Athanasius of Alexandria

Also: Athanasius the Great

Born probably between 295 and 299, probably in Alexandria, Egypt. Died in 373, in Alexandria, Egypt.

Bishop of Alexandria for 45 years and the chief defender of the Creed of Nicaea. Emperors sent him into exile five times.

Wrote in Greek. A major author.

Places lived

298 to 335Alexandria, Egyptstudent, deacon, bishop from 328years probable
335 to 337Augusta Treverorum (now Trier, Germany)exile
337 to 339Alexandria, Egyptbishop
339 to 346Roma (now Rome, Italy)exileyears probableRome was his base to about 342. He was then also at Milan, Trier, Serdica, Naissus and Aquileia.
346 to 356Alexandria, Egyptbishop
356 to 362The Egyptian desert (now among the monks of Upper and Lower Egypt; he moved in hiding)exileplace not sureHe hid with the monks and moved often. No one place is known.
366 to 373Alexandria, EgyptbishopFrom 362 to 366 he was sent away twice more and came back twice. Those short stays are left out.

Works

22 works, in the order they were written. 20 works can be read here.

Against the Heathenc. 318 to 337 · perhaps in Alexandria, Egypt · apologyThe first half of a double work: against idols, and how the soul can know God.24,174 words
On the Incarnationc. 318 to 337 · perhaps in Alexandria, Egypt · treatiseWhy the Word of God became man, died and rose.28,310 words
Festal Letter I (for Easter 329)for Easter 329 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · letterHis yearly letter to the churches of Egypt that gives the date of Easter 329 and calls them to keep the fast and the feast.3,744 words
Letter to Marcellinus on the Psalmsbetween 328 and 373 · place not known · letterHow to pray the Psalms.not yet on the site
Festal Letter II (for Easter 330)for Easter 330 · perhaps in Alexandria, Egypt · letterHis yearly letter to the churches of Egypt that gives the date of Easter 330 and calls them to keep the fast and the feast.2,598 words
Festal Letters329 to 373 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · letterThe yearly letters that gave the date of Easter; Letter 39 (367) lists the books of the Bible.45,009 words
Festal Letter III (for Easter 331)for Easter 331 · perhaps in Alexandria, Egypt · letterHis yearly letter to the churches of Egypt that gives the date of Easter 331 and calls them to keep the fast and the feast.2,916 words
Festal Letter IV (for Easter 332)for Easter 332 · probably in Nicomedia (now İzmit, Turkey) · letterHis yearly letter to the churches of Egypt that gives the date of Easter 332 and calls them to keep the fast and the feast.1,691 words
Festal Letter V (for Easter 333)for Easter 333 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · letterHis yearly letter to the churches of Egypt that gives the date of Easter 333 and calls them to keep the fast and the feast.2,235 words
Discourses Against the Ariansc. 339 to 345 · perhaps in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · treatiseThree books that answer the Arian reading of Scripture.157,612 words
Personal Letters (to Amun, Dracontius, Rufinianus, Epictetus, Adelphius, Maximus)about 350 to 371 · perhaps in Alexandria, Egypt · letterSix letters of advice on monks and marriage, on a bishop who ran away, on those who gave way to the Arians, and on the true manhood of Christ.15,500 words
Defence Against the Ariansc. 349 to 357 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · apologyA file of letters and council records that clear him of the charges against him.47,648 words
Defence of the Nicene Definitionc. 350 to 356 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · treatiseWhy the council of Nicaea used the words "of one substance".28,187 words
Defence before Constantiusabout 353 to 357 · perhaps in Aegyptus (now Egypt, region) · apologyHis answer to the emperor on four charges, among them that he turned Constans against his brother.15,697 words
Life of Antonyc. 356 to 362 · place not known · biographyThe life of the first great monk of Egypt, the model for all later lives of saints.27,115 words
Defence of his Flightlate 357 · perhaps in Aegyptus (now Egypt, region) · apologyHis answer to those who called him a coward for fleeing when soldiers came to seize him in 356.10,423 words
History of the Arians357 to 358 · place not known · historyA fierce account, written for the monks, of the years 335 to 357.30,225 words
Letters to Serapion on the Holy Spiritc. 357 to 359 · place not known · letterFour letters that defend the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.not yet on the site
Letters to the Monks358 to 360 · perhaps in Aegyptus (now Egypt, region) · letterTwo short letters to the monks of Egypt: one sent with his history of the Arians, one a warning against Arian visitors.1,931 words
On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia359 to 361 · place not known · treatiseAn account of the many creeds of the 340s and 350s, and an offer of peace to those near the Nicene faith.34,060 words
Tome to the People of Antioch362 · in Alexandria, Egypt · letterThe letter of the council of Alexandria of 362 that offers peace to the divided Nicene parties at Antioch.3,538 words

Filed here, not written by Athanasius of Alexandria

These texts are about this person, hold what this person said, or carry this name without good reason. Each page says which.

Statement of Faith disputedunknown (328 or later) · place not known · creedA short creed on the Father, the Son and the Spirit, with notes against Sabellius and against Arius.5,270 words

Works that carry this name, filed with the anonymous works

Homily on the Labourers in the Vineyard false namefourth to seventh century · place not known · homilyA Coptic sermon on Matthew 20 that carries the name of Athanasius.3,391 words
On Mercy and Judgement false namefourth to seventh century · place not known · homilyA Coptic sermon on giving to the poor and on the last judgement that carries the name of Athanasius.2,661 words
On the Soul and the Body false namefourth to seventh century · place not known · homilyA Coptic sermon on how the soul leaves the body and on Christ's going down to the dead; it carries the name of Athanasius.6,033 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Festal Index 3 (in 328 some said he was under the age for a bishop, which was 30)
Place of birth probable: Rufinus, Church History 10.15; no source names another place
Died sure: Festal Index 45 (7 Pachon, which is 2 May 373); Historia Acephala 5.14 (8 Pachon, which is 3 May 373)
Place of death sure: Historia Acephala 5.14
Alexandria, years probable: Festal Index 1 to 8; Athanasius, Apology against the Arians
Alexandria, place sure: Festal Index 1 to 8; Athanasius, Apology against the Arians
Augusta Treverorum, years sure: Athanasius, Apology against the Arians 87; Festal Index 8 to 10
Augusta Treverorum, place sure: Athanasius, Apology against the Arians 87; Festal Index 8 to 10
Alexandria, years sure: Festal Index 10 and 11
Alexandria, place sure: Festal Index 10 and 11
Roma, years probable: Festal Index 11 to 18; Athanasius, Apology to Constantius 3 and 4
Roma, place sure: Festal Index 11 to 18; Athanasius, Apology to Constantius 3 and 4
Alexandria, years sure: Festal Index 18 to 28; Historia Acephala 1
Alexandria, place sure: Festal Index 18 to 28; Historia Acephala 1
The Egyptian desert, years sure: Festal Index 28 to 34; Historia Acephala 2 and 3
The Egyptian desert, place not sure: Festal Index 28 to 34; Historia Acephala 2 and 3
Alexandria, years sure: Historia Acephala 5; Festal Index 37 to 45
Alexandria, place sure: Historia Acephala 5; Festal Index 37 to 45