Asterius of Amasea
Also: Asterius Amasenus
Born perhaps between 330 and 350, perhaps in Cappadocia (central Turkey). Died perhaps between 410 and 425, perhaps in Amaseia (now Amasya, Turkey).
A lawyer who became bishop of Amasea in Pontus and whose sermons give a sharp picture of daily life about the year 400.
Wrote in Greek.
Places lived
- 380 to 410Amaseia (now Amasya, Turkey)bishopyears not sure
Works
1 work, in the order they were written. 1 work can be read here.
- SermonsFive sermons: on the rich man and Lazarus, the unjust steward, greed, the New Year feast and divorce.21,549 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born not sure
- No ancient date; he speaks of his great age about 400; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterius_of_Amasea (c. 350); G. Anderson and E. J. Goodspeed, Ancient Sermons for Modern Times (1904), introduction
- Place of birth not sure
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterius_of_Amasea
A region, not a town; the coordinates are its rough middle. - Died not sure
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterius_of_Amasea (c. 410); J. Quasten, Patrology vol. 3 (1960), p. 300
- Place of death not sure
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterius_of_Amasea (probably died in Amasea)
- Amaseia, years not sure
- He became bishop between 380 and 390; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterius_of_Amasea
- Amaseia, place sure
- Photius, Bibliotheca 271; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/857018 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)