A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

TERTULLIANUS. TERTULLIANUS. 1009
God the Son were identical. In addition, however, which graced the one course, and of the renegade
to these errors, Praxeas had excited the wrath of cowardice evinced by the other.
Tertullian by stirring up one of the bishops of 18. De Exhortatione Castitatis Liber. Three
Rome to persecute the Montanists, the prelate in degrees of purity are here distinguished. The first
question having been, we are here assured, pre- and highest consists in absolute restraint during
viously disposed to regard with favour the views the whole period of life, the second in continence
entertained by the members of that sect, and to from the time of baptism, the third and lowest inl
recognise its founder as a prophet. Neander be- refraining from contracting a second marriage.
lieves that the pope here alluded to was Eleutherus, 19. De Monogamia. May be considered as a
— according to Allix it was Victor. In conse- supplement to the foregoing. It is declared that
quence of the close correspondence between this second marriages are not only inexpedient, but ab.
piece and the work of Hippolytus, Contra Noetlum, solutely sinful, and that the permission to marry at
Semnler has, without success, called in question its all call only be regarded in the light of a concession
authenticity. For an account of this work of Hip- to human weakness. There can be no doubt that
polytus, see Vol. II. p. 492, a. this essay was composed after Tertullian had em14. Scorpiace. This is a Greek word (eKop- braced the extreme views of Montanus, and it has
Mraam) signifying an antidote against the poison of been thought possible to discover the exact time at
scorpions. The present piece is a defence of mar- which it was written, for we are told in the third
tyrdom, intended to neutralise the venom of the chapter that 160 years had elapsed since St. Paul
Gnostics and Cainites, who denied the necessity and addressed his epistle to the Corinthians. But the
efficacy of such sacrifices, and even accounted them precise date of that epistle itself is still open to
sinful. It was evidently composed during a period controversy, and we may moreover conclude that
of persecution, and later than the second book against in this, as in similar passages, Tertullian speaks in
Marcion. (See cc. 1, 4, 5; comp. Hieron. c. Vi- round numbers.
yiloant. 3.) 20. De Jejzniis. A defence of certain fasts
15. De Corona Mililis. On a great public fes- and ascetic observances, the necessity of which was
tival chaplets (coronae) had been distributed to the insisted on by the Montanists, and denied by the
troops. A soldier was seen carrying the one which Catholics. In the first chapter we find a referenrt
he had received in his hand instead of having to the De 2Monogaimia.
piaced it on his head, and when his officer de. 21. De Pudicitia. A controversy had arisen
mnanded the reason of this proceeding, he replied between the Montanists and the Catholics as to
that he was a Christian. He was placed under arrest, the powers possessed by the Church to admit to her
and was awaiting in prison the punishment of his communion, and grant absolution to those who,
insubordination, when, in consequence of a question after baptism, had been guilty of a flagrant breach
having arisen among the Christian community with of chastity. The rigid followers of the Phrygiain
regard to the propriety of the man's conduct, Ter- closed the gates of forgiveness against even the retullian composed this tract, in which he eloquently pentant sinner, the orthodox advocated the milder
defends, and loudly commends, the deed, declaring doctrine. Although Tertullian had formerly supthat this conscientious believer would receive the ported the latter, to a certain extent at least (see
glorious crown of a martyr in exchange for the de Poenit. 7, comp. ad Martyr. 1), he here sternly
impure crown which he had rejected. Neander supports the opinions of his new friends.
imagines that the largess alluded to was bestowed III. WORKS PROBABLY WRITTEN AFTER HER
upon the army after the victory of Severus over BECAME A MONTANIST.- 22. Adversus Valentithle Parthians, in which case we may assign this nianos. An attack upon the fantastic mysticism
piece to A. D. 204. and reveries of Valentinus and his disciples [VA16. De Virginibus velandis. It was the practice LENTINUS]. It has been remarked that there is
in Africa for married women only to wear veils, a very close resemblance, amounting in some cases
while maidens appeared in public uncovered. The to an identity of thought, and even of expression,
latter custom is here denounced as contrary to between this work and the first book of Irenaeus
nature, contrary to the will of God, and contrary on the same subject.
to the discipline of the Church as observed in other 23. Ad Scapulamn A remonstrance addressed
places. The position thus assumed is supported to Scapula, governor of Africa, who was bitterly
by eight arguments, which are urged with a degree assailing the Christians, urging upon his attention
of vehemence and heat somewhat disproportionate the injustice and danger of the course which he was
to the importance of the subject. The essay is, pursuing -unjust, because the objects of his attacks
however, very interesting to the student of Ter- were the most harmless and most loyal adherents
tullian's life and opinions, since it contains a more of the emperor - dangerous, because God had
clear exposition of his views with regard to the already on many occasions manifested his wrath
Paraclete than we find in any other portion of his by punishing in this world those who persecuted
writings. his people. In the last section he particularly al17. De Fuga in Persecutione. The stern and ludes to a portentous darkening of the sun, which
uncompromising Montanus not only forbade his took place during a public assembly at Utica, and
followers to flee from persecution, but encouraged this is by some commentators believed to have
them to defy the heathens, and brave their wrath been the great eclipse of A. D. 210. The capture
by an open and ostentatious profession of their of Byzantium also is spoken of, which took place
religion. The Catholics, on the other hand, did in A. D. 196.
not consider it unbecoming, under certain circum- 24. De Spectaculis. Preparations on a great
stances, to dissemble their faith, or to purchase scale were in progress at Carthage for celebrating
toleration, or, in cases of imminent danger, to seek with all pomp certain public games. This tract is
for safety in flight. We are here presented with a solemn denunciation, addressed to all true hean eloquent exposition of the beauty and holiness lievers, against taking any part in such exhibitions,
VOL, IA. 3 T