Map of early church writers
Each circle is a writer, placed where he did his main or longest work, up to the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). Diamonds are anonymous works, placed where they were probably written; squares are church councils. Select a marker to open its page.
Each row of boxes narrows the map: a marker shows if it matches at least one ticked box in every row.
How to read the map
Outline: language of most of the writer’s work
- Latin
- Greek
- Syriac
- Dashed: works not yet on this site
Shape
- Split circle: claimed by two traditions
- Three parts: claimed by all three
- Diamond: anonymous work (grey)
- Square: church council (stone; not coloured by tradition)
Protestant is always on the left, Eastern Orthodox always on the right.
Fill: the tradition that claims the writer, by century
| Tradition | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protestant (orange) | |||||
| Catholic (green) | |||||
| Eastern Orthodox (blue) | |||||
| None (brown) | |||||
| Anonymous work (grey) | |||||
| Council (stone) |
Lighter is earlier, darker is later. “Claimed” means venerated as a saint (Catholic, Orthodox) or commemorated in a Lutheran or Anglican church calendar (Protestant). The Standing boxes also filter anonymous works and councils by their own standing (for councils, which traditions receive them). Works outside the church of their own time (for example Gnostic books) are hidden until “Outside the church of its time” is ticked.
All writers, works and councils on the map
| Name | Dates | Place | Language | Standing | Groups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension of Isaiah | active ca. 70–200 | Syria or Palestine (uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Didache | active ca. 70–120 | Syria (perhaps Antioch; uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Clement of Rome | fl. ca. 95 active ca. 90–100 | Rome | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apostolic Fathers, Bishops |
| Epistle of Barnabas | active ca. 96–135 | Alexandria (often proposed; uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| 2 Clement | active ca. 100–150 | Rome or Corinth (uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Apocalypse of Peter | active ca. 100–150 | Egypt (probably) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Gospel of Peter | active ca. 100–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Hermas | fl. ca. 100–150 active ca. 100–150 | Rome | Greek | None | Apostolic Fathers |
| Odes of Solomon | active ca. 100–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Syriac | Anonymous work | |
| Ignatius of Antioch | d. ca. 110 active ca. 105–115 | Antioch | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apostolic Fathers, Bishops, Martyrs |
| Papias of Hierapolis | ca. 60–ca. 130 active ca. 110–130 | Hierapolis | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apostolic Fathers, Bishops |
| Polycarp of Smyrna | ca. 69 – ca. 156 active ca. 110–156 | Smyrna | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apostolic Fathers, Bishops, Martyrs |
| Aristides of Athens | fl. ca. 125–140 active ca. 125–140 | Athens | Greek | Catholic | Apologists |
| Epistula Apostolorum | active ca. 140–170 | Asia Minor or Egypt (uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| 3 Corinthians (Acts of Paul) | active ca. 150–200 | Asia Minor (probably) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| 5 Ezra (2 Esdras 1–2) | active ca. 150–300 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Acts of Andrew | active ca. 150–210 | Greece or Asia Minor (uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work: Outside the church of its time | |
| Acts of John | active ca. 150–200 | Asia Minor (probably; disputed) | Greek | Anonymous work: Outside the church of its time | |
| Acts of Paul (Coptic fragments) | active ca. 150–200 | Asia Minor (probably) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Acts of Paul and Thecla | active ca. 150–200 | Asia Minor (probably; Tertullian names a presbyter of Asia) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Christian Sibylline Oracles (Books 6–8) | active ca. 150–300 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Infancy Gospel of Thomas | active ca. 150–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Justin Martyr | ca. 100 – ca. 165 active ca. 150–165 | Rome | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apologists, Martyrs |
| Martyrdom of Paul | active ca. 150–200 | Asia Minor (probably) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Phos hilaron (evening hymn) | active ca. 150–300 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Protevangelium of James | active ca. 150–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Tatian | fl. ca. 150–175 active ca. 150–175 | Rome | Greek | None | Apologists, Later condemned or in schism |
| To Diognetus | active ca. 150–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Martyrdom of Polycarp | active ca. 156–160 | Smyrna | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Claudius Apollinaris | active ca. 170 active ca. 160–180 | Hierapolis (Phrygia) | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apologists |
| Epitaph of Abercius | active ca. 160–220 | Hieropolis (Phrygia) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Melito of Sardis | d. ca. 180 active ca. 160–180 | Sardis | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apologists, Bishops |
| Theophilus of Antioch | fl. ca. 169–185 active ca. 169–185 | Antioch | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Apologists, Bishops |
| Muratorian Fragment | active ca. 170–400 | Rome (probable; date disputed) | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Athenagoras | fl. ca. 175–180 active ca. 175–180 | Athens | Greek | None | Apologists |
| Irenaeus of Lyons | ca. 130 – ca. 202 active ca. 175–200 | Lyons (Lugdunum) | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Acts of Peter (Vercelli Latin) | active ca. 180–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Martyrdom of Peter | active ca. 180–200 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Sentences of Sextus | active ca. 180–210 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Sentences of Sextus (Greek) | active ca. 180–210 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Clement of Alexandria | fl. ca. 190–215 active ca. 190–215 | Alexandria | Greek | Protestant | Alexandrian school |
| Tertullian | fl. ca. 197–220 active ca. 197–220 | Carthage | Latin | None | Apologists, Later condemned or in schism |
| Acts of Thomas | active ca. 200–250 | Edessa (probably) | Greek | Anonymous work: Outside the church of its time | |
| Book of the Laws of Countries (school of Bardaisan) | active ca. 200–230 | Edessa | Syriac | Anonymous work | |
| Hermias | date unknown (2nd–6th century) active ca. 200–300 | (not on the map) | Greek | None | Apologists |
| Hippolytus of Rome | fl. ca. 200–235 active ca. 200–235 | Rome | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Martyrs |
| Minucius Felix | fl. early third century active ca. 200–240 | Rome | Latin | None | Apologists |
| Passion of Perpetua and Felicity | active ca. 203 | Carthage | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Julius Africanus | ca. 160 – after 240 active ca. 210–240 | Emmaus (Nicopolis) in Palestine | Greek | None | Historians |
| Origen | ca. 185 – ca. 253 active ca. 215–253 | Caesarea (Palestine) | Greek | None | Alexandrian school, Later condemned or in schism |
| Didascalia Apostolorum (not yet on this site) | active ca. 230–250 | Syria (uncertain) | Syriac | Anonymous work | |
| 6 Ezra (2 Esdras 15–16) | active ca. 240–300 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Gregory Thaumaturgus | ca. 213 – ca. 270 active ca. 240–270 | Neocaesarea in Pontus | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Alexandrian school |
| Novatian | fl. ca. 240–258 active ca. 240–258 | Rome | Latin | None | Later condemned or in schism |
| Cyprian of Carthage | ca. 200 – 258 active ca. 246–258 | Carthage | Latin | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Martyrs |
| Dionysius of Alexandria | d. ca. 264 active ca. 247–264 | Alexandria | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Alexandrian school |
| Commodian | 3rd–5th century (disputed) active ca. 250–450 | Gaza (traditional; not confirmed) (not on the map) | Latin | None | Poets |
| Epitaph of Pectorius | active ca. 250–400 | Autun (Augustodunum) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Oxyrhynchus hymn | active ca. 250–300 | Oxyrhynchus | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Pistis Sophia | active ca. 250–300 | Egypt (probably) | Greek | Anonymous work: Outside the church of its time | |
| Council of Carthage (256) | 256 active ca. 256 | Carthage | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Theognostus of Alexandria | active ca. 260–300 active ca. 260–300 | Alexandria | Greek | None | |
| Synod of Antioch against Paul of Samosata | 268 active ca. 268 | Antioch | Greek | Council | |
| Methodius of Olympus | d. ca. 311 active ca. 270–311 | Olympus (Lycia) | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Martyrs |
| Alexander of Lycopolis | active ca. 300 active ca. 280–320 | Lycopolis (Asyut) | Greek | None | |
| Lucian of Antioch | d. 312 active ca. 280–312 | Antioch | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | |
| Victorinus of Pettau | d. 304 active ca. 280–304 | Poetovio | Latin | Catholic | Bishops, Martyrs |
| Pamphilus of Caesarea | ca. 240–310 active ca. 290–310 | Caesarea in Palestine | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Martyrs |
| Arnobius of Sicca | fl. ca. 297–303 active ca. 297–303 | Sicca Veneria | Latin | None | Apologists |
| Council of Elvira | ca. 306 active ca. 300–314 | Elvira (Iliberris, near Granada) | Latin | Council | |
| Eusebius of Caesarea | ca. 260 – 339 active ca. 300–339 | Caesarea (Palestine) | Greek | None | Historians, Bishops |
| Martyrdom of Ignatius | active ca. 300–451 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Peter of Alexandria | d. 311 active ca. 300–311 | Alexandria | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Martyrs, Alexandrian school |
| Ps-Justin, Letter to Zenas and Serenus | active ca. 300–450 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Pseudo-Clementine Homilies | active ca. 300–380 | Syria (uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Lactantius | ca. 250 – ca. 325 active ca. 303–320 | Nicomedia | Latin | None | Apologists |
| Meletian documents | active ca. 305–306 | Alexandria | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Acts of Phileas | active ca. 306–311 | Alexandria | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Alexander of Alexandria | d. 328 active ca. 313–328 | Alexandria | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Alexandrian school |
| Council of Ancyra | 314 active ca. 314 | Ancyra | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Council of Arles | 314 active ca. 314 | Arles | Latin | Council | |
| Council of Neocaesarea | ca. 315 active ca. 315 | Neocaesarea (Pontus) | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Council of Nicaea | 325 active ca. 325 | Nicaea | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Nicaea (synodal letter) | 325 active ca. 325 | Nicaea | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Athanasius of Alexandria | ca. 296 – 373 active ca. 328–373 | Alexandria | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church, Alexandrian school |
| Hegemonius | early 4th century (uncertain) active ca. 330–350 | Unknown (not on the map) | Latin | None | |
| Aphrahat (not yet on this site) | fl. ca. 337–345 active ca. 337–345 | Persian Mesopotamia (near Mosul) | Syriac | None | Monastic writers |
| Council of Gangra | ca. 340 active ca. 340 | Gangra (Paphlagonia) | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Didymus the Blind (not yet on this site) | ca. 313–398 active ca. 340–398 | Alexandria | Greek | None | Alexandrian school, Later condemned or in schism |
| Ephrem the Syrian (not yet on this site) | ca. 306–373 active ca. 340–373 | Nisibis | Syriac | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Doctors of the Church, Poets |
| Council of Antioch | 341 active ca. 341 | Antioch | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Council of Sardica | 343 active ca. 343 | Sardica (Sofia) | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Council of Sardica (Latin version) | 343 active ca. 343 | Sardica (Sofia) | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Council of Carthage (ca. 345) | ca. 345 active ca. 345–348 | Carthage | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Cyril of Jerusalem | ca. 313 – 386 active ca. 348–386 | Jerusalem | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Hilary of Poitiers | ca. 310 – 367 active ca. 350–367 | Poitiers | Latin | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Letters of Ignatius (long recension) | active ca. 350–400 | Syria (perhaps Antioch; uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Poem on the Passion of the Lord | active ca. 350–451 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Latin | Anonymous work | |
| Testament of Our Lord | active ca. 350–500 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Syriac | Anonymous work | |
| Marius Victorinus (not yet on this site) | fl. ca. 355–365 active ca. 355–365 | Rome | Latin | None | |
| Apollinaris of Laodicea (not yet on this site) | ca. 310–ca. 390 active ca. 360–390 | Laodicea (Syria) | Greek | None | Bishops, Later condemned or in schism |
| Basil of Caesarea | ca. 330 – 378/379 active ca. 360–379 | Caesarea in Cappadocia | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Cappadocian Fathers, Bishops, Doctors of the Church, Monastic writers |
| Diodore of Tarsus (not yet on this site) | d. ca. 390 active ca. 360–390 | Antioch | Greek | None | Antiochene school, Bishops |
| Gregory of Nazianzus | ca. 329 – ca. 390 active ca. 362–390 | Constantinople | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Cappadocian Fathers, Bishops, Doctors of the Church, Poets |
| Council of Laodicea | ca. 363 active ca. 363 | Laodicea (Phrygia) | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Optatus of Milevis (not yet on this site) | fl. ca. 365–385 active ca. 365–385 | Milevis | Latin | Catholic | Bishops |
| Ambrosiaster (not yet on this site) | fl. ca. 366–384 active ca. 366–384 | Rome | Latin | None | |
| Epiphanius of Salamis | ca. 315 – 403 active ca. 367–403 | Salamis (Constantia) | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops |
| Gregory of Nyssa | ca. 335 – after 394 active ca. 371–394 | Nyssa in Cappadocia | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Cappadocian Fathers, Bishops |
| Ambrose | ca. 339–397 active ca. 374–397 | Milan | Latin | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Council of Valence | 374 active ca. 374 | Valence (Gaul) | Latin | Council | |
| Apostolic Canons | active ca. 375–380 | Syria (perhaps Antioch; uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Apostolic Constitutions (not yet on this site) | active ca. 375–380 | Antioch (probable) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Apostolic Constitutions | active ca. 375–380 | Syria (perhaps Antioch; uncertain) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Jerome | ca. 347–420 active ca. 375–420 | Bethlehem | Latin | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Doctors of the Church, Monastic writers |
| Council of Saragossa | 380 active ca. 380 | Caesaraugusta (Saragossa) | Latin | Council | |
| Council of Aquileia | 381 active ca. 381 | Aquileia | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Constantinople | 381 active ca. 381 | Constantinople | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Constantinople (creed) | 381 active ca. 381 | Constantinople | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Constantinople (382) | 382 active ca. 382 | Constantinople | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Rome (Tome of Damasus) | 382 active ca. 382 | Rome | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Evagrius Ponticus (not yet on this site) | 345–399 active ca. 383–399 | Kellia (Egyptian desert) | Greek | None | Monastic writers, Later condemned or in schism |
| Augustine of Hippo | 354–430 active ca. 386–430 | Hippo Regius | Latin | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| John Chrysostom | ca. 347–407 active ca. 386–407 | Antioch | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Antiochene school, Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Council of Carthage (390) | 390 active ca. 390 | Carthage | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Nilus of Ancyra (not yet on this site) | d. ca. 430 active ca. 390–430 | Ancyra | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Monastic writers |
| Theodore of Mopsuestia (not yet on this site) | ca. 350–428 active ca. 392–428 | Mopsuestia | Greek | None | Antiochene school, Bishops, Later condemned or in schism |
| African Code (Carthage 419, later canons) | 419 active ca. 393–419 | Carthage | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Councils of Carthage (Code of 419) | 419 active ca. 393–419 | Carthage | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox | |
| Council of Nîmes | 394 active ca. 394 | Nîmes | Latin | Council | |
| Paulinus of Nola (not yet on this site) | 354–431 active ca. 395–431 | Nola | Latin | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Poets |
| Council of Carthage (397) | 397 active ca. 397 | Carthage | Latin | Council | |
| Rufinus of Aquileia | ca. 345–411 active ca. 397–411 | Aquileia | Latin | None | Historians |
| Sulpicius Severus | ca. 363–ca. 425 active ca. 397–425 | Primuliacum (Gaul) | Latin | None | Historians |
| Council of Turin | ca. 398 active ca. 398 | Turin | Latin | Council | |
| First Council of Toledo | 400 active ca. 400 | Toledo | Latin | Council | |
| Isidore of Pelusium (not yet on this site) | d. ca. 450 active ca. 400–450 | Pelusium | Greek | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Monastic writers |
| Pelagius (not yet on this site) | ca. 354–after 418 active ca. 400–418 | Rome | Latin | None | Later condemned or in schism |
| Prudentius (not yet on this site) | 348–after 405 active ca. 400–410 | Calahorra (Spain) | Latin | None | Poets |
| Ps-Justin, Christian Questions to the Greeks | active ca. 400–451 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Ps-Justin, Exposition of the True Faith | active ca. 400–450 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Ps-Justin, Greek Questions to Christians | active ca. 400–451 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Ps-Justin, Questions and Answers to the Orthodox | active ca. 400–451 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Ps-Justin, Refutation of Aristotle | active ca. 400–451 | Place unknown (not on the map) | Greek | Anonymous work | |
| Cyril of Alexandria (not yet on this site) | ca. 376–444 active ca. 412–444 | Alexandria | Greek | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church, Alexandrian school |
| Orosius (not yet on this site) | fl. 414–418 active ca. 414–418 | Hippo | Latin | None | Historians |
| John Cassian | ca. 360–435 active ca. 415–435 | Massilia (Marseilles) | Latin | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Monastic writers |
| Theodoret of Cyrrhus (not yet on this site) | ca. 393–ca. 458 active ca. 423–451 | Cyrrhus | Greek | None | Antiochene school, Bishops, Historians |
| Nestorius (not yet on this site) | ca. 386–ca. 451 active ca. 428–451 | Constantinople | Greek | None | Antiochene school, Bishops, Later condemned or in schism |
| Council of Ephesus | 431 active ca. 431 | Ephesus | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Peter Chrysologus (not yet on this site) | ca. 380–ca. 450 active ca. 431–450 | Ravenna | Latin | Catholic | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Vincent of Lérins | d. before 450 active ca. 434–450 | Lérins | Latin | Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Monastic writers |
| Council of Riez | 439 active ca. 439 | Riez (Gaul) | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Socrates Scholasticus (not yet on this site) | ca. 380–after 439 active ca. 439–443 | Constantinople | Greek | None | Historians |
| Leo the Great (not yet on this site) | d. 461 active ca. 440–451 | Rome | Latin | Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Bishops, Doctors of the Church |
| Sozomen (not yet on this site) | ca. 400–ca. 450 active ca. 440–450 | Constantinople | Greek | None | Historians |
| First Council of Orange | 441 active ca. 441 | Orange (Gaul) | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| First Council of Vaison | 442 active ca. 442 | Vaison (Gaul) | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Second Council of Arles (date disputed) | ca. 442–506 active ca. 442–506 | Arles | Latin | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Chalcedon | 451 active ca. 451 | Chalcedon | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | |
| Council of Chalcedon (Definition of Faith) | 451 active ca. 451 | Chalcedon | Greek | Council: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant |