Tyconius

Tyconius was an African layman of the Donatist church, whose Book of Rules, the first Latin handbook of biblical interpretation, gave seven rules for reading Scripture. His lost commentary on the Apocalypse shaped later interpretation through Augustine. He insisted that the church is universal, not confined to Africa.

Dates

fl. ca. 380 (approximate)

See or city

North Africa

Region

North Africa

Also known as

Tichonius; Tichonius Afer

Notes

A Donatist layman and biblical interpreter who rejected the Donatist claim that the church had shrunk to Africa; condemned by a Donatist council about 380 yet he stayed in that communion. Augustine (Doctr. chr. 3.30-37) summarized his seven rules and called him a learned man.

Works

• Book of RulesLiber de septem regulis · ca. 380