, et Maximino et Gordiano, qui ei in imperium successerunt. ### English translation (Claude) Beryllus, bishop of Bostra in Arabia, after governing the church gloriously for some time, at last fell into the heresy which denies that Christ existed before the incarnation; corrected by Origen, he wrote various short works, and especially letters in which he thanks Origen; and there are letters of Origen to him too. There is a dialogue of Origen and Beryllus extant, in which he is convicted of heresy. He was famous under Alexander, son of Mammaea, and Maximinus and Gordian, who succeeded him in the empire. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.33 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.33. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 60 (PL 23:672b–672c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-60). ## On Illustrious Men 61 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-61 - Source: PL 23:673a–674d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hippolytus wrote an Easter table and many commentaries and treatises; in emulation of him Ambrose drove Origen to write. ### Latin text Hippolytus, cujusdam Ecclesiae episcopus, nomen quippe urbis scire non potui, rationem Paschae temporumque Canones scripsit, usque ad primum annum Alexandri imperatoris, et sedecim annorum circulum, quem Graeci ἑκκαιδεκαετηρίδα vocant, reperit, et Eusebio, qui super eodem Pascha Canonem, decem et novem annorum circulum, id est, ἐννεακαιδεκαετηρίδα composuit, occasionem dedit. Scripsit nonnullos in Scripturas commentarios, e quibus hos reperi: in Έξαήμερον, et in Exodum, in Canticum canticorum, in Genesim, et in Zachariam; de Psalmis, et in Isaiam, de Daniele, de Apocalypsi, de Proverbiis, de Ecclesiaste, de Saul et Pythonissa, de Antichristo, de Resurrectione, contra Marcionem, de Pascha, adversum omnes haereses, et de laude Domini Salvatoris, in qua praesente Origene, se loqui in ecclesia significat. In hujus aemulationem Ambrosius, quem de Marcionis haeresi ad veram fidem correctum diximus, cohortatus est Origenem, in Scripturas commentarios scribere, praebens ei septem et eo amplius notarios, eorumque expensas, et librariorum parem numerum, quodque his majus est, incredibili studio quotidie ab eo opus exigens. Unde in quadam epistola ἐργοδιώκτην eum Origenes vocat. ### English translation (Claude) Hippolytus, bishop of a certain church (for I have not been able to learn the name of the city), wrote a reckoning of Easter and chronological tables up to the first year of the emperor Alexander, and discovered a sixteen-year cycle, which the Greeks call hekkaidekaeteris; and he gave the occasion to Eusebius, who composed a table on the same Easter, a nineteen-year cycle, that is, enneakaidekaeteris. He wrote a number of commentaries on the Scriptures, of which I have found these: on the Hexaemeron, on Exodus, on the Song of Songs, on Genesis, and on Zechariah; on the Psalms, on Isaiah, on Daniel, on the Apocalypse, on Proverbs, on Ecclesiastes, on Saul and the Pythoness, on Antichrist, on the Resurrection, against Marcion, on Easter, against all heresies, and on the praise of the Lord and Saviour, in which he indicates that he was speaking in church in Origen's presence. In emulation of him, Ambrose, whom we said had been corrected from the heresy of Marcion to the true faith, urged Origen to write commentaries on the Scriptures, providing him with seven or more stenographers and their expenses, and an equal number of copyists; and, what is greater, with incredible zeal demanding the work from him daily. Hence in a certain letter Origen calls him his "taskmaster". ### Extrabiblical texts - Hippolytus, Antichr. (Treatise on Christ and Antichrist): allusion, high confidence - Hippolytus, Haer. (Refutation of All Heresies): allusion, medium confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.22 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.22–23. 'Against all heresies' may be the Refutation or the lost Syntagma. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 61 (PL 23:673a–674d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-61). ## On Illustrious Men 62 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-62 - Source: PL 23:675b–676b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Alexander became coadjutor bishop of Jerusalem with the aged Narcissus after a revelation, wrote letters, and died a martyr under Decius. ### Latin text Alexander, episcopus Cappadociae, cum desiderio sanctorum locorum Hierosolymam pergeret, et Narcissus episcopus ejusdem urbis jam senex regeret Ecclesiam, et Narcisso et multis clericorum ejus revelatum est, altera die mane intrare episcopum, qui adjutor sacerdotalis cathedrae esse deberet. Itaque re ita completa, ut praedicta fuerat, cunctis in Palaestina episcopis in unum congregatis, adnitente quoque ipso vel maxime Narcisso, Hierosolymitanae Ecclesiae cum eo gubernaculum suscepit. Hic in fine cujusdam epistolae, quam scribit ad Antinoitas super pace Ecclesiae, ait: « Salutat vos Narcissus, qui ante me hic tenuit episcopalem locum, et nunc mecum eumdem orationibus regit, annos natus circiter centum sedecim, et vos mecum precatur ut unum idemque sapiatis. » Scripsit et aliam ad Antiochenses, per Clementem presbyterum Alexandriae, de quo supra diximus, nec non ad Origenem, et pro Origene contra Demetrium; eo quod juxta testimonium Demetrii eum presbyterum constituerit. Sed et aliae ejus ad diversos feruntur epistolae. Septima autem persecutione sub Decio, quo tempore Babylas Antiochiae passus est, ductus Caesaream, et clausus in carcere, ob confessionem Christi martyrio coronatur ### English translation (Claude) Alexander, a bishop of Cappadocia, was going to Jerusalem out of desire for the holy places, while Narcissus, bishop of that city, now an old man, governed the church; and it was revealed to Narcissus and many of his clergy that on the next morning a bishop would enter who ought to be the helper of the priestly chair. So, when the thing had happened as foretold, all the bishops in Palestine being assembled together, and Narcissus himself supporting it most of all, he took up with him the government of the church of Jerusalem. At the end of a certain letter which he writes to the Antinoites about the peace of the church, he says: "Narcissus greets you, who held the bishop's place here before me, and now governs it with me by his prayers, being about one hundred and sixteen years old; and he begs you with me to be of one mind." He also wrote another to the Antiochenes by Clement, presbyter of Alexandria, of whom we spoke above, and also to Origen, and for Origen against Demetrius, because, according to Demetrius's testimony, he had made him a presbyter. Other letters of his to various people are also current. In the seventh persecution, under Decius, at the time when Babylas suffered at Antioch, he was led to Caesarea, shut in prison, and crowned with martyrdom for confessing Christ. ### Scripture references - Phil 2:2: echo, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.11 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.11, 6.14, 6.39; Rom 15:5 and Phil 2:2 ('of one mind'). ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 62 (PL 23:675b–676b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-62). ## On Illustrious Men 63 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-63 - Source: PL 23:676c–677a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Julius Africanus wrote a chronography, a letter to Origen doubting Susanna, and a letter to Aristides on the genealogies of Christ. ### Latin text Julius Africanus, cujus quinque de Temporibus exstant volumina, sub imperatore M. Aurelio Antonino, qui Macrino successerat, legationem pro instauratione urbis Emmaus suscepit, quae postea Nicopolis appellata est. Hujus est epistola ad Origenem super quaestione Susannae: eo quod dicat in Hebraeo hanc fabulam non haberi, nec convenire cum Hebraica etymologia ἀπὸ τοῦ σχίνου σχίσαι, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πρίνου πρίσαι, contra quem doctam epistolam scribit Origenes. Exstat ejus ad Aristidem altera epistola, in qua super διαφωνίᾳ, quae videtur esse in genealogia Salvatoris apud Matthaeum et Lucam, plenissime disputat. ### English translation (Claude) Julius Africanus, whose five volumes On Chronology survive, under the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who had succeeded Macrinus, undertook an embassy for the restoration of the city of Emmaus, which was afterwards called Nicopolis. His is the letter to Origen on the question of Susanna, in which he says that this story is not found in the Hebrew, and does not agree with the Hebrew etymology of 'from the mastic tree, split' and 'from the holm oak, saw'; against which Origen writes a learned letter. There survives another letter of his, to Aristides, in which he discusses most fully the discrepancy which seems to exist in the Saviour's genealogy in Matthew and Luke. ### Scripture references - Matt 1:1: allusion, medium confidence - Luke 3:23: allusion, medium confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Julius Africanus (Julius Africanus (fragments)): allusion, high confidence - Origen, Ep. Afr. (Letter to Africanus): allusion, high confidence - Julius Africanus, Aristid. (Letter to Aristides on the Genealogies of Christ): allusion, high confidence - Sus 54-59 (Susanna): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The puns in Susanna 54–55, 58–59 work only in Greek. Matt 1 and Luke 3. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 63 (PL 23:676c–677a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-63). ## On Illustrious Men 64 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-64 - Source: PL 23:677a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Geminus of Antioch wrote a few works. ### Latin text Geminus, Antiochenae Ecclesiae presbyter, pauca ingenii sui monumenta composuit: florens sub Alexandro principe, et episcopo urbis suae Zebenno, eo vel maxime tempore, quo Heraclas Alexandrinae Ecclesiae pontifex ordinatus est. ### English translation (Claude) Geminus, a presbyter of the church of Antioch, composed a few monuments of his genius, flourishing under the emperor Alexander and Zebennus, bishop of his city, especially at the time when Heraclas was ordained bishop of the church of Alexandria. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 64 (PL 23:677a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-64). ## On Illustrious Men 65 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-65 - Source: PL 23:677b–678a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Origen's pupil, wrote a Panegyric to Origen and a Paraphrase of Ecclesiastes, and worked many miracles. ### Latin text Theodorus, qui postea Gregorius appellatus est, Neocaesareae Ponti episcopus, admodum adolescens, ob studia Graecarum et Latinarum litterarum, de Cappadocia Berytum, et inde Caesaream Palaestinae transiit, juncto sibi fratre Athenodoro. Quorum cum egregiam indolem vidisset Origenes, hortatus est eos ad philosophiam, in qua paulatim Christi fidem subintroducens, sui quoque sectatores reddidit. Quinquennio itaque eruditi ab eo remittuntur ad matrem, e quibus Theodorus proficiscens, πανηγυρικήν ευχαριστίας scripsit Origeni: et convocata grandi frequentia, ipso quoque Origene praesente recitavit, qui usque hodie exstat. Scripsit et μετάφρασιν in Ecclesiasten, brevem quidem, sed valde utilem. Et aliae hujus vulgo feruntur epistolae, sed praecipue signa atque miracula, quae jam episcopus cum multa Ecclesiarum gloria perpetravit. ### English translation (Claude) Theodore, who was afterwards called Gregory, bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontus, as a very young man, for the study of Greek and Latin letters, went from Cappadocia to Berytus and thence to Caesarea in Palestine, together with his brother Athenodorus. When Origen saw their excellent character, he urged them to philosophy, in which, gradually introducing the faith of Christ, he made them his followers too. So, after being taught by him for five years, they were sent back to their mother; and Theodore, on leaving, wrote a Panegyric of thanksgiving to Origen, and, a great crowd being assembled, recited it in Origen's own presence; it survives to this day. He also wrote a Paraphrase of Ecclesiastes, short but very useful. Other letters of his are also commonly current, but above all the signs and miracles which he performed as bishop, with much glory to the churches. ### Extrabiblical texts - Gregory Thaumaturgus, Pan. Orig. (Address of Thanksgiving to Origen): allusion, high confidence - Gregory Thaumaturgus, Metaph. Eccl. (Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 65 (PL 23:677b–678a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-65). ## On Illustrious Men 66 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-66 - Source: PL 23:678a–678b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cornelius of Rome wrote letters to Fabius of Antioch on Novatian and the lapsed. ### Latin text Cornelius, Romanae urbis episcopus, ad quem octo Cypriani exstant epistolae, scripsit epistolam ad Fabium Antiochenae Ecclesiae episcopum, de synodo Romana, Italica, Africana, et aliam de Novatiano, et de his qui lapsi sunt; tertiam de gestis synodi; quartam ad eumdem Fabium valde prolixam, et Novatianae haereseos causas et anathema continentem. Rexit Ecclesiam annis duobus sub Gallo et Volusiano, cui ob Christum martyrio coronato successit Lucius. ### English translation (Claude) Cornelius, bishop of the city of Rome, to whom eight letters of Cyprian survive, wrote a letter to Fabius, bishop of the church of Antioch, on the Roman, Italian and African synod; another on Novatian and on those who have lapsed; a third on the acts of the synod; a fourth to the same Fabius, very long, containing the causes of the Novatian heresy and its anathema. He governed the church for two years under Gallus and Volusianus, and, when he was crowned with martyrdom for Christ, Lucius succeeded him. ### Extrabiblical texts - Cornelius of Rome, Cornelius (Cornelius of Rome, Letter to Fabius of Antioch): allusion, high confidence - Cyprian, Ep. (Letters): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.43 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.43. Migne's inline note giving the year of the synod (251) is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 66 (PL 23:678a–678b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-66). ## On Illustrious Men 67 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-67 - Source: PL 23:678b–678c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cyprian of Carthage, convert from rhetoric, bishop and martyr under Valerian. ### Latin text Cyprianus Afer, primum gloriose rhetoricam docuit; exinde suadente presbytero Caecilio, a quo et cognomentum sortitus est, Christianus factus, omnem substantiam suam pauperibus erogavit, ac post non multum temporis electus in presbyterum, etiam episcopus Carthaginiensis constitutus est. Hujus ingenii superfluum est indicem texere, cum sole clariora sint ejus opera. Passus est sub Valeriano et Galieno principibus, persecutione octava, eodem die quo Romae Cornelius, sed non eodem anno. ### English translation (Claude) Cyprian, an African, first taught rhetoric with distinction; then, at the persuasion of the presbyter Caecilius, from whom he also took his surname, he became a Christian, gave all his property to the poor, and not long afterwards, chosen as presbyter, was also made bishop of Carthage. It is superfluous to make a list of his genius, since his works are clearer than the sun. He suffered under the emperors Valerian and Gallienus, in the eighth persecution, on the same day as Cornelius at Rome, but not in the same year. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 67 (PL 23:678b–678c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-67). ## On Illustrious Men 68 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-68 - Source: PL 23:678c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pontius wrote the Life of Cyprian. ### Latin text Pontius, diaconus Cypriani, usque ad diem passionis ejus cum ipso exsilium sustinens, egregium volumen vitae et passionis Cypriani reliquit. ### English translation (Claude) Pontius, Cyprian's deacon, who endured exile with him until the day of his passion, left an excellent volume on the life and passion of Cyprian. ### Extrabiblical texts - Pontius, V. Cypr. (Life of Cyprian): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 68 (PL 23:678c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/23/#p-68). ## On Illustrious Men 69 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-69 - Source: PL 23:678c–680a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dionysius of Alexandria, Origen's pupil, wrote many letters, including one urging Novatian to end his schism, and books against Nepos's millenarianism. ### Latin text Dionysius, Alexandrinae urbis episcopus, sub Heracla scholam κατηχήσεων presbyter tenuit, et Origenis valde insignis auditor fuit. Hic in Cypriani et Africanae synodi dogma consentiens, de haereticis rebaptizandis, ad diversos plurimas misit epistolas, quae usque hodie exstant, et ad Fabium Antiochenae urbis episcopum scripsit de poenitentia, et ad Romanos per Hippolytum alteram: ad Xystum, qui Stephano successerat, duas epistolas, et ad Philemonem et ad Dionysium, Romanae Ecclesiae presbyteros, duas epistolas, et ad eumdem Dionysium, postea Romae episcopum, et ad Novatianum causantem, quod invitus Romae episcopus ordinatus esset, cujus epistolae hoc exordium est: « Dionysius Novatiano fratri salutem. Si invitus, ut dicis, ordinatus es, probabis, cum volens secesseris. Nam oportuit quidvis etiam hac gratia perpeti, ne discinderetur Ecclesia Dei. Neque minus praeclarum ex hoc contigisset testimonium, quod noluisses dissidium inducere, quam proficisci solet ex eo, si quis recuset simulacris immolare, atque adeo praeclarius etiam, mea quidem sententia, siquidem illic uni propriaeque consulitur animae, hic totius Ecclesiae negotium agitur. Tametsi nunc quoque si persuaseris, si compuleris fratres in concordiam redire, plus egeris officio, quam peccaris errato. Atque hoc quidem haud imputabitur, illud vero laudibus feretur. Caeterum si non obtemperantibus illis minus assequeris quod vis, tamen fac modis omnibus ut tuam ipsius serves animam. » Est ejus ad Dionysium et ad Didymum altera epistola, et ἑορταστικαὶ de Pascha plurimae, declamatorio sermone conscriptae, et ad Alexandrinam Ecclesiam de Exsilio, et ad Hieracam in AEgypto episcopum, et alia de Mortalitate et de Sabbato, et περὶ Γυμνασίου, et ad Hermammonem, et alia de Persecutione Decii, et duo libri adversum Nepotem episcopum, qui mille annorum corporale regnum suis scriptis asseverat, in quibus de Apocalypsi Joannis diligentissime disputat: et adversum Sabellium, et ad Ammonem Beronices episcopum, et ad Telesphorum, et ad Euphranorem, et quatuor libri ad Dionysium Romanae urbis episcopum, et ad Laodicenses de Poenitentia; item ad Canonem de Poenitentia, et ad Origenem de Martyrio, ad Armenios de Poenitentia et de ordine delictorum, de Natura ad Timotheum, de Tentationibus ad Euphranorem. Ad Basilidem quoque multae epistolae, in quarum una se asserit etiam in Ecclesiasten coepisse scribere Commentarios. Sed et adversus Paulum Samosatenum ante paucos dies quam moreretur, insignis ejus fertur epistola. Moritur duodecimo Galieni anno. ### English translation (Claude) Dionysius, bishop of the city of Alexandria, as a presbyter held the school of catechesis under Heraclas, and was a very distinguished hearer of Origen. Agreeing with the doctrine of Cyprian and the African synod on rebaptizing heretics, he sent very many letters to various people, which survive to this day; and he wrote to Fabius, bishop of the city of Antioch, on repentance, and another to the Romans by Hippolytus; two letters to Xystus, who had succeeded Stephen; and two letters to Philemon and to Dionysius, presbyters of the Roman church; and to the same Dionysius, afterwards bishop at Rome; and to Novatian, who pleaded that he had been ordained bishop at Rome against his will; the beginning of which letter is this: "Dionysius to his brother Novatian, greeting. If you were ordained against your will, as you say, you will prove it when you withdraw willingly. For you ought to have suffered anything at all, even for this reason, that the church of God might not be divided. Nor would a less glorious testimony have resulted from your refusing to bring in a division than usually comes from someone refusing to sacrifice to idols; and in my opinion an even more glorious one, since there one consults for a single soul of one's own, but here the cause of the whole church is at stake. And even now, if you persuade or compel the brothers to return to concord, you will have done more by your service than you sinned by your error. And this will not be counted against you, while that will be praised. But if, since they do not obey, you cannot achieve what you wish, yet take care in every way to save your own soul." There is another letter of his to Dionysius and Didymus, and very many festal letters on Easter, written in a declamatory style; and to the church of Alexandria on his exile, and to Hierax, a bishop in Egypt, and others on the plague and on the sabbath, and On the Gymnasium, and to Hermammon, and others on the persecution of Decius, and two books against Bishop Nepos, who in his writings asserted a bodily reign of a thousand years, in which he discusses the Apocalypse of John most carefully; and against Sabellius, and to Ammon, bishop of Berenice, and to Telesphorus, and to Euphranor, and four books to Dionysius, bishop of the city of Rome, and to the Laodiceans on repentance; likewise to Conon on repentance, and to Origen on martyrdom, to the Armenians on repentance and on the order of sins, On Nature to Timothy, On Temptations to Euphranor. Also many letters to Basilides, in one of which he states that he had begun to write commentaries on Ecclesiastes. And against Paul of Samosata a notable letter of his is current, written a few days before he died. He died in the twelfth year of Gallienus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Dionysius of Alexandria (Dionysius of Alexandria (letters and fragments)): quotation, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 6.45 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 6.45 (the letter to Novatian) and 7. 'Festal letters' are the annual Easter letters. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 69 (PL 23:678c–680a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-69). ## On Illustrious Men 70 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-70 - Source: PL 23:680a–681a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Novatian led a schism at Rome against receiving the lapsed; among his works are On Jewish Foods and On the Trinity. ### Latin text Novatianus, Romanae urbis presbyter, adversus Corneliam cathedram sacerdotalem conatus invadere, Novatianorum, quod Graece dicitur Καθαρῶν dogma constituit, nolens apostatas suscipere poenitentes. Hujus auctor Novatus, Cypriani presbyter, fuit. Scripsit autem de Pascha, de Sabbato, de Circumcisione, de Sacerdote, de Oratione, de Cibis Judaicis, de Instantia, de Attalo multaque alia, et de Trinitate grande volumen, quasi ἐπιτομήν operis Tertulliani faciens, quod plerique nescientes, Cypriani existimant. ### English translation (Claude) Novatian, a presbyter of the city of Rome, trying to seize the priestly chair against Cornelius, founded the doctrine of the Novatians, which in Greek is called that of the Cathari, refusing to receive apostates who repented. Its author was Novatus, a presbyter of Cyprian. He wrote On the Pascha, On the Sabbath, On Circumcision, On the Priest, On Prayer, On Jewish Foods, On Perseverance, On Attalus, and many other things, and a large volume On the Trinity, making as it were an epitome of Tertullian's work, which most people, not knowing, think is Cyprian's. ### Extrabiblical texts - Novatian, Trin. (On the Trinity): allusion, high confidence - Novatian, Cib. Iud. (On Jewish Foods): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - 'Cathari' means 'the pure'. Jerome's account is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 70 (PL 23:680a–681a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-70). ## On Illustrious Men 71 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-71 - Source: PL 23:681a–681b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Malchion of Antioch disputed against Paul of Samosata and wrote the synod's letter against him. ### Latin text Malchion, disertissimus Antiochenae Ecclesiae presbyter, quippe qui in eadem urbe rhetoricam florentissime docuerat, adversum Paulum Samosatenum, qui Antiochenae Ecclesiae episcopus dogma Artemonis instaurarat, excipientibus notariis disputavit; qui dialogus usque hodie exstat. Sed et alia grandis epistola, ex persona synodi ab eo scripta, ad Dionysium et Maximum Romanae et Alexandrinae Ecclesiae episcopos dirigitur. Floruit sub Claudio et Aureliano. ### English translation (Claude) Malchion, a most eloquent presbyter of the church of Antioch, since he had taught rhetoric with great success in that same city, disputed, with stenographers taking it down, against Paul of Samosata, who as bishop of the church of Antioch had revived the doctrine of Artemon; the dialogue survives to this day. And another great letter, written by him in the person of the synod, is addressed to Dionysius and Maximus, bishops of the Roman and Alexandrian churches. He flourished under Claudius and Aurelian. ### Extrabiblical texts - Ep. syn. Ant. (Synodal Letter against Paul of Samosata): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 7.29 (Church History): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 7.29–30. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 71 (PL 23:681a–681b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-71). ## On Illustrious Men 72 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-72 - Source: PL 23:681b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Archelaus recorded his disputation with Mani. ### Latin text Archelaus, episcopus Mesopotamiae, librum disputationis suae, quam habuit adversum Manichaeum, exeuntem de Perside, Syro sermone composuit, qui translatus in Graecum habetur a multis. Claruit sub imperatore Probo, qui Aureliano et Tacito successerat. ### English translation (Claude) Archelaus, a bishop of Mesopotamia, composed in Syriac a book of the disputation which he held against Mani when he came out of Persia; translated into Greek, it is possessed by many. He was famous under the emperor Probus, who had succeeded Aurelian and Tacitus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Acta Archel. (Acts of Archelaus): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The surviving Acts of Archelaus are ascribed to Hegemonius. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 72 (PL 23:681b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-72). ## On Illustrious Men 73 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-73 - Source: PL 23:681b–681c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Anatolius of Laodicea, learned in the sciences, wrote on Easter and arithmetic. ### Latin text Anatolius Alexandrinus, Laodiceae Syriae episcopus, sub Probo et Caro imperatoribus floruit; mirae doctrinae vir fuit in arithmetica, geometria, astronomia, grammatica, rhetorica, dialectica. Cujus ingenii magnitudinem de volumine, quod super Pascha composuit, et decem libris de Arithmeticae institutionibus, intelligere possumus. ### English translation (Claude) Anatolius of Alexandria, bishop of Laodicea in Syria, flourished under the emperors Probus and Carus; he was a man of wonderful learning in arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, grammar, rhetoric, and dialectic. We can understand the greatness of his genius from the volume he composed on the Pascha, and from ten books on the elements of arithmetic. ### Extrabiblical texts - Anatolius of Laodicea, Anatolius, Pasch. (Anatolius of Laodicea, On the Pascha): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 73 (PL 23:681b–681c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-73). ## On Illustrious Men 74 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-74 - Source: PL 23:681c–682a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Victorinus of Pettau wrote many commentaries, including on the Apocalypse, and died a martyr. ### Latin text Victorinus, Petavionensis episcopus, non aeque Latine ut Graece noverat. Unde opera ejus grandia sensibus, viliora videntur compositione verborum. Sunt autem haec: Commentarii in Genesim, in Exodum, in Leviticum, in Isaiam, in Ezechiel, in Habacuc, in Ecclesiasten, in Cantica canticorum, in Apocalypsim Joannis, adversum omnes haereses, et multa alia. Ad extremum martyrio coronatus est. ### English translation (Claude) Victorinus, bishop of Pettau, did not know Latin as well as Greek; hence his works, great in thought, seem poorer in the arrangement of words. They are these: commentaries on Genesis, on Exodus, on Leviticus, on Isaiah, on Ezekiel, on Habakkuk, on Ecclesiastes, on the Song of Songs, on the Apocalypse of John, against all heresies, and many others. At last he was crowned with martyrdom. ### Extrabiblical texts - Victorinus, Comm. Apoc. (Commentary on the Apocalypse): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 74 (PL 23:681c–682a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-74). ## On Illustrious Men 75 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-75 - Source: PL 23:682a–682b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pamphilus copied Origen's works for the Caesarea library, wrote an Apology for Origen, and was martyred. ### Latin text Pamphilus presbyter, Eusebii Caesariensis episcopi necessarius, tanto Bibliothecae divinae amore flagravit, ut maximam partem Origenis voluminum sua manu descripserit, quae usque hodie in Caesariensi bibliotheca habentur. Sed et in duodecim Prophetas viginti quinque Εξηγήσεων Origenis volumina, manu ejus exarata reperi, quae tanto amplector et servo gaudio, ut Croesi opes habere me credam. Si enim laetitia est, unam epistolam habere martyris, quanto magis tot millia versuum, quae mihi videtur sui sanguinis signasse vestigiis! Scripsit, antequam Eusebius Caesariensis scriberet, Apologeticum pro Origene, et passus est Caesareae Palaestinae sub persecutione Maximini. ### English translation (Claude) Pamphilus, a presbyter, a close friend of Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, burned with such love for the divine library that he copied the greater part of Origen's volumes with his own hand, which are kept to this day in the library at Caesarea. And I found twenty-five volumes of Origen's Expositions on the twelve prophets written in his hand, which I embrace and keep with such joy that I think I have the riches of Croesus. For if it is a joy to have one letter of a martyr, how much more so many thousands of lines, which he seems to me to have signed with the traces of his own blood! Before Eusebius of Caesarea wrote, he wrote an Apology for Origen, and he suffered at Caesarea in Palestine under the persecution of Maximinus. ### Extrabiblical texts - Pamphilus, Apol. Orig. (Apology for Origen): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Jerome later held that the Apology for Origen was by Eusebius alone; here he ascribes it to Pamphilus. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 75 (PL 23:682a–682b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-75). ## On Illustrious Men 76 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-76 - Source: PL 23:682b–683a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pierius of Alexandria, called the younger Origen, an ascetic and eloquent teacher. ### Latin text Pierius, Alexandrinae Ecclesiae presbyter, sub Caro et Diocletiano principibus, eo tempore quo eam Ecclesiam Theonas episcopus regebat, florentissime docuit populos, et in tantam sermonis diversorumque tractatuum, qui usque hodie exstant, venit elegantiam, ut Origenes junior vocaretur. Constat hunc mirae ἀσκήσεως et appetitorem voluntariae paupertatis fuisse, scientissimum et dialecticae et rhetoricae artis, et post persecutionem omne vitae suae tempus Romae fuisse versatum. Hujus est longissimus tractatus de propheta Osee, quem in vigilia Paschae habitum ipse sermo demonstrat. ### English translation (Claude) Pierius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria, under the emperors Carus and Diocletian, at the time when Bishop Theonas governed that church, taught the people with great success, and attained such elegance of speech and of various treatises, which survive to this day, that he was called the younger Origen. It is established that he was a man of wonderful discipline and a lover of voluntary poverty, very skilled in the art of dialectic and rhetoric, and that after the persecution he spent the whole rest of his life at Rome. His is a very long treatise on the prophet Hosea, which, as the discourse itself shows, was delivered on the vigil of Easter. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 76 (PL 23:682b–683a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-76). ## On Illustrious Men 77 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-77 - Source: PL 23:683a–683b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lucian of Antioch, whose recension of the Scriptures bears his name, was martyred at Nicomedia. ### Latin text Lucianus, vir disertissimus, Antiochenae Ecclesiae presbyter, tantum in Scripturarum studio laboravit, ut usque nunc quaedam exemplaria Scripturarum Lucianea nuncupentur. Feruntur ejus de Fide libelli, et breves ad nonnullos epistolae. Passus est Nicomediae ob confessionem Christi, sub persecutione Maximini, sepultusque Helenopoli Bithyniae. ### English translation (Claude) Lucian, a most eloquent man, a presbyter of the church of Antioch, laboured so much in the study of the Scriptures that to this day certain copies of the Scriptures are called Lucianic. Little books of his On Faith and short letters to some people are current. He suffered at Nicomedia for confessing Christ, under the persecution of Maximinus, and was buried at Helenopolis in Bithynia. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 77 (PL 23:683a–683b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-77). ## On Illustrious Men 78 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-78 - Source: PL 23:683b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Phileas of Thmuis wrote in praise of the martyrs and was beheaded. ### Latin text Phileas, de urbe AEgypti quae vocatur Thmuis, nobili genere, et non parvis opibus, suscepto episcopatu, elegantissimum librum de Martyrum laude composuit, et disputatione actorum habita adversum judicem, qui eum sacrificare cogebat, pro Christo capite truncatur, eodem in AEgypto persecutionis auctore, quo Lucianus Nicomediae. ### English translation (Claude) Phileas, from the city of Egypt called Thmuis, of noble family and no small wealth, having taken up the episcopate, composed a most elegant book in praise of the martyrs; and, after a disputation recorded in the acts against the judge who was forcing him to sacrifice, he was beheaded for Christ, under the same author of persecution in Egypt as Lucian at Nicomedia. ### Translation notes - Eusebius, Church History 8.10. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 78 (PL 23:683b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-78). ## On Illustrious Men 79 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-79 - Source: PL 23:683c–684a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arnobius of Sicca wrote Against the Pagans. ### Latin text Arnobius sub Diocletiano principe Siccae apud Africam florentissime rhetoricam docuit, scripsitque adversum gentes, quae vulgo exstant, volumina. ### English translation (Claude) Arnobius, under the emperor Diocletian, taught rhetoric with great success at Sicca in Africa, and wrote volumes against the pagans, which are commonly available. ### Extrabiblical texts - Arnobius, Nat. (Against the Nations): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 79 (PL 23:683c–684a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-79). ## On Illustrious Men 80 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-80 - Source: PL 23:684a–684b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lactantius, Arnobius's pupil, taught at Nicomedia and wrote the Divine Institutes and other works; he tutored Constantine's son Crispus. ### Latin text Firmianus, qui et Lactantius, Arnobii discipulus, sub Diocletiano principe accitus cum Flavio grammatico, cujus de Medicinalibus versu compositi exstant libri, Nicomediae rhetoricam docuit, et penuria discipulorum, ob Graecam videlicet civitatem, ad scribendum se contulit. Habemus ejus Symposium, quod adolescentulus scripsit; Ὁδοιπορικόν de Africa usque Nicomediam, hexametris scriptum versibus, et alium librum, qui inscribitur Grammaticus, et pulcherrimum de Ira Dei, et Institutionum divinarum adversum gentes libros septem, et Επιτομήν ejusdem operis in libro uno acephalo, et ad Asclepiadem libros duos, de Persecutione librum unum, ad Probum Epistolarum libros quatuor, ad Severum Epistolarum libros duos, ad Demetrianum, auditorem suum, Epistolarum libros duos, ad eumdem de Opificio Dei vel Formatione hominis librum unum. Hic extrema senectute magister Caesaris Crispi, filii Constantini, in Gallia fuit, qui postea a patre interfectus est. ### English translation (Claude) Firmianus, also called Lactantius, a disciple of Arnobius, summoned under the emperor Diocletian together with Flavius the grammarian, whose books On Medicine composed in verse survive, taught rhetoric at Nicomedia, and, for lack of pupils, since it was a Greek city, he turned to writing. We have his Symposium, which he wrote as a young man; a Journey from Africa to Nicomedia, written in hexameter verse; another book entitled The Grammarian; a very fine one On the Anger of God; seven books of Divine Institutes against the pagans, and an Epitome of the same work in one headless book; two books to Asclepiades; one book On Persecution; four books of letters to Probus, two books of letters to Severus, two books of letters to his pupil Demetrianus, and to the same one book On the Workmanship of God, or the Formation of Man. In extreme old age he was teacher in Gaul of the Caesar Crispus, son of Constantine, who was afterwards killed by his father. ### Extrabiblical texts - Lactantius, Inst. (Divine Institutes): allusion, high confidence - Lactantius, Epit. (Epitome of the Divine Institutes): allusion, high confidence - Lactantius, Ira (On the Anger of God): allusion, high confidence - Lactantius, Opif. (On the Workmanship of God): allusion, high confidence - Lactantius, Mort. (On the Deaths of the Persecutors): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - 'On Persecution' is probably On the Deaths of the Persecutors. 'Headless' (acephalus) means that its beginning was missing. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 80 (PL 23:684a–684b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-80). ## On Illustrious Men 81 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-81 - Source: PL 23:684b–685b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eusebius of Caesarea's many works are listed, including the Demonstration, the Preparation, the Church History and the Chronicle. ### Latin text Eusebius, Caesareae Palaestinae episcopus in Scripturis divinis studiosissimus, et Bibliothecae divinae, cum Pamphilo martyre, diligentissimus pervestigator, edidit infinita volumina. De quibus haec sunt: Εὐαγγελικῆς Ἀποδείξεως libri viginti, Εὐαγγελικῆς Προπαρασκευῆς libri quindecim, Θεοφανείας libri quinque, Ecclesiasticae Historiae libri decem, Chronicorum Canonum omnimoda Historia, et eorum Επιτομή, et de Evangeliorum Diaphonia, in Isaiam libri decem, et contra Porphyrium, qui eodem tempore scribebat in Sicilia, ut quidam putant, libri triginta, de quibus ad me viginti tantum pervenerunt; Τοπικών liber unus, Ἀπολογίας pro Origene libri sex, de Vita Pamphili libri tres, de Martyribus alia opuscula, et in centum quinquaginta Psalmos eruditissimi Commentarii, et multa alia. Floruit maxime sub Constantino imperatore et Constantio, et ob amicitiam Pamphili martyris ab eo cognomentum sortitus est. ### English translation (Claude) Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, most zealous in the divine Scriptures, and with Pamphilus the martyr a most diligent searcher of the divine library, published countless volumes. Of them these are: twenty books of the Demonstration of the Gospel; fifteen books of the Preparation for the Gospel; five books of the Theophany; ten books of the Church History; the Chronicle of Canons, a universal history, and its Epitome; On the Discrepancy of the Gospels; ten books on Isaiah; and thirty books against Porphyry, who was writing at the same time in Sicily, as some think, of which only twenty have reached me; one book of the Topics; six books of Apology for Origen; three books on the Life of Pamphilus; other short works on the martyrs; and most learned commentaries on the hundred and fifty Psalms, and many others. He flourished chiefly under the emperors Constantine and Constantius, and took his surname from his friendship with Pamphilus the martyr. ### Extrabiblical texts - Eusebius, Dem. ev. (Demonstration of the Gospel): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Praep. ev. (Preparation for the Gospel): allusion, high confidence - Eusebius, Hist. eccl. (Church History): allusion, high confidence - Chron. (Eusebius and Jerome, Chronicle): allusion, high confidence - Pamphilus, Apol. Orig. (Apology for Origen): allusion, high confidence - Porphyry, Porphyry, Chr. (Porphyry, Against the Christians (fragments)): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The 'Topics' is the Onomasticon. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 81 (PL 23:684b–685b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-81). ## On Illustrious Men 82 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-82 - Source: PL 23:685b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Reticius of Autun wrote on the Song of Songs and against Novatian. ### Latin text Rheticius, AEduorum, id est Augustodunensis episcopus, sub Constantino celeberrimae famae habitus est in Galliis. Leguntur ejus Commentarii in Cantica canticorum, et aliud grande volumen adversus Novatianum, nec praeter haec quidquam ejus operum reperi. ### English translation (Claude) Reticius, bishop of the Aedui, that is, of Autun, was considered of very great fame in Gaul under Constantine. His commentaries on the Song of Songs are read, and another large volume against Novatian; besides these I have found nothing of his works. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 82 (PL 23:685b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-82). ## On Illustrious Men 83 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-83 - Source: PL 23:687a–687b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Athanasius of Alexandria, often exiled by the Arians: his works include Against the Pagans and the Life of Antony. ### Latin text Athanasius, Alexandrinae urbis episcopus, multas Arianorum perpessus insidias, ad Constantem Galliarum principem fugit, unde reversus cum litteris, et rursum post mortem ejus fugatus, usque ad Joviniani imperium latuit, a quo recepta Ecclesia, sub Valente moritur. Feruntur ejus adversum Gentes duo libri, et contra Valentem et Ursacium unus, et de Virginitate, et de Persecutionibus Arianorum plurimi, et de Psalmorum titulis, et Historia Antonii monachi vitam continens, et ἑορταστικαὶ epistolae, et multa alia, quae enumerare longum est. ### English translation (Claude) Athanasius, bishop of the city of Alexandria, having suffered many plots of the Arians, fled to Constans, emperor of Gaul; returning from there with letters, and again put to flight after his death, he lay hidden until the reign of Jovian, by whom the church was restored to him, and he died under Valens. There are current two books of his against the pagans, one against Valens and Ursacius, On Virginity, very many On the Persecutions of the Arians, On the Titles of the Psalms, the History containing the life of Antony the monk, festal letters, and many other things which it would take long to list. ### Extrabiblical texts - Athanasius, Gent. (Against the Heathen): allusion, high confidence - Athanasius, Inc. (On the Incarnation): allusion, high confidence - Athanasius, V. Ant. (Life of Antony): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The 'two books against the pagans' are Against the Pagans and On the Incarnation. Jerome's text has 'Jovinianus' for the emperor Jovian. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 83 (PL 23:687a–687b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-83). ## On Illustrious Men 84 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-84 - Source: PL 23:686a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Juvencus put the Gospels into Latin hexameters. ### Latin text Juvencus, nobilissimi generis, Hispanus presbyter, quatuor Evangelia hexametris versibus pene ad verbum transferens, quatuor libros composuit, et nonnulla eodem metro ad Sacramentorum ordinem pertinentia. Floruit sub Constantino principe. ### English translation (Claude) Juvencus, of a very noble family, a Spanish presbyter, composed four books putting the four Gospels almost word for word into hexameter verse, and some things in the same metre concerning the order of the sacraments. He flourished under the emperor Constantine. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 84 (PL 23:686a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-84). ## On Illustrious Men 85 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-85 - Source: PL 23:686b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eustathius of Antioch, exiled for opposing the Arians, wrote against Origen on the Witch of Endor. ### Latin text Eustathius, genere Pamphylius, Sidetes, primum Beroeae Syriae, deinde Antiochiae rexit Ecclesiam, et adversum Arianorum dogma componens multa sub Constantino principe pulsus est in exsilium Trajanopolim Thraciarum, ubi usque hodie conditus est. Exstant ejus volumina de Anima, de Engastrimytho adversum Origenem, et infinitae epistola, quas enumerare longum est. ### English translation (Claude) Eustathius, a Pamphylian by birth, of Side, governed first the church of Beroea in Syria, then that of Antioch; and, composing much against the doctrine of the Arians, he was driven under the emperor Constantine into exile at Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he is buried to this day. His volumes On the Soul, On the Witch of Endor against Origen, and countless letters survive, which it would take long to list. ### Extrabiblical texts - Origen, Engastr. (On the Witch of Endor (Homily on 1 Samuel 28)): allusion, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 85 (PL 23:686b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-85). ## On Illustrious Men 86 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-86 - Source: PL 23:686b–687a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Marcellus of Ancyra, writing against the Arians, was accused of Sabellianism but claimed communion with Julius and Athanasius. ### Latin text Marcellus, Ancyranus episcopus, sub Constantino et Constantio principibus floruit, multaque diversarum Υποθέσεων scripsit volumina, et maxime adversum Arianos. Feruntur contra hunc Asterii et Apollinarii libri, Sabellianae eum haeresis arguentes; sed et Hilarius, in septimo adversum Arianos libro, nominis ejus, quasi haeretici, meminit. Porro ille defendit se non esse dogmatis, cujus accusatur, sed communione Julii et Athanasii, Romanae et Alexandrinae urbis pontificum, se esse munitum. ### English translation (Claude) Marcellus, bishop of Ancyra, flourished under the emperors Constantine and Constantius, and wrote many volumes on various subjects, and especially against the Arians. Books of Asterius and Apollinaris against him are current, accusing him of the Sabellian heresy; and Hilary too, in his seventh book against the Arians, mentions his name as that of a heretic. But he defends himself as not holding the doctrine of which he is accused, but as being protected by the communion of Julius and Athanasius, bishops of the cities of Rome and Alexandria. ### Extrabiblical texts - Hilary, Trin. 7 (On the Trinity): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Hilary's 'seventh book against the Arians' is On the Trinity 7. Chapter 87 is not in the digital text. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 86 (PL 23:686b–687a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-86). ## On Illustrious Men 88 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-88 - Source: PL 23:687b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony the monk wrote seven letters in Coptic. ### Latin text Antonius monachus, cujus vitam Athanasius, Alexandrinae urbis episcopus, insigni volumine prosecutus est, misit AEgyptiaco ad diversa monasteria apostolici sensus sermonisque epistolas septem, quae in Graecam linguam translatae sunt, quarum praecipua est ad Arsenoitas. Floruit Constantino et filiis ejus regnantibus. Vixit annos centum quinque. ### English translation (Claude) Antony the monk, whose life Athanasius, bishop of the city of Alexandria, set out in a notable volume, sent in Egyptian seven letters of apostolic sense and language to various monasteries, which have been translated into Greek; the chief of them is to the Arsenoites. He flourished in the reign of Constantine and his sons. He lived a hundred and five years. ### Extrabiblical texts - Athanasius, V. Ant. (Life of Antony): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 88 (PL 23:687b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-88). ## On Illustrious Men 89 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-89 - Source: PL 23:687c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Basil of Ancyra, a physician, wrote against Marcellus and on virginity, and led the Macedonian party. ### Latin text Basilius, Ancyranus episcopus, artis medicinae, scripsit contra Marcellum, et de Virginitate librum, et nonnulla alia, et sub rege Constantio Macedonianae partis, cum Eustathio Sebasteno, princeps fuit. ### English translation (Claude) Basil, bishop of Ancyra, a physician by art, wrote against Marcellus, and a book On Virginity, and some other things; and under the emperor Constantius he was, with Eustathius of Sebaste, a leader of the Macedonian party. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 89 (PL 23:687c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-89). ## On Illustrious Men 90 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-90 - Source: PL 23:687c–688a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore of Heraclea wrote commentaries on Matthew, John, Paul and the Psalms. ### Latin text Theodorus, Heracliae Thraciarum episcopus, elegantis apertique sermonis, et magis historicae intelligentiae, edidit sub Constantio principe Commentarios in Matthaeum, et in Joannem, et in Apostolum, et in Psalterium. ### English translation (Claude) Theodore, bishop of Heraclea in Thrace, of elegant and clear style and more given to historical interpretation, published under the emperor Constantius commentaries on Matthew, on John, on the Apostle, and on the Psalter. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 90 (PL 23:687c–688a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-90). ## On Illustrious Men 91 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-91 - Source: PL 23:688a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eusebius of Emesa, a popular rhetorical writer, wrote against Jews, pagans and Novatians and on Galatians. ### Latin text Eusebius, Emesenus episcopus, elegantis et rhetorici ingenii, innumerabiles, et qui ad plausum populi pertinent, confecit libros, magisque historiam secutus, ab his qui declamare volunt, studiosissime legitur, e quibus vel praecipui sunt adversum Judaeos, et Gentes, et Novatianos, et ad Galatas libri decem et in Evangelia homiliae breves, sed plurimae. Floruit temporibus Constantii imperatoris, sub quo et mortuus, Antiochiae sepultus est. ### English translation (Claude) Eusebius, bishop of Emesa, of elegant and rhetorical talent, composed countless books, of the kind that win popular applause; and, following the historical sense more, he is read most eagerly by those who wish to declaim. Among them the chief are those against the Jews, the pagans, and the Novatians, ten books on Galatians, and short but very many homilies on the Gospels. He flourished in the times of the emperor Constantius, under whom he also died, and was buried at Antioch. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 91 (PL 23:688a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-91). ## On Illustrious Men 92 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-92 - Source: PL 23:688b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tryphillius of Ledra wrote on the Song of Songs. ### Latin text Triphyllius, Cypri Ledrensis sive Leucotheon episcopus, eloquentissimus suae aetatis, et sub rege Constantio celeberrimus fuit. Legi ejus in Cantica canticorum Commentarios. Et multa alia composuisse fertur quae in nostras manus minime pervenerunt. ### English translation (Claude) Tryphillius, bishop of Ledra or Leucotheon in Cyprus, the most eloquent man of his age, was very famous under the emperor Constantius. I have read his commentaries on the Song of Songs. He is said to have composed many other things, which have not come into our hands at all. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 92 (PL 23:688b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-92). ## On Illustrious Men 93 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-93 - Source: PL 23:688b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Donatus founded the Donatist schism in Africa, charging Catholics with surrendering the Scriptures. ### Latin text Donatus, a quo Donatiani per Africam sub Constantio Constantinoque principibus pullulaverunt, asserens a nostris Scripturas in persecutione ethnicis traditas, totam pene Africam et maxime Numidiam sua persuasione decepit. Exstant ejus multa ad suam haeresim pertinentia opuscula, et de Spiritu sancto liber, Ariano dogmati congruens. ### English translation (Claude) Donatus, from whom the Donatists sprang up throughout Africa under the emperors Constantius and Constantine, asserting that the Scriptures had been handed over to the pagans by our people in the persecution, deceived almost all Africa, and especially Numidia, by his persuasion. Many short works of his belonging to his heresy survive, and a book On the Holy Spirit agreeing with the Arian doctrine. ### Translation notes - Jerome's account is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 93 (PL 23:688b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-93). ## On Illustrious Men 94 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-94 - Source: PL 23:688c–689a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Asterius the Arian wrote commentaries on Romans, the Gospels and the Psalms. ### Latin text Asterius, Arianae philosophus factionis, scripsit, regnante Constantio, in Epistolam ad Romanos, et in Evangelia et Psalmos Commentarios, et multa alia, quae a suae partis hominibus studiosissime leguntur. ### English translation (Claude) Asterius, a philosopher of the Arian faction, wrote in the reign of Constantius commentaries on the letter to the Romans, on the Gospels and the Psalms, and many other things, which are read most eagerly by men of his party. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 94 (PL 23:688c–689a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-94). ## On Illustrious Men 95 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-95 - Source: PL 23:689a–689b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lucifer of Cagliari, exiled for defending Nicaea, wrote boldly against Constantius. ### Latin text Lucifer, Caralitanus episcopus, cum Pancratio et Hilario, Romanae Ecclesiae clericis, ad Constantium imperatorem a Liberio episcopo pro fide legatus missus, cum nollet sub nomine Athanasii Nicaenam damnare fidem, in Palaestinam relegatus, mirae constantiae et praeparati animi ad martyrium, contra Constantium imperatorem scripsit librum, eique legendum misit, ac non multo post, sub Juliano principe, reversus Caralis, Valentiniano regnante, obiit. ### English translation (Claude) Lucifer, bishop of Cagliari, sent with Pancratius and Hilary, clerics of the Roman church, as envoy for the faith by Bishop Liberius to the emperor Constantius, since he would not condemn the Nicene faith under the name of Athanasius, was banished to Palestine; of wonderful constancy and a mind prepared for martyrdom, he wrote a book against the emperor Constantius and sent it to him to read. Not long afterwards, under the emperor Julian, he returned to Cagliari and died in the reign of Valentinian. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 95 (PL 23:689a–689b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-95). ## On Illustrious Men 96 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-96 - Source: PL 23:689b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eusebius of Vercelli, exiled for the faith, translated Eusebius of Caesarea on the Psalms. ### Latin text Eusebius, natione Sardus, et ex lectore urbis Romanae, Vercellensis episcopus, ob confessionem fidei a Constantio principe Scythopolim et inde Cappadociam relegatus, sub Juliano imperatore ad Ecclesiam reversus, edidit in Psalmos Commentarios Eusebii Caesariensis, quos de Graeco in Latinum verterat. Mortuus est Valentiniano et Valente regnantibus. ### English translation (Claude) Eusebius, a Sardinian by birth, from a reader of the city of Rome made bishop of Vercelli, banished by the emperor Constantius for confessing the faith to Scythopolis and thence to Cappadocia, returned to his church under the emperor Julian, and published the commentaries of Eusebius of Caesarea on the Psalms, which he had translated from Greek into Latin. He died in the reign of Valentinian and Valens. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 96 (PL 23:689b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-96). ## On Illustrious Men 97 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-97 - Source: PL 23:689c–690a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Fortunatianus of Aquileia wrote on the Gospels and induced Liberius to sign an Arian formula. ### Latin text Fortunatianus, natione Afer, Aquileiensis episcopus, imperante Constantio, in Evangelia, titulis ordinatis, brevi et rustico sermone scripsit Commentarios: et in hoc habetur detestabilis, quod Liberium, Romanae urbis episcopum, pro fide ad exsilium pergentem, primus sollicitavit ac fregit, et ad subscriptionem haereseos compulit. ### English translation (Claude) Fortunatianus, an African by birth, bishop of Aquileia, in the reign of Constantius wrote commentaries on the Gospels, with ordered headings, in a brief and rustic style; and he is held detestable in this, that when Liberius, bishop of the city of Rome, was going into exile for the faith, he was the first to tempt and break him, and drove him to sign the heresy. ### Translation notes - Jerome's charge against Fortunatianus and Liberius is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 97 (PL 23:689c–690a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-97). ## On Illustrious Men 98 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-98 - Source: PL 23:690a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Acacius of Caesarea wrote on Ecclesiastes and had Felix made bishop of Rome in place of Liberius. ### Latin text Acacius, quem, quia luscus erat, Μονόφθαλμον nuncupabant, Caesariensis Ecclesiae in Palaestina episcopus, elaboravit in Ecclesiasten decem et septem volumina, et Συμμίκτων ζητημάτων sex, et multos praeterea diversosque tractatus. In tantum autem sub Constantio imperatore claruit, ut in Liberii locum Romae Felicem episcopum constitueret. ### English translation (Claude) Acacius, whom, because he was one-eyed, they called Monophthalmos, bishop of the church of Caesarea in Palestine, worked out seventeen volumes on Ecclesiastes and six of Miscellaneous Questions, and many diverse treatises besides. He was so famous under the emperor Constantius that he set up Felix as bishop at Rome in place of Liberius. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 98 (PL 23:690a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-98). ## On Illustrious Men 99 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-99 - Source: PL 23:690b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serapion of Thmuis, friend of Antony, wrote against Mani and on the Psalms. ### Latin text Serapion, Thmueos episcopus, qui ob elegantiam ingenii cognomen Scholastici meruit, charus Antonii monachi, edidit adversum Manichaeum egregium librum, et de Psalmorum titulis alium, et ad diversos utiles epistolas, et sub Constantio principe etiam in confessione inclytus fuit. ### English translation (Claude) Serapion, bishop of Thmuis, who because of the elegance of his talent earned the surname Scholasticus, dear to Antony the monk, published an excellent book against Mani, another on the titles of the Psalms, and useful letters to various people; and under the emperor Constantius he was also renowned as a confessor. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 99 (PL 23:690b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-99). ## On Illustrious Men 100 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-100 - Source: PL 23:690b–691a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hilary of Poitiers, exiled to Phrygia, wrote twelve books against the Arians (On the Trinity), On the Synods, and commentaries on the Psalms and Matthew. ### Latin text Hilarius, urbis Pictavorum Aquitaniae episcopus, factione Saturnini Arelatensis episcopi, de synodo Biterrensi in Phrygiam relegatus, duodecim adversus Arianos confecit libros, et alium librum de Synodis, quem ad Galliarum episcopos scripsit, et in Psalmos Commentarios, primum videlicet et secundum, et a quinquagesimo primo usque ad sexagesimum secundum, et a centesimo decimo octavo usque ad extremum, in quo opere imitatus Origenem, nonnulla etiam de suo addidit. Est ejus et ad Constantium libellus, quem viventi Constantinopoli porrexerat et alius in Constantium, quem post mortem ejus scripsit, et liber adversum Valentem et Ursacium, historiam Ariminensis et Seleuciensis synodi continens: et ad praefectum Salustium, sive contra Dioscorum, et liber Hymnorum et Mysteriorum alius, et Commentarii in Matthaeum, et tractatus in Job, quos de Graeco Origenis ad sensum transtulit, et alius elegans libellus contra Auxentium, et nonnullae ad diversos epistolae. Aiunt quidam, scripsisse eum et in Cantica canticorum; sed a nobis hoc opus ignoratur. Mortuus est Pictavis, Valentiniano et Valente regnantibus. ### English translation (Claude) Hilary, bishop of the city of Poitiers in Aquitaine, banished to Phrygia by the faction of Saturninus, bishop of Arles, from the synod of Béziers, composed twelve books against the Arians, and another book On the Synods, which he wrote to the bishops of Gaul, and commentaries on the Psalms, namely on the first and second, from the fifty-first to the sixty-second, and from the hundred and eighteenth to the end; in this work he imitated Origen, but also added some things of his own. There is also a little book of his to Constantius, which he presented to him while he was alive at Constantinople, and another against Constantius, which he wrote after his death; and a book against Valens and Ursacius containing the history of the synods of Ariminum and Seleucia; and to the prefect Sallustius, or against Dioscorus; and a book of hymns and another of mysteries; and commentaries on Matthew, and treatises on Job, which he translated by sense from the Greek of Origen; and another elegant little book against Auxentius, and some letters to various people. Some say that he also wrote on the Song of Songs, but this work is unknown to us. He died at Poitiers in the reign of Valentinian and Valens. ### Extrabiblical texts - Hilary, Trin. (On the Trinity): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 100 (PL 23:690b–691a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-100). ## On Illustrious Men 101 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-101 - Source: PL 23:691b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Marius Victorinus, a convert in old age, wrote obscure books against Arius and commentaries on Paul. ### Latin text Victorinus, natione Afer, Romae sub Constantio principe rhetoricam docuit, et in extrema senectute, Christi se tradens fidei, scripsit adversus Arium libros more dialectico valde obscuros, qui nisi ab eruditis non intelliguntur, et Commentarios in Apostolum. ### English translation (Claude) Victorinus, an African by birth, taught rhetoric at Rome under the emperor Constantius, and in extreme old age, giving himself to the faith of Christ, wrote books against Arius in dialectical style, very obscure, which are understood only by the learned, and commentaries on the Apostle. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 101 (PL 23:691b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-101). ## On Illustrious Men 102 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-102 - Source: PL 23:691b–692a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Titus of Bostra wrote against the Manichees. ### Latin text Titus, Bostrenus episcopus, sub Juliano et Joviano principibus, fortes adversum Manichaeos scripsit libros, et nonnulla volumina alia. Moritur autem sub Valente. ### English translation (Claude) Titus, bishop of Bostra, under the emperors Julian and Jovian, wrote powerful books against the Manichees and some other volumes. He died under Valens. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 102 (PL 23:691b–692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-102). ## On Illustrious Men 103 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-103 - Source: PL 23:692a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Damasus of Rome wrote many short poems. ### Latin text Damasus, Romanae urbis episcopus, elegans in versibus componendis ingenium habuit, multaque et brevia metro edidit, et prope octogenarius sub Theodosio principe mortuus est. ### English translation (Claude) Damasus, bishop of the city of Rome, had an elegant talent for composing verses, and published many short works in metre; he died, nearly eighty years old, under the emperor Theodosius. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 103 (PL 23:692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-103). ## On Illustrious Men 104 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-104 - Source: PL 23:692a–692b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Apollinaris of Laodicea wrote many works on Scripture and thirty books against Porphyry. ### Latin text Apollinarius, Laodicenus Syriae episcopus, patre presbytero, magis grammaticis in adolescentia operam dedit, et postea in sanctas Scripturas innumerabilia scribens volumina, sub Theodosio imperatore obiit. Exstant ejus adversus Porphyrium triginta libri, qui inter caetera ejus opera vel maxime probantur. ### English translation (Claude) Apollinaris, bishop of Laodicea in Syria, whose father was a presbyter, devoted himself rather to grammar in his youth, and afterwards, writing countless volumes on the holy Scriptures, died under the emperor Theodosius. His thirty books against Porphyry survive, which are especially approved among his other works. ### Extrabiblical texts - Porphyry, Porphyry, Chr. (Porphyry, Against the Christians (fragments)): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 104 (PL 23:692a–692b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-104). ## On Illustrious Men 105 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-105 - Source: PL 23:692b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gregory of Elvira wrote treatises and On Faith. ### Latin text Gregorius Baeticus, Eliberi episcopus usque ad extremam senectutem diversos mediocri sermone tractatus composuit, et de Fide elegantem librum, qui hodieque superesse dicitur. ### English translation (Claude) Gregory, of Baetica, bishop of Elvira, composed up to extreme old age various treatises in a middling style, and an elegant book On Faith; he is said to be still living today. ### Translation notes - 'He is said to be still living' (qui hodieque superesse dicitur) may also be read of the book: 'which is said to survive today'. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 105 (PL 23:692b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-105). ## On Illustrious Men 106 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-106 - Source: PL 23:692b–692c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pacian of Barcelona wrote The Stag and against the Novatians. ### Latin text Pacianus, in Pyrenaei jugis Barcilonae episcopus, castitate et eloquentia, et tam vita quam sermone clarus, scripsit varia opuscula, de quibus est Cervus, et contra Novatianos. Sub Theodosio principe, jam ultima senectute, mortuus est. ### English translation (Claude) Pacian, bishop of Barcelona in the Pyrenees, famous for chastity and eloquence, and as much for his life as for his speech, wrote various short works, among which is The Stag, and against the Novatians. He died under the emperor Theodosius, already in extreme old age. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 106 (PL 23:692b–692c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-106). ## On Illustrious Men 107 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-107 - Source: PL 23:693a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Photinus of Sirmium, disciple of Marcellus, revived Ebionite teaching and was deposed. ### Latin text Photinus, de Gallograecia, Marcelli discipulus, Sirmii episcopus ordinatus, Hebionis haeresim instaurare conatus est, postea a Valentiniano principe pulsus Ecclesia, plura scripsit volumina, in quibus vel praecipua sunt contra Gentes, et ad Valentinianum libri. ### English translation (Claude) Photinus, from Galatia, a disciple of Marcellus, ordained bishop of Sirmium, tried to revive the heresy of Ebion; afterwards, driven from his church by the emperor Valentinian, he wrote many volumes, among which the chief are against the pagans and books to Valentinian. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 107 (PL 23:693a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-107). ## On Illustrious Men 108 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-108 - Source: PL 23:693a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Phoebadius of Agen wrote against the Arians. ### Latin text Phoebadius, Agenni Galliarum episcopus, edidit contra Arianos librum. Dicuntur et ejus alia esse opuscula, quae necdum legi. Vivit usque hodie decrepita senectute. ### English translation (Claude) Phoebadius, bishop of Agen in Gaul, published a book against the Arians. Other short works are also said to be his, which I have not yet read. He is still living, in decrepit old age. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 108 (PL 23:693a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-108). ## On Illustrious Men 109 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-109 - Source: PL 23:693b–693d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Didymus the Blind of Alexandria, learned despite blindness, wrote many commentaries and On the Holy Spirit, translated by Jerome. ### Latin text Didymus, Alexandrinus, captus a parva aetate oculis, et ob id elementorum quoque ignarus, tantum miraculum sui omnibus praebuit, ut dialecticam quoque, et geometriam, quae vel maxime visu indiget, usque ad perfectum didicerit. Is plura opera et nobilia conscripsit, commentarios in Psalmos omnes, commentarios in Evangelium Matthaei et Joannis, et de Dogmatibus, et contra Arianos libros duos, et de Spiritu sancto librum unum, quem ego in Latinum verti: in Isaiam tomos decem et octo, in Osee, ad me scribens, commentariorum libros tres, et in Zachariam, meo rogatu, libros quinque, et commentarios in Job, et infinita alia quae digerere proprii indicis est. Vivit usque hodie, et octogesimum tertium aetatis excessit annum. ### English translation (Claude) Didymus of Alexandria, deprived of his sight from an early age and so ignorant even of the letters of the alphabet, showed himself such a wonder to all that he learned perfectly even dialectic and geometry, which need sight above all. He wrote many noble works: commentaries on all the Psalms, commentaries on the Gospels of Matthew and John, On Doctrines, two books against the Arians, one book On the Holy Spirit, which I translated into Latin; eighteen tomes on Isaiah; three books of commentaries on Hosea, addressed to me; five books on Zechariah at my request; commentaries on Job; and countless other things which would need an index of their own. He is still living and has passed his eighty-third year. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 109 (PL 23:693b–693d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-109). ## On Illustrious Men 110 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-110 - Source: PL 23:694a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Optatus of Milevis wrote six books against the Donatists. ### Latin text Optatus Afer, episcopus Milevitanus, ex parte catholica, scripsit Valentiniano et Valente principibus, adversum Donatianae partis calumniam libros sex, in quibus asserit crimen Donatianorum in nos falso retorqueri. ### English translation (Claude) Optatus, an African, bishop of Milevis, of the catholic party, wrote under the emperors Valentinian and Valens six books against the calumny of the Donatist party, in which he asserts that the charge of the Donatists is falsely turned back against us. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 110 (PL 23:694a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-110). ## On Illustrious Men 111 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-111 - Source: PL 23:694a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Aquilius Severus wrote an autobiographical work in prose and verse. ### Latin text Aquilius Severus, in Hispania, de genere illius Severi ad quem Lactantii duo epistolarum scribuntur libri, composuit volumen, quasi ὁδοιπορικὸν totius suae vitae statum continens tam prosa quam versibus, quod vocavit Καταστροφήν, sive Πείραν, et sub Valentiniano principe obiit. ### English translation (Claude) Aquilius Severus, in Spain, of the family of that Severus to whom Lactantius's two books of letters are written, composed a volume, a kind of journey containing the state of his whole life, in both prose and verse, which he called Katastrophe, or Peira, and died under the emperor Valentinian. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 111 (PL 23:694a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-111). ## On Illustrious Men 112 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-112 - Source: PL 23:694b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cyril of Jerusalem, often exiled, wrote the Catecheses. ### Latin text Cyrillus, Hierosolymae episcopus, saepe pulsus Ecclesia, et receptus, ad extremum sub Theodosio principe octo annis inconcussum episcopatum tenuit. Exstant ejus κατηχήσεις, quas in adolescentia composuit. ### English translation (Claude) Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem, often driven from his church and received back, at last held his episcopate undisturbed for eight years under the emperor Theodosius. His Catecheses survive, which he composed in his youth. ### Extrabiblical texts - Cyril of Jerusalem, Cat. (Catechetical Lectures): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 112 (PL 23:694b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-112). ## On Illustrious Men 113 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-113 - Source: PL 23:694b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Euzoius of Caesarea restored the library of Origen and Pamphilus on parchment. ### Latin text Euzoius, apud Thespesium rhetorem, cum Gregorio Nazianzeno episcopo adolescens Caesareae eruditus est, et ejusdem postea urbis episcopus plurimo labore corruptam jam Bibliothecam Origenis et Pamphili in membranis instaurare conatus est. Ad extremum sub Theodosio principe Ecclesia pulsus est. Feruntur ejus varii multiplicesque tractatus, quos nosse perfacile est. ### English translation (Claude) Euzoius, as a young man, was educated at Caesarea under the rhetorician Thespesius together with Gregory, the bishop of Nazianzus; afterwards bishop of the same city, he tried with great labour to restore on parchment the library of Origen and Pamphilus, which had already decayed. At last he was driven from the church under the emperor Theodosius. Various and many treatises of his are current, which are very easy to find. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 113 (PL 23:694b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-113). ## On Illustrious Men 114 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-114 - Source: PL 23:694c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Epiphanius of Salamis wrote against all heresies and is still writing in old age. ### Latin text Epiphanius, Cypri Salaminae episcopus, scripsit adversum omnes haereses libros, et multa alia, quae ab eruditis propter res, a simplicioribus propter verba lectitantur. Superest usque hodie, et in extrema jam senectute varia cudit opera. ### English translation (Claude) Epiphanius, bishop of Salamis in Cyprus, wrote books against all heresies, and many other things, which are read by the learned for their matter and by simpler people for their words. He is still living, and in his extreme old age is turning out various works. ### Extrabiblical texts - Epiphanius, Pan. (Panarion (Medicine Chest Against Heresies), Haer. 1-64): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 114 (PL 23:694c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-114). ## On Illustrious Men 115 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-115 - Source: PL 23:694c–695a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ephrem of Edessa wrote much in Syriac, read in some churches after Scripture. ### Latin text Ephraem, Edessenae Ecclesiae diaconus, multa Syro sermone composuit, et ad tantam venit claritudinem, ut post lectionem Scripturarum publice in quibusdam ecclesiis ejus scripta recitentur. Legi ejus de Spiritu sancto Graecum volumen, quod quidam de Syriaca lingua verterant, et acumen sublimis ingenii, etiam in translatione, cognovi. Decessit sub Valente principe. ### English translation (Claude) Ephraem, a deacon of the church of Edessa, composed much in Syriac, and came to such fame that in some churches his writings are recited publicly after the reading of the Scriptures. I have read his volume On the Holy Spirit in Greek, which someone had translated from the Syriac, and I recognized the keenness of his lofty genius even in translation. He died under the emperor Valens. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 115 (PL 23:694c–695a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-115). ## On Illustrious Men 116 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-116 - Source: PL 23:695a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Basil of Caesarea wrote against Eunomius, On the Holy Spirit, and the Hexaemeron homilies. ### Latin text Basilius, Caesareae Cappadociae, quae prius Mazaca vocabatur, episcopus, egregios contra Eunomium elaboravit libros, et de Spiritu sancto volumen, et in Hexaemeron homilias novem, et Ασκητικά, et breves variosque tractatus. Moritur imperante Gratiano. ### English translation (Claude) Basil, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, which was formerly called Mazaca, worked out excellent books against Eunomius, a volume On the Holy Spirit, nine homilies on the Hexaemeron, the Asceticon, and brief and various treatises. He died in the reign of Gratian. ### Extrabiblical texts - Basil, Spir. (On the Holy Spirit): allusion, high confidence - Basil, Hex. (Homilies on the Hexaemeron): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 116 (PL 23:695a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-116). ## On Illustrious Men 117 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-117 - Source: PL 23:695b–695c - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gregory of Nazianzus, Jerome's teacher, wrote orations, poems, and works against Eunomius and Julian, and on the Holy Spirit. ### Latin text Gregorius, primum Sasimorum, deinde Nazianzenus episcopus, vir eloquentissimus, praeceptor meus, quo Scripturas explanante didici, ad triginta millia versuum omnia opera sua composuit. E quibus illa sunt: de morte fratris Caesarii, Περὶ Φιλοπτωχίας, laudes Machabaeorum, laudes Cypriani, laudes Athanasii, laudes Maximi philosophi post exsilium reversi, quem falso nomine quidam Heronis superscripserunt (quia est et alius liber vituperationem ejusdem Maximi continens; quasi non licuerit eumdem et laudare et vituperare pro tempore); et liber, hexametro versu, Virginitatis et Nuptiarum contra se disserentium; adversum Eunomium liber unus, de Spiritu sancto liber unus, contra Julianum imperatorem libri duo. Secutus est autem Polemonem dicendi charactere, vivoque se episcopum in loco suo ordinans, ruri vitam monachi exercuit. Decessitque ante hoc ferme triennium sub Theodosio principe. ### English translation (Claude) Gregory, first bishop of Sasima, then of Nazianzus, a most eloquent man, my teacher, under whose exposition of the Scriptures I learned, composed all his works to the extent of thirty thousand lines. Among them are these: On the Death of his Brother Caesarius; On Love of the Poor; praises of the Maccabees; praises of Cyprian; praises of Athanasius; praises of Maximus the philosopher on his return from exile, which some have headed falsely with the name of Hero (because there is another book containing an attack on the same Maximus; as if it were not permitted to praise and to blame the same man according to the time); and a book in hexameter verse, a debate between Virginity and Marriage; one book against Eunomius; one book On the Holy Spirit; two books against the emperor Julian. He followed Polemon in style of speaking; and, ordaining a bishop in his place while he was still alive, he lived the life of a monk in the country. He died about three years ago, under the emperor Theodosius. ### Extrabiblical texts - Gregory of Nazianzus, Or. Theol. (Theological Oration 1: Against the Eunomians, as a Preliminary Discourse): allusion, medium confidence - Gregory of Nazianzus, Or. Theol. (Theological Oration 5: On the Holy Spirit): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The book against Eunomius and the one on the Holy Spirit are among the Theological Orations (27–31). ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 117 (PL 23:695b–695c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-117). ## On Illustrious Men 118 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-118 - Source: PL 23:696a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lucius, Arian bishop of Alexandria, wrote Easter letters. ### Latin text Lucius, post Athanasium Arianae partis episcopus, usque ad Theodosium principem, a quo et pulsus est, Alexandrinam Ecclesiam tenuit. Exstant ejus solemnes de Pascha epistolae et pauci variarum hypotheseon libelli. ### English translation (Claude) Lucius, bishop of the Arian party after Athanasius, held the church of Alexandria until the emperor Theodosius, by whom he was also driven out. His solemn Easter letters survive and a few little books on various subjects. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 118 (PL 23:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-118). ## On Illustrious Men 119 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-119 - Source: PL 23:696a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Diodore of Tarsus wrote commentaries on Paul in the manner of Eusebius of Emesa. ### Latin text Diodorus, Tarsensis episcopus, dum Antiochiae esset presbyter, magis claruit. Exstant ejus in Apostolum commentarii, et multa alia, ad Eusebii magis Emiseni characterem pertinentia, cujus cum sensum secutus sit, eloquentiam imitari non potuit, propter ignorantiam saecularium litterarum. ### English translation (Claude) Diodorus, bishop of Tarsus, was more famous while he was a presbyter at Antioch. His commentaries on the Apostle survive, and many other things, in the manner rather of Eusebius of Emesa, whose thought he followed but whose eloquence he could not imitate because of his ignorance of secular letters. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 119 (PL 23:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-119). ## On Illustrious Men 120 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-120 - Source: PL 23:696b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eunomius, the outspoken Arian, has been answered by Apollinaris, Didymus, Basil and the two Gregories. ### Latin text Eunomius, Arianae partis, Cyzicenus episcopus, in apertam haereseos suae prorumpens blasphemiam, ut quod illi tegunt, iste publice fateretur, usque hodie vivere dicitur in Cappadocia, et multa contra Ecclesiam scribere. Responderunt ei Apollinarius, Didymus, Basilius Caesariensis, Gregorius Nazianzenus, et Gregorius Nyssenus. ### English translation (Claude) Eunomius, of the Arian party, bishop of Cyzicus, breaking out into the open blasphemy of his heresy, so that what they conceal he publicly confesses, is said to be still alive in Cappadocia and to write much against the church. Apollinaris, Didymus, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa have answered him. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 120 (PL 23:696b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-120). ## On Illustrious Men 121 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-121 - Source: PL 23:696b–696d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Priscillian of Avila, executed at Trier, is accused by some of Gnosticism and defended by others. ### Latin text Priscillianus, Abilae episcopus, qui factione Hydatii et Ithacii Treveris a Maximo tyranno caesus est, edidit multa opuscula, de quibus ad nos aliqua pervenerunt. Hic usque hodie a nonnullis Gnosticae, id est Basilidis et Marci, de quibus Irenaeus scripsit, haereseos accusatur, defendentibus aliis, non ita eum sensisse, ut arguitur. ### English translation (Claude) Priscillian, bishop of Avila, who through the faction of Hydatius and Ithacius was put to death at Trier by the usurper Maximus, published many short works, some of which have reached us. To this day he is accused by some of the Gnostic heresy, that is, of Basilides and Marcus, of whom Irenaeus wrote, while others defend him as not having held as he is charged. ### Extrabiblical texts - Irenaeus, Haer. 1 (Against Heresies): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Jerome reports both views without deciding. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 121 (PL 23:696b–696d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-121). ## On Illustrious Men 122 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-122 - Source: PL 23:697a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Latronianus, a poet, was executed with Priscillian. ### Latin text Latronianus, provinciae Hispaniae, valde eruditus, et in metrico opere veteribus comparandus, caesus est et ipse Treveris cum Priscilliano, Felicissimo, Juliano, Euchrotia, ejusdem factionis auctoribus. Exstant ejus ingenii opera, diversis metris edita. ### English translation (Claude) Latronianus, of the province of Spain, very learned and comparable to the ancients in verse, was himself also put to death at Trier with Priscillian, Felicissimus, Julian, and Euchrotia, leaders of the same faction. Works of his genius survive, published in various metres. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 122 (PL 23:697a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-122). ## On Illustrious Men 123 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-123 - Source: PL 23:697a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tiberianus, accused with Priscillian, wrote an apology but later married off his consecrated daughter. ### Latin text Tiberianus, Beticus, scripsit pro suspicione, qua cum Priscilliano accusabatur, haereseos, apologeticum tumenti compositoque sermone; sed post suorum caedem, taedio victus exsilii, mutavit propositum, et juxta sanctam Scripturam, canis reversus ad vomitum suum, filiam, devotam Christo virginem, matrimonio copulavit. ### English translation (Claude) Tiberianus of Baetica wrote, against the suspicion of heresy under which he was accused with Priscillian, an apology in a swollen and artificial style; but after the killing of his associates, overcome by the weariness of exile, he changed his resolve, and, according to holy Scripture, the dog returning to its vomit, he married off his daughter, a virgin devoted to Christ. ### Scripture references - Prov 26:11: allusion, high confidence - 2 Pet 2:22: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Prov 26:11; 2 Pet 2:22. Jerome's judgment is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 123 (PL 23:697a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-123). ## On Illustrious Men 124 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-124 - Source: PL 23:697b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Jerome declines to judge the living Ambrose. ### Latin text Ambrosius, Mediolanensis episcopus, usque in praesentem diem scribit, de quo, quia superest, meum judicium subtraham, ne in alterutram partem aut adulatio in me reprehendatur, aut veritas. ### English translation (Claude) Ambrose, bishop of Milan, is still writing to the present day; since he is still alive, I will withhold my judgment of him, lest either flattery or truth should be blamed in me on one side or the other. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 124 (PL 23:697b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-124). ## On Illustrious Men 125 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-125 - Source: PL 23:697b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Evagrius of Antioch translated Athanasius's Life of Antony into Latin. ### Latin text Evagrius, Antiochiae episcopus, acris ac ferventis ingenii, cum adhuc esset presbyter, diversarum hypotheseon tractatus mihi legit, quos necdum edidit; Vitam quoque beati Antonii de Graeco Athanasii in sermonem nostrum transtulit. ### English translation (Claude) Evagrius, bishop of Antioch, of keen and fervent genius, while he was still a presbyter read to me treatises on various subjects which he has not yet published; he also translated the Life of blessed Antony from the Greek of Athanasius into our language. ### Extrabiblical texts - Athanasius, V. Ant. (Life of Antony): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 125 (PL 23:697b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-125). ## On Illustrious Men 126 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-126 - Source: PL 23:697b–697d - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ambrose of Alexandria wrote against Apollinaris and on Job. ### Latin text Ambrosius Alexandrinus, auditor Didymi, scripsit adversum Apollinarium volumen multorum versuum de dogmatibus, et ut ad me nuper quodam narrante perlatum est, Commentarium in Job, qui usque hodie superest. ### English translation (Claude) Ambrose of Alexandria, a hearer of Didymus, wrote against Apollinaris a volume of many lines On Doctrines, and, as was lately reported to me by someone, a commentary on Job, which survives to this day. ### Translation notes - 'Which survives to this day' (qui usque hodie superest) may also be read of Ambrose: 'who is still living'. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 126 (PL 23:697b–697d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-126). ## On Illustrious Men 127 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-127 - Source: PL 23:698a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Maximus the philosopher wrote On Faith against the Arians. ### Latin text Maximus Philosophus, natus Alexandriae, Constantinopoli episcopus ordinatus est, et pulsus, insignem de Fide adversus Arianos scripsit librum, quem Mediolani Gratiano principi dedit. ### English translation (Claude) Maximus the philosopher, born at Alexandria, was ordained bishop at Constantinople and driven out; he wrote a notable book On Faith against the Arians, which he gave to the emperor Gratian at Milan. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 127 (PL 23:698a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-127). ## On Illustrious Men 128 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-128 - Source: PL 23:698a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gregory of Nyssa read his books against Eunomius to Jerome and Gregory of Nazianzus. ### Latin text Gregorius, Nyssenus episcopus, frater Basilii Caesariensis, ante paucos annos mihi et Gregorio Nazianzeno contra Eunomium legit libros, qui et multa alia scripsisse et scribere dicitur. ### English translation (Claude) Gregory, bishop of Nyssa, brother of Basil of Caesarea, a few years ago read to me and to Gregory of Nazianzus his books against Eunomius; he is said to have written and to be writing many other things too. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 128 (PL 23:698a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-128). ## On Illustrious Men 129 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-129 - Source: PL 23:698a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John (Chrysostom) of Antioch: Jerome has read only his On the Priesthood. ### Latin text Joannes, Antiochenae Ecclesiae presbyter, Eusebii Emiseni Diodorique sectator, multa componere dicitur, de quibus περὶ Ἱερωσύνης tantum legi. ### English translation (Claude) John, a presbyter of the church of Antioch, a follower of Eusebius of Emesa and Diodorus, is said to be composing much, of which I have read only On the Priesthood. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 129 (PL 23:698a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-129). ## On Illustrious Men 130 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-130 - Source: PL 23:698a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gelasius of Caesarea writes but does not publish. ### Latin text Gelasius, Caesareae Palaestinae post Euzoium episcopus, accurati limatique sermonis, fertur quaedam scribere, sed celare. ### English translation (Claude) Gelasius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine after Euzoius, of an accurate and polished style, is said to write certain things, but to conceal them. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 130 (PL 23:698a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-130). ## On Illustrious Men 131 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-131 - Source: PL 23:698a–699a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theotimus of Tomi wrote short dialogue-like treatises. ### Latin text Theotimus, Scythiae Tomorum episcopus, in morem dialogorum et veteris eloquentiae breves commaticosque tractatus edidit. Audio eum et alia scribere. ### English translation (Claude) Theotimus, bishop of Tomi in Scythia, published short and pointed treatises in the manner of dialogues and of ancient eloquence. I hear that he is writing other things too. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 131 (PL 23:698a–699a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-131). ## On Illustrious Men 132 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-132 - Source: PL 23:699a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dexter, to whom this book is dedicated, wrote a universal history. ### Latin text Dexter, Paciani, de quo supra dixi, filius, clarus apud saeculum et Christi fidei deditus, fertur ad me omnimodam historiam texuisse, quam necdum legi. ### English translation (Claude) Dexter, son of Pacian, of whom I spoke above, famous in the world and devoted to the faith of Christ, is said to have composed a universal history, dedicated to me, which I have not yet read. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 132 (PL 23:699a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-132). ## On Illustrious Men 133 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-133 - Source: PL 23:699a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Amphilochius of Iconium wrote on the divinity of the Holy Spirit. ### Latin text Amphilochius, Iconii episcopus, nuper mihi librum legit de Spiritu sancto, quod Deus, et quod adorandus, quodque et omnipotens sit. ### English translation (Claude) Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium, recently read to me a book On the Holy Spirit, that he is God, that he is to be worshipped, and that he is almighty. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 133 (PL 23:699a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-133). ## On Illustrious Men 134 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-134 - Source: PL 23:699b - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sophronius translated several of Jerome's works and his versions of the Psalms and Prophets into Greek. ### Latin text Sophronius, vir apprime eruditus, laudes Bethlehem adhuc puer, et nuper de subversione Serapis insignem librum composuit: de Virginitate quoque ad Eustochium, et Vitam Hilarionis monachi, opuscula mea in Graecum eleganti sermone transtulit: Psalterium quoque et Prophetas, quos nos de Hebraeo in Latinum vertimus. ### English translation (Claude) Sophronius, a man of excellent learning, composed while still a boy praises of Bethlehem, and recently a notable book on the overthrow of Serapis; he has also translated into Greek in elegant style my little works On Virginity, to Eustochium, and the Life of Hilarion the monk; and also the Psalter and the Prophets, which we have translated from Hebrew into Latin. ### Extrabiblical texts - Jerome, Vit. Hil. (Life of Hilarion): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Ep. 22 (Letters): allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 134 (PL 23:699b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-134). ## On Illustrious Men 135 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-135 - Source: PL 23:699b–701a - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Jerome lists his own works up to 392, including his Lives, letters, translations, commentaries and the Bible translation. ### Latin text Hieronymus, patre Eusebio natus, oppido Stridonis, quod, a Gothis eversum, Dalmatiae quondam Pannoniaeque confinium fuit, usque in praesentem annum, id est, Theodosii principis decimum quartum, haec scripsi: Vitam Pauli monachi, Epistolarum ad diversos librum unum, ad Heliodorum Exhortatoriam, Altercationem Luciferiani et Orthodoxi, Chronicon omnimodae historiae: in Jeremiam et in Ezechiel Homilias Origenis viginti octo, quas de Graeco in Latinum verti; de Seraphim, de Osanna, et de frugi et luxurioso filiis; de tribus Quaestionibus legis veteris, homilias in Cantica canticorum duas, adversus Helvidium de virginitate Mariae perpetua, ad Eustochium de virginitate servanda, ad Marcellam Epistolarum librum unum, Consolatoriam de morte filiae ad Paulam, in Epistolam Pauli ad Galatas Commentariorum libros tres, item in Epistolam ad Ephesios libros tres, in Epistolam ad Titum librum unum, in Epistolam ad Philemonem librum unum, in Ecclesiasten Commentarios, Quaestionum hebraicarum in Genesim librum unum, de Locis librum unum, Hebraicorum Nominum librum unum; de Spiritu sancto Didymi, quem in Latinum transtuli, librum unum; in Lucam homilias triginta novem; in Psalmos, a decimo usque ad decimum sextum, tractatus septem; Malchi, captivi monachi, Vitam, et beati Hilarionis; Novum Testamentum Graecae fidei reddidi, Vetus juxta Hebraicam transtuli; Epistolarum autem ad Paulam et Eustochium, quia quotidie scribuntur, incertus est numerus. Scripsi praeterea in Michaeam explanationum libros duos, in Sophoniam librum unum, in Nahum librum unum, in Habacuc libros duos, in Aggaeum librum unum, multaque alia de opere prophetali, quae nunc habeo in manibus, et necdum expleta sunt. Adversus Jovinianum libros duos, et ad Pammachium Apologeticum et Epitaphium. ### English translation (Claude) I, Jerome, son of Eusebius, born in the town of Stridon, which, destroyed by the Goths, was once on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia, have written up to the present year, that is, the fourteenth of the emperor Theodosius, these things: the Life of Paul the monk; one book of Letters to various people; an Exhortation to Heliodorus; the Dispute between a Luciferian and an Orthodox man; the Chronicle of universal history; twenty-eight homilies of Origen on Jeremiah and Ezekiel, which I translated from Greek into Latin; On the Seraphim; On Hosanna; On the Thrifty and the Prodigal Sons; on three questions of the old law; two homilies on the Song of Songs; against Helvidius on the perpetual virginity of Mary; to Eustochium on preserving virginity; one book of Letters to Marcella; a Consolation to Paula on the death of her daughter; three books of commentaries on Paul's letter to the Galatians; likewise three books on the letter to the Ephesians; one book on the letter to Titus; one book on the letter to Philemon; commentaries on Ecclesiastes; one book of Hebrew Questions on Genesis; one book On Places; one book of Hebrew Names; one book of Didymus On the Holy Spirit, which I translated into Latin; thirty-nine homilies on Luke; seven treatises on the Psalms from the tenth to the sixteenth; the Life of Malchus the captive monk, and of blessed Hilarion. I have restored the New Testament to the accuracy of the Greek, and translated the Old according to the Hebrew. Of the letters to Paula and Eustochium, since they are written daily, the number is uncertain. I have written besides two books of explanations on Micah, one book on Zephaniah, one book on Nahum, two books on Habakkuk, one book on Haggai, and many other things of the prophetic work, which I now have in hand and are not yet finished. Two books against Jovinian, and an Apology and an Epitaph to Pammachius. ### Extrabiblical texts - Jerome, Vit. Paul. (Life of Paul the First Hermit): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Ep. (Letters): allusion, high confidence - Chron. (Eusebius and Jerome, Chronicle): allusion, high confidence - Origen, Hom. Ezech. (Homilies on Ezekiel): allusion, high confidence - Origen, Hom. Cant. (Homilies on the Song of Songs): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Helv. (Against Helvidius: On the Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary): allusion, high confidence - Origen, Hom. Luc. (Homilies on Luke): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Vit. Malch. (Life of Malchus the Captive Monk): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Vit. Hil. (Life of Hilarion): allusion, high confidence - Jerome, Jov. (Against Jovinian): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The 'Epitaph to Pammachius' is perhaps Letter 66; the 'Apology' is Letter 48. 'To the accuracy of the Greek' reads Graecae fidei for the digital text's 'Graece fidei'. ### Citation (SBL) Jerome, Vir. ill. 135 (PL 23:699b–701a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/jerome-viris-illustribus/69/#p-135).