Julius Africanus
Also: Sextus Julius Africanus
Born perhaps between 160 and 180, probably in Aelia Capitolina (now Jerusalem). Died perhaps between 240 and 250; the place is not known.
A Christian scholar and traveller who wrote the first Christian world chronicle and set up a library in Rome for the emperor Severus Alexander.
Wrote in Greek.
Places lived
- 195 to 212Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey)visitedyears not sure, place probable
- 215 to 221Alexandria, Egyptstudiedyears not sure, place probable
- 200 to 222Emmaus Nicopolis (now Imwas, Canada Park, West Bank)livedyears not sure, place probable
- 222 to 235Roma (now Rome, Italy)livedyears not sure, place probable
Works
2 works, in the order they were written. 2 works can be read here.
- Chronography (fragments)Pieces of the first Christian chronicle of the world, in five books, from the creation to the year 221.8,857 words
- Letter to Origen on the History of SusannaA short letter that argues the story of Susanna is not a true part of the book of Daniel.619 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born not sure
- Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia, https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc/encyc06/htm/iii.lx.iv.htm (about 160); M. Wallraff, Iulius Africanus Chronographiae (GCS NF 15, 2007) prefers about 170-180
- Place of birth probable
- Kestoi fragment P.Oxy. 412: he calls Aelia Capitolina his old home; Wallraff 2007. Older works say Libya, from the Suda
The Suda calls him a Libyan; modern editors follow the papyrus. - Died not sure
- Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia: soon after 240, from the date of his letter to Origen; Bardenhewer says about 237
- Place of death not known
- No source names the place; Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia; Catholic Encyclopedia, https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08565a.htm
- Edessa, years not sure
- Kestoi 1.20: he hunted with the son of Abgar VIII and watched Bardaisan shoot; the years of the stay are not known
- Edessa, place probable
- Kestoi 1.20; Eusebius, Church History 6.31 (Chronicle on Edessa)
- Alexandria, years not sure
- Eusebius, Church History 6.31.2: he went to Alexandria because of the fame of Heraclas; year not given
- Alexandria, place probable
- Eusebius, Church History 6.31.2
- Emmaus Nicopolis, years not sure
- Eusebius, Chronicle (year 221/222) and Jerome, De viris illustribus 63: he led the embassy that had Emmaus refounded as Nicopolis
- Emmaus Nicopolis, place probable
- Eusebius, Chronicle; Jerome, De viris illustribus 63. Coordinates from the site at Imwas; no Pleiades id found
- Roma, years not sure
- Kestoi fragment P.Oxy. 412: he built the library at the Pantheon for Severus Alexander (ruled 222-235)
- Roma, place probable
- P.Oxy. 412; Wallraff 2007