Bardaisan of Edessa
Also: Bardesanes, Bardesan, Bar Daisan
Born probably in 154, probably in Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey). Died probably in 222; the place is not known.
A Syriac Christian philosopher and poet at the court of King Abgar VIII of Edessa, later judged a heretic.
Wrote in Syriac.
Places lived
- 154 to 216Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey)livedyears probable, place probable
- 216 to 222Armeniaexileyears not sure, place not sure
Works
1 work, in the order they were written. 1 work can be read here.
Filed here, not written by Bardaisan of Edessa
These texts are about this person, hold what this person said, or carry this name without good reason. Each page says which.
- Book of the Laws of Countries about or from this personA dialogue on fate and free will in which Bardaisan is the main speaker; his pupil Philip wrote it down.10,001 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born probable
- Chronicle of Edessa: born 11 July 154; GEDSH, https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Bardaisan
- Place of birth probable
- GEDSH, https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Bardaisan; Catholic Encyclopedia, https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02293a.htm
- Died probable
- GEDSH, https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Bardaisan (154-222); Catholic Encyclopedia gives "probably 222"
- Place of death not known
- Catholic Encyclopedia says "probably at Edessa"; Moses of Khorene has him in Armenia after 216. H. J. W. Drijvers, Bardaisan of Edessa (1966) leaves it open
Edessa or Armenia; the sources do not agree. - Edessa, years probable
- At the court of Abgar VIII (ruled about 177-212); Julius Africanus saw him there about 195 (Kestoi 1.20); GEDSH
- Edessa, place probable
- GEDSH, https://gedsh.bethmardutho.org/Bardaisan
- Armenia, years not sure
- Moses of Khorene, History of Armenia 2.66: he went to Armenia after Caracalla took Edessa (216); a late source
- Armenia, place not sure
- Moses of Khorene 2.66 (fortress of Ani); a region, not a checked site