AUTHORSHIP, ORIGINALITY, CONTENT AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF WRITING “LIFE OF CYPRIAN”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2024.159.2
Keywords:
Key words: Society of the Ancient World, ancient Greco-Roman civilization and the Middle Ages, Christianity, Roman Empire, Carthage, Cyprian of Carthage, Roman Africa, hagiography, Church history, martyrdom.Abstract
Introduction. Cyprian of Carthage is one of the most prominent patristic figures of early Christianity. His work significantly contributed to the institutionalization of the episcopal office, and his martyrdom elevated him to the status of a saint. "The Life of Cyprian" is a text that has survived to this day and provides information about Cyprian's actions as a Christian, bishop, and martyr. In historical scholarship, there is a plurality of opinions regarding the authorship and originality of this text. The lack of a unanimous position on this text underscores the relevance of a new analysis of "The Life of Cyprian" in studying the activities of Cyprian of Carthage. The aim of this research is to identify the author, the time period, genre, and the substantive content of "The Life of Cyprian."
Methods. In the research of the source, critical textual analysis was employed, utilizing a historical-comparative method to compare fragments of the text with other contemporary hagiographical texts from the 3rd century AD. To establish the time of writing of the source, the author applied a problem-chronological method.
Results. The article analyzes the previous historiography related to the study of this text. The author of "The Life of Cyprian" is established, and several arguments supporting this position are presented. An approximate chronology for the writing of this text is determined, and the compilatory nature of the source is refuted. The author characterizes the genre and purpose of writing this text, provides a summary of the source, and assesses its informativeness.
Conclusions. The discussion among scholars revolves around the authorship and originality of the text "The Life of Cyprian." The author of the text is Pontius, a deacon of Cyprian, as mentioned by Jerome of Stridon. Evidence for this includes the author’s distinct style, the complexity and coherence of the information presented in the text, as well as references to fragments of Cyprian's early works. The text is original and fully adheres to the hagiographical tradition of the African Church. It was written by a contemporary of Cyprian after his death, around 259 AD. The author of "The Life of Cyprian" aimed to sanctify the life of Cyprian of Carthage and to explain any ambiguous aspects of his episcopate. Biographical details unrelated to Cyprian's ecclesiastical activities are virtually absent from the text. The source is written exclusively in the spirit of early Christian worldview and is filled with numerous allusions to the Bible.
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