Cyprian of Carthage

Also: Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus

Born perhaps between 200 and 210, perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, near Tunis, Tunisia). Died in 258, in Carthago (now Carthage, near Tunis, Tunisia).

A teacher of rhetoric who became bishop of Carthage soon after his baptism. He led his church through persecution and plague and was beheaded.

Wrote in Latin. A major author.

Places lived

246 to 257Carthago (now Carthage, near Tunis, Tunisia)convert, then bishop from 248 or 249years probableHe hid outside the city in the persecution of 250 to 251.
257 to 258Curubis (now Korba, Tunisia)exile

Works

16 works, in the order they were written. 16 works can be read here.

To Donatusc. 246 to 249 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseA talk with a friend on the change that baptism made in his life.5,109 words
Treatises (ANF collection)about 246 to 258 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · collectionThe whole ANF volume of Cyprian's treatises in one file; the single treatises have their own entries.136,715 words
Three Books of Testimonies to Quirinusabout 248 to 250 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · collectionBible proof texts set out under headings, against the Jews, on Christ and on Christian conduct.46,788 words
On the Dress of Virginsabout 249 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseAdvice to consecrated virgins to dress and live simply.6,895 words
Letters249 to 258 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · letterEighty-one letters by and to Cyprian on persecution, the lapsed, schism and baptism.137,840 words
On the Lapsed251 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseOn Christians who gave way in the persecution of Decius, and how they can return.10,510 words
On the Unity of the Church251 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseOn the one church and its bishops, written against the schism of Novatian.8,733 words
On the Lord's Prayerc. 251 to 252 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseA commentary on the Lord's Prayer for the newly baptised.10,142 words
On Jealousy and Envyabout 251 to 257 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseA sermon-like tract on envy as the devil's own sin and the root of schism.5,223 words
To Demetrianc. 252 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · apologyAn answer to a pagan who blamed Christians for plague, war and hunger.7,828 words
On Mortalityc. 252 to 253 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseWords of comfort to Christians afraid of death in a time of plague.6,784 words
On Works and Almsc. 253 to 256 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseA call to give to the poor.8,071 words
Exhortation to Martyrdom, to Fortunatusabout 253 to 257 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · collectionBible texts set out under twelve headings to make Christians ready for persecution.10,523 words
On the Advantage of Patience256 · probably in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseA tract in praise of patience, modelled on Tertullian, written to calm the dispute over baptism.7,140 words

Filed here, not written by Cyprian of Carthage

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

On the Vanity of Idols disputedabout 246 to 258 (if by Cyprian) · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · apologyA short tract that the pagan gods are dead kings and that God is one; many scholars doubt that Cyprian wrote it.3,399 words
Works wrongly given to Cyprian (selection) not by this authorabout 250 to 260 · place not known · treatiseLatin works of Cyprian's time that were copied under his name: On the Glory of Martyrdom, an Exhortation to Repentance, a work Against Novatian and a work On Rebaptism.50,902 words

How we know the dates and places

Born not sure: No ancient source. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Cyprian'.
Place of birth not sure: Jerome, On Illustrious Men 67 calls him an African; Carthage is where he taught
Died sure: Acta Proconsularia of Cyprian; Pontius, Life of Cyprian 15 to 19 (14 September 258)
Place of death sure: Acta Proconsularia of Cyprian 3 to 5
Carthago, years probable: Pontius, Life of Cyprian; Cyprian, Letters
Carthago, place sure: Pontius, Life of Cyprian; Cyprian, Letters
Curubis, years sure: Acta Proconsularia of Cyprian 1 and 2
Curubis, place sure: Acta Proconsularia of Cyprian 1 and 2