Hippolytus of Rome (c.170–c.235 CE) was an early Christian theologian, scholar, and martyr, known for his writings on theology, heresy, and church practices. Among the most influential Christian thinkers of the second and third centuries, details of his life remain uncertain.
Believed to be a disciple of Irenaeus, Hippolytus was a Roman presbyter and a strong opponent of modalism, which blurred distinctions between the Father and Son. His theological disputes led him to become an antipope, opposing Pope Callistus I, though he later reconciled with the Church before his martyrdom.
Notable works include Philosophumena (c.222,) critiquing heretical teachings; Apostolic Tradition (c.215,) outlining early Christian liturgical practices; and Commentary on Daniel (c.204,) one of the earliest biblical commentaries. Other writings include Chronicon (c.234,) a historical record, and On the Antichrist (c.200,) exploring eschatology.
Exiled to Sardinia during Emperor Maximinus Thrax’s persecution, Hippolytus died as a martyr. Studies on him include T. C. Schmidt and Nick Nicholas’s The Chronicon of Hippolytus (2010) and Clyde Curry Smith’s Hippolytus of Rome (2023,) examining his theological contributions.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Hippolytus of Rome
Since we are mortal, friendships are best kept to a moderate level, rather than sharing the very depths of our souls.
—Hippolytus of Rome
Topics: Friendship, Candor
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