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[German Version] (c. 160–170 ce, Carthage – after 220 ce) I. Biography There are few references to Tertullian in the works of other Latin authors (Jer. Vir. ill. 53; Aug. De haeresibus 86). Despite the skepticism of some critics, it is possible ¶ to reconstruct his life. He was born the son of an officer stationed in Carthage. Apart from literary and legal studies, he devoted his youth to social life ( Apol. 18.14; Res. 59.3); identification with the jurist of the same name cited in the Digestum appears unlikely. Jerome’s statement that Tertullian had been a presbyter is disputed.…

[German Version] (the Younger; c. 330, Nazianzus, Cappadocia-390, Nazianzus). Gregory's father (Gregory the Elder) belonged to the community of the Hypsistarians, was converted by his wife, Nonna, and appointed bishop of Nazianzus c. 325. Gregory received a rhetorical education in Caesarea in Palestine, in Alexandria and finally in Athens (353–358), where he encountered Basil the Great and the subsequent emperor Julian the Apostate. Afterward, he was baptized and withdrew, along with Basil, to an ascetic life; together, they authored the so-called Philocalia …

[German Version] When the Christian message expanded beyond the boundaries of Palestine between 50 and 120 ce, it used the language spoken in the eastern part of the Empire, especially by the Jews in Palestine and the Diaspora (II, 1) – Koine Greek. Here there was a Greco-Jewish literature, which included the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint (Bible translations). Under Claudius and Nero, groups of Greek-speaking Christians were already forming in Rome and in Italy; they used Greek texts th…