Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
The manuscripts give the title of the work as Vita Cypriani ("The Life of Cyprian"), while Jerome (see above) referred to it as Vita et passio Cypriani ("Life and martyrdom of Cyprian"). Jerome's reference may not be intended as a title; but it is certainly the case that the book is clearly divided into two parts, one concerned with Cyprian's life, one with the events leading up to his martyrdom.
Although Pontius knew Cyprian personally, many have been disappointed in the lack of detailed information in the book. In part this is a result of Pontius' tendency merely to allude to matters he expected his audience to know. Alongside a small number of elements from experience, such as the prophetic dream that Cyprian had on being exiled to Curubis in AD 257, Pontius used Cyprian's own writings and an account of the proconsul's hearing in that year.
Cyprian had been a controversial figure in his lifetime; and even after his death Pontius felt the need to react to some of the criticism he received. The life takes on a particularly apologetic character in its treatment of Cyprian's election to bishop, which some Carthaginians contested and of Cyprian's decision to go into hiding during the Decian persecution of AD 250, rather than undergo martyrdom.
There is only one surviving account of Pontius, a brief mention in Jerome's De viris illustribus ("On famous men") 68:
Pontius, diaconus Cypriani, usque ad diem passionis eius cum ipso exsilium sustinens egregium volumen vitae et passionis Cypriani reliquit.
Pontius, Cyprian's deacon, who up to the day of his martyrdom endured exile with him, wrote a remarkable book of the life and passion of Cyprian.
#cyprian
#churchfathers
#romanempire
#ancientrome
#earlychristianity
#catholicchurch
#easternorthodox
#protestant
#saints
#heretics
#martyrs
The manuscripts give the title of the work as Vita Cypriani ("The Life of Cyprian"), while Jerome (see above) referred to it as Vita et passio Cypriani ("Life and martyrdom of Cyprian"). Jerome's reference may not be intended as a title; but it is certainly the case that the book is clearly divided into two parts, one concerned with Cyprian's life, one with the events leading up to his martyrdom.
Although Pontius knew Cyprian personally, many have been disappointed in the lack of detailed information in the book. In part this is a result of Pontius' tendency merely to allude to matters he expected his audience to know. Alongside a small number of elements from experience, such as the prophetic dream that Cyprian had on being exiled to Curubis in AD 257, Pontius used Cyprian's own writings and an account of the proconsul's hearing in that year.
Cyprian had been a controversial figure in his lifetime; and even after his death Pontius felt the need to react to some of the criticism he received. The life takes on a particularly apologetic character in its treatment of Cyprian's election to bishop, which some Carthaginians contested and of Cyprian's decision to go into hiding during the Decian persecution of AD 250, rather than undergo martyrdom.
There is only one surviving account of Pontius, a brief mention in Jerome's De viris illustribus ("On famous men") 68:
Pontius, diaconus Cypriani, usque ad diem passionis eius cum ipso exsilium sustinens egregium volumen vitae et passionis Cypriani reliquit.
Pontius, Cyprian's deacon, who up to the day of his martyrdom endured exile with him, wrote a remarkable book of the life and passion of Cyprian.
#cyprian
#churchfathers
#romanempire
#ancientrome
#earlychristianity
#catholicchurch
#easternorthodox
#protestant
#saints
#heretics
#martyrs
