Cresconius Africanus
Encyclopedia
Cresconius Africanus was a Latin
canon lawyer, of uncertain date and place. He flourished, probably, in the latter half of the 7th century. He was probably a Christian
bishop
of the African Church.
as late as the tenth century. Few of its manuscripts postdate that period.
The content is taken from the collection of Dionysius Exiguus
, but the division into titles (301) is copied from the Breviatio canonum of Fulgentius Ferrandus
, a sixth-century deacon of Carthage. In many manuscripts the text of Cresconius is preceded by an index or table of contents (breviarium) of the titles, first edited in 1588 by Pithou
.
In its entirety the work was first published
by Voellus and Justellus
One of its best manuscripts, the tenth-century Vallicellianus (Rome), has a note in which Cresconius is declared the author of a metrical account of the "bella et victorias" of the "Patricius" Johannes in Africa over the Saracens. This was formerly interpreted to mean the African victory of the Byzantine Patricius Johannes in 697, hence the usual date of Cresconius. Some, however, hold that the poem in question is the Johannis of Flavius Cresconius Corippus
, a Latin poet of about 550, and on this basis identify him with the canonist, thus placing the latter in the sixth century. Others (with Maassen, p. 810) while admitting that the poem in question can be none other than the Johannis"of the aforesaid Latin poet (unknown to Fabricius
, and first edited by Mazzuchelli
, Milan, 1820), maintain that it has been wrongly attributed to this Cresconius, and that it cannot therefore aid in fixing his date.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
canon lawyer, of uncertain date and place. He flourished, probably, in the latter half of the 7th century. He was probably a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the African Church.
Concordia canonum
Cresconius made a collection of canons, known as Concordia canonum, inclusive of the Apostolic Canons, nearly all the canons of the fourth- and fifth-century councils, and many papal decretals from the end of the fourth to the end of the fifth century. It was much used as a handy manual of ecclesiastical legislation by the churches of Africa and GaulGaul
Gaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
as late as the tenth century. Few of its manuscripts postdate that period.
The content is taken from the collection of Dionysius Exiguus
Dionysius Exiguus
Dionysius Exiguus was a 6th-century monk born in Scythia Minor, modern Dobruja shared by Romania and Bulgaria. He was a member of the Scythian monks community concentrated in Tomis, the major city of Scythia Minor...
, but the division into titles (301) is copied from the Breviatio canonum of Fulgentius Ferrandus
Fulgentius Ferrandus
Fulgentius Ferrandus was a canonist and theologian of the African Church in the first half of the 6th century.-Biography:He was a deacon of Carthage and probably accompanied his master and patron, Fulgentius of Ruspe, to exile in Sardinia, when the bishops of the African Church were banished from...
, a sixth-century deacon of Carthage. In many manuscripts the text of Cresconius is preceded by an index or table of contents (breviarium) of the titles, first edited in 1588 by Pithou
Pithou
Pithou is a surname, and may refer to:* François Pithou* Jean Pithou* Nicolas Pithou* Pierre PithouThe above were all brothers....
.
In its entirety the work was first published
Editio princeps
In classical scholarship, editio princeps is a term of art. It means, roughly, the first printed edition of a work that previously had existed only in manuscripts, which could be circulated only after being copied by hand....
by Voellus and Justellus
Christophe Justel
Christophe Justel was a French scholar, known as Christophorus or Christopher Justellus.A librarian, canonist and Protestant, he served as secretary to the French king Henri IV, buying the office for his son Henri Justel ....
One of its best manuscripts, the tenth-century Vallicellianus (Rome), has a note in which Cresconius is declared the author of a metrical account of the "bella et victorias" of the "Patricius" Johannes in Africa over the Saracens. This was formerly interpreted to mean the African victory of the Byzantine Patricius Johannes in 697, hence the usual date of Cresconius. Some, however, hold that the poem in question is the Johannis of Flavius Cresconius Corippus
Flavius Cresconius Corippus
Flavius Cresconius Corippus was a late Roman epic poet of the 6th century, who flourished under East Roman Emperors Justinian I and Justin II. His major works are the epic poem Johannis and the panegyric In laudem Justini minoris...
, a Latin poet of about 550, and on this basis identify him with the canonist, thus placing the latter in the sixth century. Others (with Maassen, p. 810) while admitting that the poem in question can be none other than the Johannis"of the aforesaid Latin poet (unknown to Fabricius
Fabricius
Fabricius may refer to:*people from the Ancient Roman gens Fabricia:*Gaius Fabricius Luscinus, the first of the Fabricii to move to Rome* Carel Fabricius , painter...
, and first edited by Mazzuchelli
Mazzuchelli
There are several notable people with the name Mazzuchelli:*Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli , 17th century Milanese painter*Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, 19th century frontier missionary*Giammaria Mazzucchelli, Italian historian...
, Milan, 1820), maintain that it has been wrongly attributed to this Cresconius, and that it cannot therefore aid in fixing his date.