Athenagoras

Athenagoras was a Christian philosopher, probably of Athens, who about 177 addressed a carefully argued Plea for the Christians to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. He answers the charges of atheism, cannibalism, and incest, and gives one of the clearest early statements of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A treatise On the Resurrection of the Dead is also attributed to him.

Dates

fl. ca. 175–180 (approximate)

See or city

Athens

Region

Greece

Also known as

Athenagoras of Athens; Athenagoras the Athenian

Notes

The manuscript title calls him “Athenagoras the Athenian, a Christian philosopher.” Almost nothing else is known. A late and unreliable report (Philip of Side, 5th century) makes him head of the catechetical school at Alexandria. Early writers barely mention him; Methodius quotes the Plea about 300.

Works

• A Plea for the ChristiansLegatio pro Christianis · ca. 176–180 · CPG 1070 (unverified)
• On the Resurrection of the DeadDe resurrectione mortuorum · ca. 177–180 (if by Athenagoras) · CPG 1071 (unverified)