1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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Kapyong
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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

Post by Kapyong »

Early 2nd C. (100 - 133)

Dio Chrysostom (c.40 - c.120) = cB
Dio Chrysostom (aka Cocceianus Dio, or Dion Prusa) wrote many works and gave many speeches in various Roman and Greek centres in late 1st century to early 2nd century, of which 80 survive e.g. the Euboicus.

Epictetus (55 - 135) = ScB
Epictetus is known for several books of Stoic religious and philosophic discourses in the early 2nd century. One of his disciples was Arrian, and thanks to him much of Epictetus' works are extant. Epictetus DID apparently mention "the Galileans", which could be a reference to the early Christians, or the revolt under Judas the Galilean in early 1st century.

Philippus of Thessalonica (early 2nd C.) = b
He wrote a large number of Roman epigrams.

Aspasius (early 2nd C.) = sb
Aspasius wrote on philosophy. Some of his work survives.

Demonax (early 2nd C.) = B
A poet of Athens, much of his work survives.

Suetonius (69 - 140) = cB
Suetonius wrote about first century Romans, much survives. His reference to 'Chrestus' does not seem to mean Jesus Christ.

Marcus Antonius Polemon (early 2nd C.) = slb
He wrote on philosophy in Phrygia, some survives.

Arrian (c.86 - 160) = B
Arrian wrote a History of Alexander in Athens c.120.

Florus (1st C. - 2nd C.) = sB
Lucius Annaeus Florus wrote an Epitome of Roman History.

Marcellus Sidetes (2nd C.) = lB
He wrote a large medical poem in Pamphylia, some survives.

Theon Smyrna (c.100) = slb
Theon of Smyrna wrote on astronomy/philosophy in early 2nd century.

Menelaus of Alexandria (early 2nd C.) = l
Wrote on geography and maths, a little survives.

Ptolemy (early 2nd C.) = slB
Claudius Ptolemaeus wrote many works in Alexandria, and much survives.

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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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Mid 2nd C. (134 - 166)

Mathetes c.140 (50-200?) = SbX
Mathetes, a Christian author, wrote a book To Diognetus which has plenty to say about the Word, the Son of God, but no mention they had anything to do with a Jesus Christ, who is never even mentioned.

Minucius Felix c.150 = SBX
Minucius Felix wrote a book Octavius which defends Christian beliefs, but does not mention Jesus even once.

Tatian c.160 = SBX
Just before his mentor Justin Martyr died in c.163, Tatian wrote an Address to the Greeks which describes Christian beliefs in terms of the Logos, the first-born Son of God - without any mention of Jesus.

Athenagoras c.170 = SBX
Athenagoras wrote a Plea For the Christians, which says much about the Logos, the Son of God, but nothing of Jesus Christ. Athenagoras even wrote a lengthy work On the Resurrection in which he discusses Christian beliefs about resurrection - without ever once mentioning Jesus Christ or his resurrection.

Pausanias (mid 2nd C.) = B
Pausanias wrote the massive Guide to Greece in mid 2nd century. Pausanias' work is vast and the index covers over 70 pages of small print, I estimate a couple of thousand names are mentioned - a large number of minor figures from within and without Greece. He even mentions a Jewish prophetess - a figure so minor she is essentially unknown : "Then later than Demo there was a prophetic woman reared among the Jews beyond Palestine; her name was Sabbe." Phokis, Book X, 12, [5] Pausanias also mentions the Jewish rebellion under Hadrian.

Fronto (c.100 - 170) = s
Marcus Cornelius Fronto of Rome wrote several letters in mid 2nd century. According to Minucius Felix, he scandalised rites practiced by Roman Christians - so he could easily have mentioned Jesus.

Aelius Aristides (117 - 181) = sB
Aelius Aristides (not the Christian Aristides of Athens) the mid 2nd century Greek Orator spoke and wrote a History of Rome and other subjects - he seems to refer to the Christians as "impious men from Palestine" (Orations 46.2)

Hierocles (2nd C.) = sl
Hierocles of Alexandria wrote on Stoic philosophy in 2nd century.

Appian (c.95 - c.165) = B
Appian wrote a large Roman History (from the Gracchi to Caesar) in mid 2nd century.

Albinus (c.150) = sl
Albinus taught on (neo-)Platonism in mid 2nd century at Smyrna, a little survives.

Apollodorus (mid 2nd C.) = lB
(Pseudo) Apollodorus compiled a large Mythology in mid 2nd century, he died in Pergamon

Hephaestion (2nd C.) = lb
Hephaestion of Alexandria wrote several surviving works on poetry in mid 2nd century.

Maximus of Tyre (2nd C.) = sLB
Massius Maximus Tyrius, a Greek NeoPlatonic philosopher, wrote many works in mid 2nd century.

Lucius Apuleius (c.125 - c.180) = B
Lucius Apuleius wrote the Metamorphoses in mid-late 2nd C. (the Golden Ass or Transformations of Lucius) and other spiritual, historical, and philosophic works - several survive.

Aulus Gellius (c.125 - c.180) = B
Aulus Gellius wrote Attic Nights (Nights in Athens) in mid-late 2nd C., a large compendium of many topics and which mentioned many people.

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Last edited by Kapyong on Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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Late 2nd C. (167 - 199)

Marcus Aurelius (c.112 - 180) = sB
Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus wrote the Stoic Meditations c.167 - he (apparently) refers once to the Christians in XI, 3 -
" What a soul that is which is ready, if at any moment it must be separated from the body, and ready either to be extinguished or dispersed or continue to exist; but so that this readiness comes from a man's own judgement, not from mere obstinacy, as with the Christians, but considerately and with dignity and in a way to persuade another, without tragic show. "

Sextus Empiricus (c.160 - 210) = b
Sextus Empiricus wrote Outlines of Scepticism in late 2nd century.

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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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Lost Works Which Apparently Did Not Mention Jesus

Emperor Claudius (10BCE - 54CE) Wrote several history books, little survives.

Atilicinus (1st C.) A Roman jurist.

Statius the Elder ( - c.83) Publius Papirius Statius wrote several works.

Menodotus of Nicomedia (early 2nd C.) A writer mentioned by Galen.

Favorinus (early 2nd C.) Favorinus wrote many works, only fragments survive.

Pompeius Saturninus (early 2nd C.) A historian and a poet.

Archigenes (1st - 2nd C.) A physician who wrote influential works, e.g. on the pulse.

Criton of Heraclea (early 2nd C.) Wrote several books but nothing survives.

Titus Aristo (early 2nd C.) A writer mentioned by Pliny, his works are lost.

Onasandros (1st C.) A philosopher, little of his work survives.

Moderatus of Gades (1st C.) Wrote about Pythagoras, little survives.

Aelius Cornelius Celsus (1st C.) He wrote many works in Rome.

Sulpicia (late 1st C.) Wrote love poems, almost all lost.

Damocrates (1st C.) Servilius Damocrates wrote several books.

Alexander of Aegae (1st C.) Alexander was a philosopher in Rome during the 1st C.

Verginius Flavus (mid 1st C.) A Roman writer, nothing survives.

Ammonius of Athens (1st C.) The mentor of Plutarch, who said he wrote about religion and sacred rites.

Gnaeus Domitius Afer (mid 1st C.) Afer wrote in the 1st century - little survives.

Pamphila (c.60) Pamphila of Epidaurus write a 33 volume Historical Notes up to her time of c.60.

Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Gaetulicus (early 1st C.) He wrote poems, little survives.

Pomponius Secundus (1st C.) He wrote many tragedies, very little survives.

Chaeremon of Alexandria (mid 1st C.) He wrote several works, little survives.

Saleius Bassus (late 1st C.) Bassus was a poet.

Bassus ( - c.60) Aufidius Bassus wrote a history up to at least the year 31.

Julia Agrippina (c.59) Julia Agrippina wrote her memoirs, which does not survive.

Cluvius Rufus (mid 1st C.) Cluvius Rufus wrote a detailed history from the year 37 until 69.

Nonianus (2 BCE - 59 CE) Marcus Servilius Nonianus wrote a history of the 1st century up to at least the year 41.


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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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wow . ^ . ^^ . ^^^ . ^^^^.

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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

Post by MrMacSon »

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This period is interesting for seemingly consistent references to the Word or the Logos -
Kapyong wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:48 pm
Mid 2nd C. (134 - 166)

Mathetes c.140 = SbX
Mathetes, a Christian author, wrote a book To Diognetus which has plenty to say about the Word, the Son of God, but no mention they had anything to do with a Jesus Christ, who is never even mentioned.

Minucius Felix c.150 = SBX
Minucius Felix wrote a book Octavius which defends Christian beliefs, but does not mention Jesus even once.

Tatian c.160 = SBX
Just before his mentor Justin Martyr died in c.163, Tatian wrote an Address to the Greeks which describes Christian beliefs in terms of the Logos, the first-born Son of God - without any mention of Jesus.

Athenagoras c.170 = SBX
Athenagoras wrote a Plea For the Christians, which says much about the Logos, the Son of God, but nothing of Jesus Christ. Athenagoras even wrote a lengthy work On the Resurrection in which he discusses Christian beliefs about resurrection - without ever once mentioning Jesus Christ or his resurrection.
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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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MrMacSon wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2017 9:52 pm .
This period is interesting for seemingly consistent references to the Word or the Logos -
Kapyong wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:48 pm
Mid 2nd C. (134 - 166)

Mathetes c.140 = SbX
Mathetes, a Christian author, wrote a book To Diognetus which has plenty to say about the Word, the Son of God, but no mention they had anything to do with a Jesus Christ, who is never even mentioned.

Minucius Felix c.150 = SBX
Minucius Felix wrote a book Octavius which defends Christian beliefs, but does not mention Jesus even once.

Tatian c.160 = SBX
Just before his mentor Justin Martyr died in c.163, Tatian wrote an Address to the Greeks which describes Christian beliefs in terms of the Logos, the first-born Son of God - without any mention of Jesus.

Athenagoras c.170 = SBX
Athenagoras wrote a Plea For the Christians, which says much about the Logos, the Son of God, but nothing of Jesus Christ. Athenagoras even wrote a lengthy work On the Resurrection in which he discusses Christian beliefs about resurrection - without ever once mentioning Jesus Christ or his resurrection.
This table makes the differences here and for a few other 'christological titles' easy to follow:

http://peterkirby.com/a-table-of-christ ... itles.html
"... almost every critical biblical position was earlier advanced by skeptics." - Raymond Brown
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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

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Kapyong wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:48 pm Mathetes c.140 = SbX
Mathetes, a Christian author, wrote a book To Diognetus which has plenty to say about the Word, the Son of God, but no mention they had anything to do with a Jesus Christ, who is never even mentioned.
It's an interesting text. The c. AD 140 dating isn't secure; it could be first century, or even pre-AD 70 (or, some say, later than AD 140).

It's curious that "Jesus Christ" is "never even mentioned." What explanations are there of that? (There's more than one possibility.)

There's a bit of a bifurcation in this text, between the first 10 chapters and the last two. Terms like "the Word" and "apostles" and "gospels" and "church" and "saints" (all of these) are limited to the last two chapters. Some think they (the last two chapters) were added later. There is a lacuna at the end of what we possess of the 10th chapter.
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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

Post by FransJVermeiren »

Thank you for this excellent thread, OP as well as several other contributions.

The silence on Jesus and Christianity in all early sources matches with my theory that Christianity is an entirely post-70 phenomenon. Above Paul the Uncertain speaks of a slow early growth of Christianity, and when this slow growth starts only after 70 CE, the silence is perfectly understandable. The early authors (Josephus, Paul, Philo, Claudius …) did not write about Christianity because it did not exist yet, other first and second century sources didn’t notice Christianity because it was too small.
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Re: 1st & 2nd C writers who missed Christianity

Post by Paul the Uncertain »

Peter Kirby wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2017 11:25 pm It's curious that "Jesus Christ" is "never even mentioned." What explanations are there of that? (There's more than one possibility.)
Nearby is your conversation about the inscription of Abercius, estimated 193-216 CE (an epitaph, stating that it was composed during the life of the deceased). It, too, features Christian tropes and even mentions St Paul, but doesn't mention Jesus or Christ by name, so far as reconstruction is now possible.

It seems plausible that this omission is intentional. The inscription solicits prayers for the deceased, not from all who read it, but from those who understand the meaning of the writing. There are also complaints from early Christian writers elsewhere that the sources of their persecution are the name Christian and its unpleasant reputation rather than any actual bad behavior (e.g. Justin, First Apology 4).

Perhaps a style of expression evolved that avoided what would now be called "trigger words," in this case, the brand names of Christian, Christ and possibly the name Jesus in a Gentile context. If so, then the inscription would be an example of it (so far as we can reconstruct). It is also possible that Jesus had a taboo character of its own, being a "name of God." (A special ritual gesture, a nodding of the head when saying the name, is attested as recently as the last century among some Roman Catholics, for instance.)
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