The Presbyters Project

LXXVI.

PAULUS presbyter, natione, ut ex dictis eius cognovi, Pannonius, scripsit De virginitate servanda et contemptu mundi ac vitae institutione vel morum correctione mediocri sermone, sed divino conditos sale libros duos ad personam cuiusdam nobilis et Christo deditae virginis, Constantiae nomine, in quibus meminit Ioviniani, haeretici et voluptatum ac libidinum praedicatoris, cui in tantum continentis et castae vitae institutio contraria fuerit, ut inter luxuriosas epulas animam eructaret.

(ed. E. Cushing Richardson 1896)

LXXVI.

Presbyter Paul, a Pannonian by origin, as I learned from his own words, wrote On Preserving Virginity and Contempt for the World, and the Ordering of Life or the Correction of Morals, written in a mediocre style, but seasoned with divine salt. The two books were addressed to a certain noble virgin devoted to Christ, called Constantia, and in them he recalls Jovinian the heretic and preacher of voluptuousness and lusts, who was so far removed from leading a continent and chaste life, that he erupted his soul when in the middle of [eating] luxurious dishes.

(trans. by E. Cushing Richardson, changed by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

Perhaps Paul had a personal contact with Gennadius, and hence we may assume that at one point he was active in Gaul, probably in Marseille. However, ex dictis eius cognovi ("as I learned from his own words") may just imply that Gennadius had read some of Paul's work and did not meet him personally.

Place of event:

Region

Danubian provinces and Illyricum
Gaul

City

Marseille

About the source:

Author: Gennadius of Marseille
Title: De viris illustribus, Lives of Illustrious Men, De viris inlustribus, On the lives of famous men On the Lives of Famous Men
Origin: Marseille (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The "Lives of Illustrious Men" by Gennadius of Marseille is the continuation of Jerome`s work bearing the same title. It contains 99 additional additional entries on different famous ecclesiestatics. It was written in the end of 5th century. At one point Gennadius writes that the death of presbyter and monk Theodore (Theodulus) of Coelesyria occured `three years ago, in the reign of Zeno` (died AD 491). Gennadius also knows that pope Gelasius died (AD 496) and Julianus Pomerius is considered alive (d. AD 498). Therefore, Gennadius composed majority of his work most probably in the first half of the 490s.

Edition:

E. Cushing Richardson ed., Hieronymus liber De viris inlustribus; Gennadius liber De viris inlustribus, Leipzig 1896, 57-97.

Categories:

Education - Insufficient education

PR380.

Travel and change of residence

PR380.

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR380.

Relation with - Another presbyter

Relation with - Woman

PR380.

Writing activity

PR380.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER685, https://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=685