Tatian
Also: Tatian the Assyrian, Tatian the Syrian
Born perhaps between 110 and 130, perhaps in Assyria (now northern Iraq). Died: the year and the place are not known.
A student of Justin at Rome who later went back to the East. He wrote a sharp attack on Greek culture and joined the four Gospels into one story, the Diatessaron.
Wrote in Greek. A major author.
Places lived
- 155 to 172Roma (now Rome, Italy)student, then teacheryears probableAfter 172 he taught in the East. Epiphanius (Panarion 46) names Mesopotamia; no town or year is sure.
Works
2 works, in the order they were written. 2 works can be read here.
- Address to the GreeksA sharp attack on Greek religion, philosophy and culture.17,090 words
- DiatessaronThe four Gospels made into one story, the Gospel text of the Syriac church for two hundred years.92,685 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born not sure
- No ancient source. Scholars say about 120. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Tatian'.
- Place of birth not sure
- Tatian, Oration to the Greeks 42 ("born in the land of the Assyrians")
He names a region, not a town. The word can also mean Syria in a wide sense. - Died not known
- No ancient source gives a year. He left Rome about 172 and nothing later is sure.
- Place of death not known
- No ancient source names a place.
- Roma, years probable
- Tatian, Oration to the Greeks 18, 19 and 35; Irenaeus, Against Heresies 1.28.1; Eusebius, Chronicle (he left the church in 172)
- Roma, place sure
- Tatian, Oration to the Greeks 18, 19 and 35; Irenaeus, Against Heresies 1.28.1; Eusebius, Chronicle (he left the church in 172)