Anatolius of Laodicea: Difference between revisions
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The Alexandrian lunar cycle was mature before 325 because it was used in 311-368. The only "uncertain" dates are by other computists who either did not not understand the Alexandrian computus or objected to one or more of its dates, like Victorius of Aquitaine. |
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'''Anatolius of Laodicea''' (early 3rd century – July 3, 283<ref>"Lives of the Saints," Omer Englebert New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1994, p. 256</ref>), also known as '''Anatolios of Alexandria'''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Irby-Massie |first1=Georgia L. |last2=Keyser |first2=Paul T. |title=Greek Science of the Hellenistic Era: A Sourcebook |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-55639-7 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=-SA2uJ21epQC&pg=PT7&lpg=PT7&dq=Anatolios+of+Alexandria#v=onepage |language=nl}}</ref>, became [[Bishop]] of [[Latakia|Laodicea]] on the [[Mediterranean]] coast of [[Syria (Roman province)|Roman Syria]] in AD 268. He was not only one of the foremost scholars of his day in the physical sciences as well as in [[Aristotelean philosophy]] but also a great [[Computus|computist]]: Around AD 260 he invented the very first Metonic 19-year lunar cycle (not to be confused with the [[Metonic cycle]], of which it is an application in the Julian calendar).<ref>Declercq (2000) 65-66</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Nothaft |first1=C. Philipp E. |title=Dating the Passion: The Life of Jesus and the Emergence of Scientific Chronology (200–1600) |date=2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-21707-2 |page=69 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=KeYxAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=Anatolius+of+Laodicea#v=onepage&q=Anatolius%20of%20Laodicea&f=false |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=McCarthy |first1=Daniel |title=The Lunar and Paschal Tables of ''De ratione paschali'' Attributed to Anatolius of Laodicea |journal=Archive for History of Exact Sciences |date=1995 |volume=49 |issue=4 |pages=285–320 |issn=0003-9519|jstor=41134008 |doi=10.1007/BF00374701 }}</ref> Therefore Anatolius can be considered to be the founder of the new Alexandrian [[Computus|computus paschalis]] which half a century after began with the active construction of the second version of the Metonic 19-year lunar cycle and ultimately would prevail throughout [[Christendom]] for a long time (until the year 1582, when the [[Julian calendar]] was replaced with the [[Gregorian calendar]]).<ref>Declercq (2000) 65-66</ref> The seventeen-centuries-old enigma of his famous 19-year Paschal cycle (not to be confused with the [[Paschal cycle]] of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]) was recently completely resolved by the Irish scholars Daniel Mc Carthy and Aidan Breen.<ref>Mc Carthy & Breen (2003) 15-143</ref> The dates of the classical Alexandrian 19-year lunar cycle were advanced by two days over the dates of the Anatolian 19-year lunar cycle.<ref>Zuidhoek (2017) 87-93</ref> The former began during the early 4th century as evidenced by Ethiopic copies of Alexandrian tables covering three lunar cycles from 310/11 to 367/68.<ref>Neugebauer (2016) 26–27, 37</ref> The dates are secured by the inclusion of an indiction column, and the included Easter dates are consistent with the later dates of [[Dionysius Exiguus]] and [[Bede]] |
'''Anatolius of Laodicea''' (early 3rd century – July 3, 283<ref>"Lives of the Saints," Omer Englebert New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1994, p. 256</ref>), also known as '''Anatolios of Alexandria'''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Irby-Massie |first1=Georgia L. |last2=Keyser |first2=Paul T. |title=Greek Science of the Hellenistic Era: A Sourcebook |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-55639-7 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=-SA2uJ21epQC&pg=PT7&lpg=PT7&dq=Anatolios+of+Alexandria#v=onepage |language=nl}}</ref>, became [[Bishop]] of [[Latakia|Laodicea]] on the [[Mediterranean]] coast of [[Syria (Roman province)|Roman Syria]] in AD 268. He was not only one of the foremost scholars of his day in the physical sciences as well as in [[Aristotelean philosophy]] but also a great [[Computus|computist]]: Around AD 260 he invented the very first Metonic 19-year lunar cycle (not to be confused with the [[Metonic cycle]], of which it is an application in the Julian calendar).<ref>Declercq (2000) 65-66</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Nothaft |first1=C. Philipp E. |title=Dating the Passion: The Life of Jesus and the Emergence of Scientific Chronology (200–1600) |date=2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-21707-2 |page=69 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=KeYxAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=Anatolius+of+Laodicea#v=onepage&q=Anatolius%20of%20Laodicea&f=false |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=McCarthy |first1=Daniel |title=The Lunar and Paschal Tables of ''De ratione paschali'' Attributed to Anatolius of Laodicea |journal=Archive for History of Exact Sciences |date=1995 |volume=49 |issue=4 |pages=285–320 |issn=0003-9519|jstor=41134008 |doi=10.1007/BF00374701 }}</ref> Therefore Anatolius can be considered to be the founder of the new Alexandrian [[Computus|computus paschalis]] which half a century after began with the active construction of the second version of the Metonic 19-year lunar cycle and ultimately would prevail throughout [[Christendom]] for a long time (until the year 1582, when the [[Julian calendar]] was replaced with the [[Gregorian calendar]]).<ref>Declercq (2000) 65-66</ref> The seventeen-centuries-old enigma of his famous 19-year Paschal cycle (not to be confused with the [[Paschal cycle]] of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]) was recently completely resolved by the Irish scholars Daniel Mc Carthy and Aidan Breen.<ref>Mc Carthy & Breen (2003) 15-143</ref> The dates of the classical Alexandrian 19-year lunar cycle were advanced by two days over the dates of the Anatolian 19-year lunar cycle.<ref>Zuidhoek (2017) 87-93</ref> The former began during the early 4th century as evidenced by Ethiopic copies of Alexandrian tables covering three lunar cycles from 310/11 to 367/68.<ref>Neugebauer (2016) 26–27, 37</ref> The dates are secured by the inclusion of an indiction column, and the included Easter dates are consistent with the later dates of [[Dionysius Exiguus]] and [[Bede]]. The classical Alexandrian 19-year lunar cycle was added to the festal letters of [[Athanasius of Alexandria|Athanasius]] during the late 4th century,<ref>Neugebauer (2016) 92–95</ref><ref>Cureton (1847) xlii–lxii</ref><ref>Jones (1943) 22–26</ref> was used by [[Annianus of Alexandria|Annianus]] in his 532-year tables during the early 5th century,<ref>Neugebauer (2016) 113</ref> was fully enumerated in the subsequent 532-year Ethiopic tables,<ref>Neugebauer (2016) 50–57</ref> and was adopted by bishop [[Cyril of Alexandria]] (without any mention of a 532-year table).<ref>Mosshammer (2008) 202-203</ref> |
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Anatolius is considered a saint by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]]es |
Anatolius is considered a saint by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]]es |
Revision as of 20:26, 29 April 2020
Saint Anatolius | |
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Bishop and Confessor | |
Born | early 3rd century Alexandria, Ptolemaic Egypt |
Died | July 3, 283 Laodicea, Roman Syria (now Latakia, Syria) |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; |
Feast | July 3 |
Part of a series on the |
Eastern Orthodox Church |
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Overview |
Anatolius of Laodicea (early 3rd century – July 3, 283[1]), also known as Anatolios of Alexandria[2], became Bishop of Laodicea on the Mediterranean coast of Roman Syria in AD 268. He was not only one of the foremost scholars of his day in the physical sciences as well as in Aristotelean philosophy but also a great computist: Around AD 260 he invented the very first Metonic 19-year lunar cycle (not to be confused with the Metonic cycle, of which it is an application in the Julian calendar).[3][4][5] Therefore Anatolius can be considered to be the founder of the new Alexandrian computus paschalis which half a century after began with the active construction of the second version of the Metonic 19-year lunar cycle and ultimately would prevail throughout Christendom for a long time (until the year 1582, when the Julian calendar was replaced with the Gregorian calendar).[6] The seventeen-centuries-old enigma of his famous 19-year Paschal cycle (not to be confused with the Paschal cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Church) was recently completely resolved by the Irish scholars Daniel Mc Carthy and Aidan Breen.[7] The dates of the classical Alexandrian 19-year lunar cycle were advanced by two days over the dates of the Anatolian 19-year lunar cycle.[8] The former began during the early 4th century as evidenced by Ethiopic copies of Alexandrian tables covering three lunar cycles from 310/11 to 367/68.[9] The dates are secured by the inclusion of an indiction column, and the included Easter dates are consistent with the later dates of Dionysius Exiguus and Bede. The classical Alexandrian 19-year lunar cycle was added to the festal letters of Athanasius during the late 4th century,[10][11][12] was used by Annianus in his 532-year tables during the early 5th century,[13] was fully enumerated in the subsequent 532-year Ethiopic tables,[14] and was adopted by bishop Cyril of Alexandria (without any mention of a 532-year table).[15]
Anatolius is considered a saint by the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches
Life
Anatolius was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, during the early 3rd century. Prior to becoming one of the great lights of the Church, Anatolius enjoyed considerable prestige at Alexandria. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, he was credited with a rich knowledge of arithmetic, geometry, physics, rhetoric, dialectic, and astronomy.[16] Also according to Eusebius, Anatolius was deemed worthy to maintain the school of the Aristotelian succession in Alexandria.[17] The pagan philosopher Iamblichus studied among his disciples for a short time.[18]
There are fragments of ten books on arithmetic written by him. There is also a treatise on time of the Paschal celebration.[19] His famous Paschal cycle has survived in seven different complete medieval manuscripts of the Latin text De ratione paschali.[20]
A story is told by Eusebius of the way in which Anatolius broke up a rebellion in a part of Alexandria known then as Bruchium. It was held by the forces of Zenobia, and being strictly beleaguered by the Romans was in a state of starvation. Anatolius, who was living in Bruchium at the time, made arrangements with the besiegers to receive all the women and children, as well as the old and infirm, continuing at the same time to let as many as wished profit by the means of escaping. It broke up the defence and the rebels surrendered.[21]
In going to Laodicea he was seized by the people and made bishop. Whether his friend Eusebius had died, or whether they both occupied the see together, is a matter of much discussion. The question is treated at length in the Bollandists.
St Anatolius' feast day, like that of his namesake Saint Anatolius of Constantinople, is celebrated on July 3.[22]
References
- ^ "Lives of the Saints," Omer Englebert New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1994, p. 256
- ^ Irby-Massie, Georgia L.; Keyser, Paul T. (2013). Greek Science of the Hellenistic Era: A Sourcebook (in Dutch). Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-55639-7.
- ^ Declercq (2000) 65-66
- ^ Nothaft, C. Philipp E. (2011). Dating the Passion: The Life of Jesus and the Emergence of Scientific Chronology (200–1600). BRILL. p. 69. ISBN 978-90-04-21707-2.
- ^ McCarthy, Daniel (1995). "The Lunar and Paschal Tables of De ratione paschali Attributed to Anatolius of Laodicea". Archive for History of Exact Sciences. 49 (4): 285–320. doi:10.1007/BF00374701. ISSN 0003-9519. JSTOR 41134008.
- ^ Declercq (2000) 65-66
- ^ Mc Carthy & Breen (2003) 15-143
- ^ Zuidhoek (2017) 87-93
- ^ Neugebauer (2016) 26–27, 37
- ^ Neugebauer (2016) 92–95
- ^ Cureton (1847) xlii–lxii
- ^ Jones (1943) 22–26
- ^ Neugebauer (2016) 113
- ^ Neugebauer (2016) 50–57
- ^ Mosshammer (2008) 202-203
- ^ Mc Carthy & Breen (2003) 18
- ^ Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica 7.32.6.
- ^ Eunapius, Lives of the Philosophers and Sophists
- ^ Michaud & Michaud (1811-1855) 94
- ^ Mc Carthy & Breen (2003) 25-43
- ^ Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica 7.32.6-13
- ^ Acta Sanctorum I (fifth century) July
Sources
- Acta Sanctorum I (fifth century) July
- Cureton, William, ed. (1848), The Festal Letters of Athanasius Only some days of the lunar month L.M.
- Michaud Frères (1811-1855) Biographie universelle: Paris
- Lives of the Saints, Omer Englebert, New York: Barnes & Noble, 1994, pp 532, ISBN 1-56619-516-0 (casebound)
- Georges Declercq (2000) Anno Domini (the Origins of the Christian Era): Turnhout (ISBN 9782503510507)
- Jones, Charles W. (1943), "Development of the Latin Ecclesiastical Calendar", Bedae Opera de Temporibus, Medieval Academy of America, pp. 1–122
- Daniel P. Mc Carthy & Aidan Breen (2003), The ante-Nicene Christian Pasch De ratione paschali (The Paschal tract of Anatolius, bishop of Laodicea): Dublin (ISBN 9781851826971)
- Alden A. Mosshammer (2008), The Easter Computus and the Origins of the Christian Era: Oxford (ISBN 9780199543120)
- Neugebauer, Otto (2016) [1979], Ethiopic Astronomy and Computus (Red Sea Press ed.), Red Sea Press, ISBN 978-1-56902-440-9. The numbers on the pages of this edition are six less than the numbers of the corresponding pages of the original edition, so six must be subtracted from page references in this edition's index and text.
- Zuidhoek, Jan (2017). "The initial year of De ratione paschali and the relevance of its paschal dates". Late Antique Calendrical Thought and its Reception in the Early Middle Ages. Studia Traditionis Theologiae. Vol. 26. Brepols Publishers. pp. 71–93. doi:10.1484/M.STT-EB.5.114734. ISBN 978-2-503-57709-8.
- The following concerns only the part "Life" of this article:
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Campbell, Thomas Joseph (1907). "St. Anatolius (1)". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
Further reading
- Kieffer, John (1970). "Anatolius of Alexandria". Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Vol. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 148–149. ISBN 0-684-10114-9.
External links
Works by or about Anatolius of Laodicea at Wikisource
- Paschal Canon
- The Paschal Canon of Anatolius of Laodicea
- Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Anatolius
- Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography: Anatolius of Alexandria
- Anatolius d'Alexandrie: Sur les Dix Premiers Nombres, Sur la Décade et Les Nombres Qu'elle Comprend