Basil of Caesarea

Also: Basil the Great, Basilius Magnus

Born probably between 329 and 330, probably in Caesarea (Cappadocia), now Kayseri, Turkey. Died probably between 378 and 379, in Caesarea (Cappadocia), now Kayseri, Turkey.

Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and one of the three Cappadocian Fathers. He wrote on the Holy Spirit and gave Eastern monks their rule.

Wrote in Greek. A major author.

Places lived

345 to 348Caesarea (Cappadocia), now Kayseri, Turkeystudiedyears not surePart of his childhood was in Pontus, near Neocaesarea.
348 to 349Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)studiedyears not sure, place probable
349 to 355Athenae (now Athens, Greece)studiedyears probable
355 to 357Caesarea (Cappadocia), now Kayseri, Turkeyteacher of rhetoricyears probableIn 357 he went to see the monks of Egypt, Palestine and Syria.
358 to 364Annisa (Pontus), now on the river Iris, near Uluköy, Turkey, the site is not suremonkyears probable, place probable
365 to 379Caesarea (Cappadocia), now Kayseri, Turkeypriest, bishop from 370years probable

Works

10 works, in the order they were written. 8 works can be read here.

Lettersc. 357 to 379 · probably in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · letterMore than three hundred letters on church affairs, doctrine, monks and friends.204,143 words
Longer Rulesc. 358 to 378 · perhaps in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · ruleFifty-five long answers on the common life of monks.39,947 words
Shorter Rulesc. 358 to 378 · perhaps in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · ruleThree hundred and thirteen short answers to the questions of monks.53,614 words
Moral Rulesabout 360, revised to the 370s · perhaps in Pontus (now northern Turkey) · ruleEighty rules for the Christian life, each one made of verses from the New Testament.24,574 words
Address to Young Men on Greek Literaturec. 363 to 378 · place not known · treatiseAdvice to his nephews on how to read the pagan Greek writers with profit.7,579 words
Homilies on the Psalmsc. 363 to 378 · probably in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · homilySermons on about fourteen Psalms.not yet on the site
Against Eunomiusc. 364 · place not known · treatiseThree books against Eunomius, who said that the Son is unlike the Father.not yet on the site
Hexaemeronc. 364 to 378 · probably in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · homilyNine sermons on the six days of creation.56,431 words
Homily 13: Exhortation to Holy Baptismbetween 364 and 379 · probably in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · homilyA sermon that urges those who put off baptism to come to it now.5,442 words
On the Holy Spirit375 · probably in Caesarea in Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey) · treatiseA defence of giving the same glory to the Spirit as to the Father and the Son.52,449 words

Works that carry this name, filed with the anonymous works

Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil by traditionfrom the late fourth century; oldest copy about 800 · perhaps in Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey) · liturgyThe longer of the two main Byzantine services of the Eucharist; its central prayer goes back to Basil of Caesarea or his time.5,238 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Counted from his studies and death. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Basil the Great'.
Place of birth probable: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.3 to 43.13
Died probable: The usual date is 1 January 379 (Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Macrina); some scholars argue for late 378
Place of death sure: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.79 and 43.80
Caesarea (Cappadocia), years not sure: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.13
Caesarea (Cappadocia), place sure: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.13
Constantinopolis, years not sure: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.14
Constantinopolis, place probable: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.14
Athenae, years probable: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.14 to 43.24
Athenae, place sure: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.14 to 43.24
Caesarea (Cappadocia), years probable: Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Macrina 6; Basil, Letter 223
Caesarea (Cappadocia), place sure: Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Macrina 6; Basil, Letter 223
Annisa (Pontus), years probable: Basil, Letters 2, 14 and 223; Gregory of Nazianzus, Letters 4 to 6
Annisa (Pontus), place probable: Basil, Letters 2, 14 and 223; Gregory of Nazianzus, Letters 4 to 6
Caesarea (Cappadocia), years probable: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.28 to 43.37; Basil, Letters
Caesarea (Cappadocia), place sure: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 43.28 to 43.37; Basil, Letters