Maximus the Confessor

Also: Maximus of Constantinople, Maximos Homologetes

Born probably in 580, perhaps in Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey). Died in 662, in Fort Schemaris, Lazica (now site not sure; by tradition near Tsageri, Georgia).

A monk who defended the teaching that Christ has a human will as well as a divine will. For this the emperor had his tongue and right hand cut off and sent him into exile.

Wrote in Greek. A major author.

Places lived

613 to 624Chrysopolis (now Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey)monkyears not sure, place probable
624 to 626Cyzicus (near Erdek, Turkey)monkyears probable
630 to 645Carthago (now Carthage, near Tunis, Tunisia)monkyears probableHow he came from Cyzicus to Africa, by way of Crete and Cyprus, is not dated.
646 to 653Roma (now Rome, Italy)monkyears probable
653 to 655Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)prisoneryears probable
655 to 656Bizye (now Vize, Turkey)exileFrom 656 to 662 he was held at Rhegium, Perberis and Constantinople, then sent to Lazica.

Works

7 works, in the order they were written. 0 works can be read here.

Four Hundred Chapters on Lovec. 624 to 634 · place not known · treatiseFour sets of one hundred short sayings on love.not yet on the site
The Ascetic Lifec. 624 to 634 · place not known · dialogueA talk between an old monk and a young one on the purpose of the Incarnation and the monastic life.not yet on the site
Ambiguac. 628 to 635 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseAnswers to hard passages in Gregory of Nazianzus and Dionysius.not yet on the site
Commentary on the Lord's Prayerc. 628 to 636 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · commentaryA short, deep reading of the Lord's Prayer.not yet on the site
Mystagogiac. 628 to 636 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseThe church building and the liturgy as a picture of God, the world and the soul.not yet on the site
Questions to Thalassiusc. 630 to 634 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · treatiseSixty-five answers to hard passages of Scripture.not yet on the site
Disputation with Pyrrhus645 · perhaps in Carthago (now Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia) · dialogueThe record of his public debate with the former patriarch Pyrrhus on the two wills of Christ.not yet on the site

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Record of the Trial of Maximus (he was 75 in 655); the Greek Life
Place of birth not sure: The Greek Life of Maximus
A hostile Syriac Life says he was born at Hesfin in the Golan. Scholars are divided.
Died sure: Anastasius the Apocrisiarius, Letter to Theodosius of Gangra (13 August 662)
Place of death sure: Anastasius the Apocrisiarius, Letter to Theodosius of Gangra
The source names the fort. Its site is not sure.
Chrysopolis, years not sure: The Greek Life of Maximus
Chrysopolis, place probable: The Greek Life of Maximus
Cyzicus, years probable: Maximus, Letters 28 to 31; Ambigua to John, prologue
Cyzicus, place sure: Maximus, Letters 28 to 31; Ambigua to John, prologue
Carthago, years probable: Maximus, Letter 12; Disputation with Pyrrhus (July 645)
Carthago, place sure: Maximus, Letter 12; Disputation with Pyrrhus (July 645)
Roma, years probable: Acts of the Lateran Synod of 649; Record of the Trial of Maximus
Roma, place sure: Acts of the Lateran Synod of 649; Record of the Trial of Maximus
Constantinopolis, years probable: Record of the Trial of Maximus
Constantinopolis, place sure: Record of the Trial of Maximus
Bizye, years sure: Disputation at Bizya
Bizye, place sure: Disputation at Bizya