The Presbyters Project

VIII.5

60. Tertullianistae dicti a Tertulliano presbytero Africanae prouinciae, ciuitatis Carthaginensis, animam inmortalem esse, sed corpoream praedicantes, et animas hominum peccatorum post mortem in daemones uerti putantes.

(ed. Lindsey 1911, pages unnumbered)

VIII.5

60. The Tertullianists are so called from Tertullian, a presbyter of the African province, of the city of Carthage; they preach that the soul is immortal, but corporeal, and they believe the souls of human sinners are turned into demons after death.

(trans. by S.A. Barney 2006: 176-177)

Discussion:

Tertullian was a Christian writer from Carthage in North Africa, in the 2nd/3rd century (for general introduction and translation of some of his work see Dunn 2004). Isidore of Seville, calling Tertullian "presbyter", most probably follows Jerome, De viris illustribus 53 [2246], which is the earliest piece of evidence identifying Tertullian as a cleric.

Place of event:

Region

Latin North Africa

City

Carthage

About the source:

Author: Isidore of Seville
Title: Etymologies, Etymologiae, Etymologiarum sive Orginum libri XX, Etymologiae sive Origines
Origin: Seville (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Isidore was born ca 560 probably in Cartagena, but later he moved with his family to Seville where he was educated under the supervision of his brother Leander, bishop of Seville in the years 579-600/601. After Leander`s death, Isidore became the bishop of Seville, and he held this office until his death in 636. Isidore was a scholar and prolific writer. Braulio, bishop of Saragossa (631-651 AD) compiled a list of all Isidore`s writings - Renotatio librorum domini Isidori (ed. Martin 2006). One of Isidore`s most famous works was the Etymologies. Isidore was writing them probably from 621 up to his death in 636. In approximately 620 (thus long before completion of his work) he wrote a dedicatory letter to King Sisebut (612-621), edited as Letter VI by Lindsey 1911 (unnumbered page in section "Praemissa"). For a more detailed introduction to the character of this work and historical background see Introduction with bibliography in Barney et al. 2006.

Edition:

W.M. Lindsay ed., Etymologiarum siver Originum libri XX, Oxford 1911, vols. 2

Translation:

S.A. Barney et al. trans., The etymologies of Isidore of Seville, Cambridge ; New York 2006.

Bibliography:

G.D. Dunn, Tertullian, London; New York 2004.

J.C. Martin ed., Braulio Caesaraugustanus, Redemptus Hispalensis, Anonymus, Scripta de vita Isidori episcopi Hispalensis

Renotatio librorum Isidori; Obitus Isidori; Vita Isidori, Turnhout 2006

Categories:

Change of denomination

PR402.

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR402.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER697, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=697