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Portrait associated with Theophilus of Antioch

Portrait image associated with Theophilus of Antioch from Wikimedia media records.

William Cave · Public domain

Theophilus of Antioch · Author Profile

There is also a Theophilus of Alexandria (c. 412) Theophilus of Antioch (Greek: Θεόφιλος ὁ Ἀντιοχεύς) was Patriarch of Antioch from 169 until 183. He succeeded Eros of Antioch c. 169, and was succeeded by Maximus I c. 183, according to Henry Fynes Clinton, but these dates are only approximations. In this library, Theophilus of Antioch is linked to 1 document, including To Autolycus.

Activity
2nd century AD - October 18, AD 183
Documents in this library
1
Corpus date window
AD 180

History and Context

There is also a Theophilus of Alexandria (c. 412) Theophilus of Antioch (Greek: Θεόφιλος ὁ Ἀντιοχεύς) was Patriarch of Antioch from 169 until 183. He succeeded Eros of Antioch c. 169, and was succeeded by Maximus I c. 183, according to Henry Fynes Clinton, but these dates are only approximations. His death probably occurred between 183 and 185. His writings (the only remaining being his apology to Autolycus) indicate that he was born a pagan, not far from the Tigris and Euphrates, and was led to embrace Christianity by studying the Holy Scriptures, especially the prophetical books. He makes no reference to his office in his existing writings, nor is any other fact in his life recorded. Eusebius, however, speaks of the zeal which he and the other chief shepherds displayed in driving away the heretics who were attacking Christ's flock, with special mention of his work against Marcion. Theophilus of Antioch is described in reference records as presbyter. Recorded offices include bishop (AD 169-AD 182). Place associations in major reference datasets include Antioch. The documents preserved here span AD 180 and include To Autolycus (1 total).

What We Know

  • Activity window in reference data: 2nd century AD - October 18, AD 183.
  • Approximate lifespan is debated in scholarship; dates vary across surviving witness traditions.
  • Roles in major reference data: presbyter.
  • Ecclesial or civic offices recorded: bishop (AD 169-AD 182).
  • Associated places: Antioch.
  • Tradition or confessional marker: Christianity.
  • Languages linked to writing or transmission: Ancient Greek.
  • No additional notable-work list is consistently preserved in reference metadata.
  • Documents in this corpus: 1 (To Autolycus).
  • Corpus date range for attributed texts: AD 180.

Works in This Library

Legacy

The one undoubted extant work of Theophilus, the 7th Bishop of Antioch (c. 169 – c. 183), is his Apology to Autolycus (Apologia ad Autolycum), a series of books defending Christianity written to a pagan friend. Theophilus of Antioch's reception in theology and church history is closely tied to ongoing study of To Autolycus. The documents preserved here span AD 180 and include To Autolycus (1 total).

Source Notes