Ante-Nicene

100–325

The early church before the Council of Nicaea — a period of rapid expansion, persecution, and the first sustained theological reflection. c. 100–325.

Texts in the library

108

A Plea for the ChristiansAthenagoras of Athens · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 85 min read
Apology
A Treatise on the Soul (De Anima)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 240 min read
Treatise
Address to the GreeksTatian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 75 min read
Apology
Against HermogenesTertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 105 min read
Treatise
Against Marcion. Book I.Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 100 min read
Treatise
Against Marcion. Book II.Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 100 min read
Treatise
Against Marcion. Book III.Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 95 min read
Treatise
Against Marcion. Book IV.Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 310 min read
Treatise
Against Marcion. Book V.Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 180 min read
Treatise
Against the Heathen, Book IArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 90 min read
Apology
Against the Heathen, Book IIArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 120 min read
Apology
Against the Heathen, Book IIIArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 55 min read
Apology
Against the Heathen, Book IVArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 55 min read
Apology
Against the Heathen, Book VArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 75 min read
Apology
Against the Heathen, Book VIArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 45 min read
Apology
Against the Heathen, Book VIIArnobius of Sicca · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 95 min read
Apology
An Address to DemetrianusCyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Apology
An Answer to the Jews (Adversus Iudaeos)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 90 min read
Treatise
Apology (Apologeticus)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 180 min read
Apology
Commentary on John, Book IOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 115 min read
Commentary
Commentary on John, Book IIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 110 min read
Commentary
Commentary on John, Book VIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 145 min read
Commentary
Commentary on John, Book XOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 130 min read
Commentary
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed JohnVictorinus of Pettau · Patristic
approx. 75 min read
Commentary
Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Book XIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 85 min read
Commentary
Contra Celsum, Book IOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 155 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book IIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 165 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book IIIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 140 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book IVOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 200 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book VOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 130 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book VIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 165 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book VIIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 135 min read
Apology
Contra Celsum, Book VIIIOrigen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 135 min read
Apology
De Principiis (Book I)Origen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 120 min read
Treatise
De Principiis (Book II)Origen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 155 min read
Treatise
De Principiis (Book III)Origen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 205 min read
Treatise
De Principiis (Book IV)Origen · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 140 min read
Treatise
Dialogue with TryphoJustin Martyr · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 350 min read
Dialogue
Divine Institutes, Book I (Of the False Worship of the Gods)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 145 min read
Apology
Divine Institutes, Book II (Of the Origin of Error)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 125 min read
Apology
Divine Institutes, Book III (Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 150 min read
Apology
Divine Institutes, Book IV (Of True Wisdom and Religion)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 140 min read
Apology
Divine Institutes, Book V (Of Justice)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 125 min read
Apology
Divine Institutes, Book VI (Of True Worship)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 145 min read
Apology
Divine Institutes, Book VII (Of a Happy Life)Lactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 135 min read
Apology
Epistle 63 to Caecilius (on the cup of the Lord)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 25 min read
Letter
Epistle 64 to Fidus (on infant baptism)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
Epistle 67: To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain, Concerning Basilides and MartialCyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 15 min read
Letter
Epistle 73 to Jubaianus (on the baptism of heretics)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 35 min read
Letter
Epistle 75 (Firmilian to Cyprian)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 35 min read
Letter
Epistle of Polycarp to the PhilippiansPolycarp of Smyrna · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 15 min read
Letter
First ApologyJustin Martyr · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 110 min read
Apology
Fragments from the Lost Writings of IrenaeusIrenaeus of Lyons · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Essay
OctaviusMarcus Minucius Felix · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 115 min read
Dialogue
Of PatienceTertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Treatise
Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors DiedLactantius · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 95 min read
Treatise
On BaptismTertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Treatise
On Idolatry (De Idololatria)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 60 min read
Treatise
On PrayerTertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Treatise
On Repentance (De Paenitentia)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Treatise
On the Apparel of Women (De Cultu Feminarum)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 50 min read
Treatise
On the Lapsed / De Lapsis (Treatise 3)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 50 min read
Treatise
On the Lord's PrayerCyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 50 min read
Treatise
On the Resurrection (fragment)Justin Martyr · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 25 min read
Treatise
On the Resurrection of the Flesh (De Resurrectione Carnis)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 220 min read
Treatise
On the Shows (De Spectaculis)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 55 min read
Treatise
On the Vanity of Idols / Quod Idola Dii Non Sint (Treatise 6)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 20 min read
Treatise
Prescription Against HereticsTertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 85 min read
Treatise
Second ApologyJustin Martyr · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 25 min read
Apology
The Chaplet / On the Soldier's Crown (De Corona)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 45 min read
Treatise
The Demonstration of the Apostolic PreachingIrenaeus of Lyons · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 75 min read
Catechesis
The Epistle of Ignatius to PolycarpIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
The Epistle of Ignatius to the EphesiansIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 15 min read
Letter
The Epistle of Ignatius to the MagnesiansIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
The Epistle of Ignatius to the PhiladelphiansIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
The Epistle of Ignatius to the RomansIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
The Epistle of Ignatius to the SmyrnaeansIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
The Epistle of Ignatius to the TralliansIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 10 min read
Letter
The Epistle to DiognetusAnonymous (Ante-Nicene) · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 25 min read
Apology
The Martyrdom of IgnatiusIgnatius of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 15 min read
Hagiography
The Martyrdom of PolycarpAnonymous (Church of Smyrna) · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 20 min read
Hagiography
The Paedagogus, Book IClement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 125 min read
Treatise
The Paedagogus, Book IIClement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 150 min read
Treatise
The Paedagogus, Book IIIClement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 115 min read
Treatise
The Passion of the Scillitan MartyrsUnknown (North African, 2nd century) · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 5 min read
Hagiography
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book IHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 55 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book IVHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 90 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book IXHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 60 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book VHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 110 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book VIHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 105 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book VIIHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 70 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book VIIIHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 30 min read
Treatise
The Refutation of All Heresies, Book XHippolytus of Rome · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 55 min read
Treatise
The Seventh Council of Carthage under Cyprian (Sententiae Episcoporum / On the Baptism of Heretics)Cyprian of Carthage · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 30 min read
Treatise
The Shepherd of Hermas (Book I)Hermas · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 45 min read
Treatise
The Shepherd of Hermas (Book II)Hermas · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 45 min read
Treatise
The Shepherd of Hermas (Book III)Hermas · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 105 min read
Treatise
The Stromata (Book I)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 110 min read
Apology
The Stromata (Book II)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 145 min read
Apology
The Stromata (Book III)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 80 min read
Apology
The Stromata (Book IV)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 150 min read
Apology
The Stromata (Book V)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 145 min read
Apology
The Stromata (Book VI)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 175 min read
Apology
The Stromata (Book VII)Clement of Alexandria · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 150 min read
Apology
Theophilus to Autolycus. Book ITheophilus of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 25 min read
Letter
Theophilus to Autolycus. Book IITheophilus of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 75 min read
Letter
Theophilus to Autolycus. Book IIITheophilus of Antioch · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 45 min read
Letter
To His Wife (Ad Uxorem)Tertullian · Early Church (pre-Nicene)
approx. 40 min read
Letter