Author Description

Written from Roman North Africa, primarily between 250 and 258, and meant to be circulated and copied, the four volumes of letters provide an entrée into Cyprian's social and mental world and a glimpse of some of the spiritual horizons of an articulate mid-third century provincial Roman. The first volume contains letters from the year 250. The second volume covers the period from approximately high summer of 250 to mid-251. The third volume covers the period from mid-251 to 254, and reveal details of the persecution under Gallus, and the African Council meetings over the years 251-253. The fourth volume covers letters composed over the years 254-258, when Cyprian was martyred.