De Unitate
Ecclesiae
Catholicae liber, written ll.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
(Paus.
ix.
23.
§ 4 ; | privileges.
Cyprian, although not perfectly con-
Eustath. ad Ilom. p. 277. )
(L. S. ] sistent throughou in his instructions, always ma-
CY NU'RUS (Kúvoupos), a son of Perseus, who nifested a disposition to follow a moderate course ;
is said to have led colonists from Argos into Cymu- and while on the one hand he utterly rejected the
ria, a valley between Argolis and Laconia. (Paus. extreme doctrine of Novatianus, who maintained
ii. 2. $ 3. )
(L. S. ] that the church had no power again to admit the
ÇYPARISSUS (Kurápiocos), a youth of Cea, renegades to her communion, so he was equally
a son of Telephus, was beloved by Apollo and opposed to the laxity of those who were willing to
Zephyrus or Silvanus. When he had inadvertently receive them at once, before they had given evi-
killed his favourite stag, he was seized with immo- dence of their contrition by lengthened penitence,
derate grief, and metamorphosed into a cypress and finally decided that full forgiveness should not
(Ov. Mct. x. 120, &c. ; Serv. ad Aen. iii. 64, 680, be extended to any of the offenders until God
Eclog. x. 26, Georg. i. 20. ) Another Cyparissus should have granted peace to his servants. NO-
is mentioned by Eustathius. (Ad Hom. Il. ii. vatus and Felicissimus, taking advantage of these
519. )
[L. S. ] disputes, endeavoured to gain over to their faction
CÝ'PRIA, CYPRIS, CYPRIGENEIA, or many of the impatient and discontented Lapsi.
CYPRO-GENES (Kumpich Kúpis, Kumpuyévela, Noratus actually appointed Felicissimus his deacon
Kuppoyévns), surnames of Aphrodite, who was without the permission or knowledge of his dio-
born in the island of Cyprus, which was also one cesan, who in his turn caused Felicissimus to be
of the principal seats of her worship. (Hom. II. v. excommunicated ; while the latter, far from sub-
458; Pind. 01. i. 120, xi. 125, Pyth. iv. 383; mitting to the sentence, associated with himself
Tibull. iii. 3. 34; Hor. Carm. i. 3. 1. ) (L. S. ] five seditious presbyters, who breaking off in
CYPRIANUS, THA'SCIUS. This cele-open schism, elected Fortunatus, one of their own
brated prelate was a native of Africa, born, al-number, bishop, and ventured to despatch an epis-
though the exact year cannot be ascertained, about tle to Cornelius, bishop of Rome, announcing their
the beginning of the third century. We are not choice. This cabal, however, soon fell to pieces;
acquainted with the particulars of his life as long Cornelius refused to listen to their representations,
as he remained a Gentile ; but it is evident from their supporters gradually dropped off, and their
his writings that he must have been educated with great bond of union was rudely snapped asunder
St. Jerome and Lactantius as by the defection of their great champion, Novatus,
sure us, that he practised the art of oratory, and who, upon his visit to Rome at the commencement
taught rhetoric with distinguished success, and by of A. D. 251, not only ceased to plead the cause of
this or some other honourable occupation he realised the Lapsi, but espoused to the full extent the
considerable wealth. About the year a. D. 246, he views of Novatianus. Scarcely were these trou-
was persuaded to embrace Christianity by the ex- bles happily allaved, and Cyprian once more se-
hortations of Caecilius, an aged presbyter of the curely seated in his chair, when fresh disturbances
church at Carthage, and, assuming the name of the arose in consequence of the acrimonious contest
spiritual patron by whom he had been set free from between Cornelius and Noratianus (CORNELIUS ;
the bondage of Paganism, was henceforward styled NovaTIANUS) for the see of Rome, the former
THASCIUS CAECILIUS CYPRIANUS. At the same finding a warm supporter in the bishop of Carthage,
period he sold all that he had, and distributed the by whose exertions his authority was acknowledged
price among the poor. The popularity acquired by throughout nearly the whole of Africa. In the month
ibis liberality, combined probably with the reputa- of June, A. D. 252, began what is commonly termed
tion he had previously enjoyed, and the pride na- the persecution of Gallus, but which in reality
turally felt in so distinguished a proselyte, secured originated in an unauthorized popular movement
his rapid elevation. In a. D. 247 he was raised excited by the refusal of the Christians to join in
to the rank of a presbyter, and in the course of the the prayers and sacrifices offered up on account of
following year the bishopric of Carthage was forced the deadly pestilence which was devastating the
upon his reluctant acceptance by a large majority various provinces of the Roman empire. On this
of the African clergy, not without strenuous oppo- occasion, as formerly, the mob of Carthage loudly
sition, however, from a small party headed by demanded that Cyprian should be thrown to the
Novatus [Novatus] and Felicissimus, whose ob lions ; but the danger does not appear to have been
stinate resistance and contumacy subsequently imminent, and while in Italy Cornelius was ba-
gave rise to much disorder and violence.
nished to Civita Vecchia, where he died on the
When the persecution of Decius burst forth 14th of September, and his successor Lucius suf-
(a. D. 250), Cyprian, being one of the first marked fered martyrdom a few months afterwards (5th
out as a victim, fled from the storin, in obedience, March, 253), Africa remained comparatively un-
as he tells us (Epist. xiv. ), to an intimation from disturbed, and the political confusion consequent
heaven that thus he might best discharge his duty, upon the assumption of the purple by Aemilianus
and remained in retirement until after Easter of restored to the church external tranquillity, which
the following year. (A. D. 251. ) During the whole continued uninterrupted for nearly four years. But
of this period he kept up an active correspondence in proportion as there was repose from ivithout, so
no common care.
## p. 913 (#933) ############################################
CYPRIANUS.
913
CYPRIANUS.
discord waxed hot within. The never ending dis- sonts us with a very lively picture both of the
cussions with regard to the Lapsi were vexatiously man and of the times; and while we sometimes
and bitterly revived under a thousand embarrass-remark and regret a certain want of candour and
ing forms ; next arose a dispute with regard to decision, and a disinclination to enunciate boldly
the age at which infants might receive baptism; any great principles sare such as were likely to
and la-tly the important controversy concerning finiter the prejudiccs of his clergy, we at the same
the rebaptizing of those who had been admitted to time feel grateful in being relieved from the head-
the rite by heretics and schismatics, which first strong violence, the overbearing spiritual pride,
arose in Asia, now began to call forth a storm of and the arrogant impiety which disgrace the works
angry feeling in all ihe provinces of the West. of so many early controversialists. llis character,
In this case, Cyprian was no longer the advocate indeed, and opinions were evidently, in no smail
of moderate opinions. Jle steadfastly and sternly degrec, formed by the events of his own life.
maintained that the unity of the visible church The clemency uniformly exhibited towards the
was essential to Christianity; that no Christianity Lapsi was such as might have been expected from
could exist beyond the pale of that church ; that a good man who must have been conscious that he
no sacrament was efficacious if administered by had himself, on one occasion at least, considered it
those who had violated this principle by disobedi- more expedient to avoid than to invite persecution,
ence to episcopal authority; and that consequently while the extreme views which he advocated with
the baptism performed by heretics and schismatics regard to the powers of the church were not sur-
was in itself null and void-doctrines confirmed prising in a prelate whose authority had been so
by the acts of a numerous council held at Carthage long and so fiercely assailed by a body of factious
in the autumn of a. D. 255, and unhesitatingly schismatics. On one point only is his conduct open
repudiated by Stephen, at that time bishop of to painful suspicion. He more than once alleged
Rome. The tempest thus aroused was stilled for that he had received communications and direc-
awhile by the unlooked-for persecution of Valerian, tions direct from heaven, precisely too with re-
hitherto considered the friend and protector of the ference to those transactions of his life which ap-
Christian cause. Cyprian being at once pointed peared most calculated to excite distrust or censure.
out by his high character and conspicuous station, Those who are not disposed to believe that such
was banished by Paternus the proconsul to the revelations were really vouchsafed, cannot fail to
maritime city of Curubis, whither he proceeded in observe that the tone and temper of Cyprian's
September, A. D. 257, attended by his friend and mind were so far removed from fanaticism, that it
constant companion, the deacon Pontius, to whom is impossible to imagine that he could have been
he communicated that he had received a revelation deceived by the rain visions of a heated imagina-
of approaching martyrdom. After having lived in tion.
this agreeable residence for eleven months, treated In his style, which is avowedly formed upon
with the greatest indulgence and surrounded by the model of Tertullian, he exhibiis much of the
every comfort, he was recalled by the new go- masculine vigour and power of his master, while he
vernor, Galerius Maximus, and returned to his skilfully avoids his harshness and extravagance
villa in the neighbourhood of the city, from whence both of thought and diction. The fruits of bis
he was soon summoned to appear before the pro- early training and practice as a rhetorician are
consul at Utica. Conscious of his approaching manifested in the lucid arrangement of his matter,
fate, he withdrew for a time into concealment, in and in the copious, flowing, and sonorous periods
consequence, say his enemies, of his courage having in which he gives expression to his ideas; but we
failed him, or, according to his own declaration, may here and there justly complain, that loose
because he considered it more becoming to die in reasoning and hollow declamation are substituted
the midst of his own people than in the diocese of for the precise logic and pregnant terseness which
another prelate. It is certain that, upon the re- we demand from a great polemical divine.
turn of Maximus, Cyprian reappeared, resisted all The following is a list of Cyprian's works :-
the entreaties of his friends to seek safety in flight, 1. De Gratia Dei liber, addressed in the form
made a bold and firm profession of his faith in the of a letter to his friend Donatus, who appears to
praetorium before the magistrate, and was be have followed in early life the same profession
headed in a spacious plain without the walls in with himself, and to have been converted at the
the presence of a vast multitude of his sorrowing same time. This work was probably composed in
followers, who were freely permitted to remove A. D. 246, very soon after the admission of its
the corpse and to pay the last honours to his me author into the church. It depicts in glowing
mory with mingled demonstrations of grief and colours the happy condition of those who, enlight-
triumph.
ened by the grace of God, have turned aside from
While Cyprian possessed an amount of learning, Paganism to Christianity ; dwells upon the mercy
eloquence, and earnestness, which gained for him and beneficence by which this change is effected,
the admiration and respectful love of those among and upon the importance of the baptismal rite;
whom he laboured, his zeal was tempered with and draws a striking parallel between the purity
moderation and charity to an extent of which we and holiness of the true faith as contrasted with
find but few examples among the ecclesiastics of the grossness and vice of the vulgar belief. Al-
that age and country, and was combined with an though frequently placed among the Epistles of
amount of prudence and knowledge of human Cyprian, it deserves to be considered in the light
nature which enabled him to restrain and guide of a formal treatise.
the fiery spirits by whom he was surrounded, and
2. De Idolorum l'anilute liber, written in A. D.
to maintain unshaken to the close of his life that | 247, the year in which he was ordained a presby-
influence, stretching far beyond the limits of his ter, is imitated from the early Christian Apologies,
own diocese, which he had established almost at especially that of Tertullian. Three points are
the outset of his career. His correspondence pre chiefly insisted upon. 1. The folly of raising
ܪ
3N
## p. 914 (#934) ############################################
914
CYPRIANUS.
CYPRIANUS.
earthly kings, that is, mere mortal men, to the / tione,” contains a lengthened commentary on cach
runk of divinities, the impotence of such imaginary of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer, accompanied
powers, and the emptiness of the science of angury. by remarks upon prayer in general, and upon the
2. The Unity of God. 3. The Advent of Christ, frame of mind which besi betits those who thus
and his Consubstantiality with the Father. This approach the throne of God. This work is highly
tract is expressly ascribed to Cyprian by Jerome extolled by Hilarius in luis commentary on St.
in his Epist. ad Magnum Orat.
Matthew, by Augustin in many places (e. g. de
3. Testimoniorum adversus Judacos libri tres. Don. pcrscr. 2), br Cassiodorus (Dirin. Instit. 19),
A collection of remarkable texts from Scripture, and by Pontius in his life of Cyprian, while among
divided into three books, and illustrated by re- moderns, Barth pronounces it one of the noblest
marks and applications. Those in the first are productions of ancient Christian Latinity. (Advers.
quoted for the purpose of proving that the Jews, lviii. )
by their disobedience, had, in accordance with 8. De Mortalitatc liber, written in A. D. 252,
prophecy, forfeited the protection and promises of during the prevalence of the terrible pestilence
God; those in the second demonstrate that the which for the space of five years ravaged the most
Christians had taken their place, and that Jesus populous provinces of the Roman empire, for the
was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament; purpose of pointing out how little death ought to
those in the third exhibit within a short conipass be an object of dread to the Christian, since to
the great moral and religious obligations of the him it was the gate of immortality, the beginning
Christian life. The precise date at which this of eternal bliss. It is mentioned by Augustin (Adv
compilation was arranged is unknown, but it pro Julian. ii. ), and elsewhere.
bably belongs to the early part of Cyprian's career. 9. Ad Demetriunum liler, also written in A. D.
It is quoted by Jerome (Dial. I. alv. Pelag. ) and 252. Demetrianus, proconsul of Africa, catching
by Augustin. (Contra duas Epist. Pelag. iv. 8, up the popular cry, had ascribed the famine and
10. )
plague under which the world was at this time
4. De Disciplina et Habitu l'irginum liber, labouring to the impiety of the Christians, who
written in A. D. 248, the year in which he was refused to render homage to the deities. Cy-
raised to the episcopate, in imitation of the disser-prian here replies, that the Gentiles themselves
tations of Tertullian, “ De Virginibus velandis," were much more the cause of these disasters, by
“ De Habitu Mulierum,” &c. , the object being to neglecting the worship of the only true God and
enforce upon those holy maidens who had made a cruelly persecuting his followers. It is quoted by
vow of celibacy the necessity of simplicity in their Lactantius (Divin. Instit. v. 1, 4), by Jerome (Adv.
dress and manner of life. lle commences with an May. ), and by Pontius. (l'it. Cyprian. )
encomium on virginity, insists upon the propriety 10. De Exhortatione Martyrii, a letter addressed
of abstaining from all sumptuous apparel and rain to Fortunatus in A. D. 252, during the persecution
ornaments, from paint, from frequenting baths, of Gallus, on the reasonableness, the duty, and the
marriages, or public spectacles, and concludes with reward of martyrdom, in imitation of a treatise on
a general exhortation to avoid all luxurious indul- the same subject by Tertullian. This piece has
gencies. This book is referred to by Jerome been by some persons erroneously attributed to
(Epist. ad Demetriad. et Eustoch. ) and by Augus Hilarius, but is now generally acknowledged as
tin (de Doctrina Christi, iv. 21).
the undoubted production of Cyprian.
5.
De Unitate Ecclesiae Catholicae liber, written ll. De Opere et Elecmosynis liber, on the duty
and despatched to Rome in A. D. 252, at a period of almsgiving, written according to some critics to-
when both Italy and Africa were distracted by wards the close of A. D. 254, while others suppose
the pretensions of Novatianus, with the view of that it belongs to the preceding year, and believe
bringing back to the bosom of the church those it to be connected with an epistle (lxii. ) addressed
who had wandered from her pale or were wavering by Cyprian to some Numidian bishops who had
in their allegiance, by pointing oui the danger and solicited pecuniary assistance to enable them to
sin of schism, and by demonstrating the necessity of redeem from captivity several of the brethren who
a visible union among all true Christians. This had been carried off and were kept in slavery by
remarkable treatise is of the utmost importance to the Moors. It is named under the above title by
the student of ecclesiastical history, since here we Augustin (Contra duas ep. Pelag. iv. 4), and by
first find the doctrine of Catholicism and of the Jerome (Ad Pammach. ), as a discourse “ De Mise-
typical character of St. Peter developed in that ricordia. ”
form which was afterwards assumed by the bishops 12. De Bono Patientiae liber, written about A. D.
of Rome as the basis of Papal supremacy. It is 256, in imitation of the work of Tertullian on the
quoted by Augustin (c. Crescon. ii. 33; see also same subject. It is quoted by Augustin (Contra
Cyprian. Epist. 51).
duas ep. Pelag. iv. 9) and by Pontius. (l'it. Cy-
6. De Lapsis liber, written and despatched to prian. )
Rome in the month of November, A. D. 252. It 13. De Zelo et Lirore, written in A. D. 256, at
may be considered as a sort of supplement to the the period when the controversy between Cyprian
preceding work, explaining and defending the and Stephen, bishop of Rome, on the rebaprizing
justice and consistency of that temperate policy of heretics, was at its height, exhorting Christians
which was adopted both by Cornelius and Cyprian carefully to avoid enry and malice, and to cherish
with regard to the readmission of fallen brethren feelings of charity and love towards each other. It
into the conimunion of the church. The tract is | is quoted by Augustin (de Baptism. l’arv. 4), hy
quoted by Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. vi. 33), by Au- Jerome (In ep. ad Gal. c. 5), and by Pontius. (lit.
gustin (de Adult. Conj. i. 25), and by Pontius Cyprian. )
(lit. Cyprian). See also Cyprian, Epist. 51. 14. Epistolae. In addition to the above we
7. De Oratione Dominica liber, written about poseess a series of eighty-one official letters, ex-
A. D. 252, in imitation of Tertullian, “ De Ora-tending over the whole public life of Cyprian, in-
## p. 915 (#935) ############################################
CYPRIANUS.
915
CYPSELUS.
ใ
P.
cluding a few nddressed to himself or to his clergy. | 1471, fol. The first edition in which any attempt
This collection is of inestimable value, not only on was made to exhibit a pure text, and to separate
riccount of the light which it throws on the life, the genuine from the spurious works, was that of
character, and opinions of the prelate himself, but Erasmus, whose labours are above all praise. It
from the lively picture which it presents of the appeared at Basle, from the press of Froben, in
state of ecclesiastical affairs, and of a multitude of 1520, fol. The two best editions are--). That
circumstances of the greatest importance in histo- printed at Oxford, 1682, fol. , and edited by John
rical and antiquarian researches. Our limits pre- Fell, bishop of Oxford, to which are subjoined the
clude us from attempting to give any analysis of Annales Cyprianici of John Pearson, bishop of
these documents; but we may remark, that the Chester; reprinted at Bremen, 1690, fol. , with
topics principally considered bear upon the ques- the addition of the Dissertationes Cyprianicue of
tions, general and local, which we have noticed Dodwell, which had previously appeared in a
above as agitating the Christian community at this separate forin, Oxon. 1604, 4to.
2. That com-
cpoch, namely, the treatment of the Lapsi, the menced by Baluze, and completed by a monk of
schism of Novatus and Felicissimus, the schism the fraternity of St. Maur, who is hence styled
of Novatianus, the baptism of infants, the re- Maranus, Paris, fol. 1726. These two editions
baptising of heretics, to which we may add a re- taken together contain everything that the student
markable discussion on a subject which has been can possibly desire.
revived in our own day, the necessity of employing As ancient authorities we have a biography of
wine in the sacrament of the Eucharist, in which Cyprian still extant drawn up by his confidential
Cyprian strongly denounces the tenets of the friend the deacon Pontius PONTIUS], together
Aquarii or Encratites (Epist. 63), and employs with the proconsular acts relating to his martyrdom.
many expressions which have been constantly ap- Among modern lives we may specify those by Le
pealed to by those opposed to the practice of the Clerc, Bibliothèque Universelle, vol. xii. 208–
Romish church which denies the cup to the laity. 378; by Tillemont, Mémoires Ecclésiastiques, vol.
In most editions of Cyprian the tract De Gratia iv. pp. 76—459 ; and by Maranus, prefixed to the
Dei, together with the fragment of a letter from edition of Baluze. No publication on this subject
Donatus prefixed to it, are set down as the first contains such an amount of accurate investigation
two epistles, by which arrangement the number is with regard not only to the prelate himself, but also
swelled to eighty-three. Three more were printed to the whole complicated ecclesiastical history of the
by Baluze, which, however, are now admitted to times, as the Annales Cyprianici of Pearson, an
be spurious.
abstract of which has been compiled by Schoene-
The following works are admitted as authentic mann, and will be found in his Bill. Patrum. Lat.
by many editors, although they do not rest on vol. i. pp. 80–100 (c. iii. & 3), and a vast mass
such satisfactory evidence as the foregoing :- of valuable matter is contained in the Dissertationes
1. De Spectaculis liber.
Cyprianicae of Dodwell.
2. De Laude Martyrii ad Moysen et Maximum Compare also Fabric. Bill. Med. et inf. Lat. i.
et ceteros Confessores.
p. 444; Funccius, de L. L. veg. senect. c. x. § 19;
The following works, although frequently found Schröck, Kirchengescht. i. p. 210, and iv. p. 246,
bearing the name of Cyprian, and many of them, &c. ; Lumper, Histor. Theoloy. Crit. pars xi. p. 58,
probably, belonging to the same age, are now re- &c. ; Walch, Bibliotheca Putristica, ed. Danz;
jected by all :-
Gibbon, Decline and Full, c. 16; Milman, History
1. Ad Novatianum Haereticum, quod Lapsis Spes of Christianity, ii. p. 246 ; Rettberg, Thasc. Cäcil.
Veniae non sit deneganda, ascribed by Erasmus to Cyprian dargestellt nach seinem Leben und Wirken,
Cornelius. 2. De Disciplina et bono Pudicitiac, Götting. 1831; Poole, Life and Times of Cyprian,
ascribed in like manner by Erasmus to Cornelius. Oxford, 1840.
[W. R. ]
3. De Aleatoribus. 4. De Montibus Sina et Sion CY'PSELUS (Kúveros), a son of Aepytus,
contra Judaeos. 5. Oratio pro Martyribus — father of Merope and father-in-law of Cres-
Oratio in Die Passionis suae et Confessio S. Cypri- phontes, was king of Basilis on the Alpheius in
ani, assigned by many to Cyprian of Antioch. Arcadia. (Paus. iv. 3. $ 3, viii. 5. SS 4, 8, 29.
6. De Rebaptismate. 7. De Cardinalibus Christi 3 4. )
[L. S. ]
Operibus, now recognized as the work of Arnold, CY'PSELUS, of Corinth, was, according to Hero-
abbot of Bona Vallis. 8. De Singularitate Cleri- dotus (v. 92), a son of Aeëtion, who traced his
9. In Symbolum Apostolicum Erpositio. descent to Caeneus, the companion of Peirithous.
The work of Rufinus. 10. Adversus Judaeos qui Pausanias (ii. 4. & 4, v. 2. & 4, 17. 6 2, and c. 18) de-
Christum insecuti sunt. 11. De Revelatione Capitis scribes Cypselus as a descendant of Melas, who was
B. Jo. Baptistae : in this work mention is made of a natire of Gonusa near Sicyon, and accompanied
the Frankish king Pepin. 12. De Duplici Mar- the Dorians against Corinth. The mother of
tyrio, in which mention is made of the Turks! Cypselus belonged to the house of the Bacchiadae,
13. De Duodecim Abusionibus Saeculi. 14. Dis that is, to the Doric nobility of Corinth. Accord-
posilio Coenae. 15. De Pascha Computus, attributed | ing to the tradition followed by Herodotus, she
to Cyprian by Paulus Diaconus, and found in the married Aection, because, being ugly, she met with
Cottonian MŠ. 16. Three poems, the author or no one among the Bacchiadae who would have her
authors of which are unknown, have been ascribed as his wife. Her marriage remained for some
to Cyprian-Genesis, Sodoma, Ad Senatorem. The time without issue, and when Aeëtion consulted the
first seems to be the same with that assigned by oracle of Delphi about it, a son was promised to
Gennadius to Salvianus, bishop of Marseilles. him, who should prove formidable to the ruling
The editions of Cyprian are very numerous. party at Corinth. When the Bacchiadae were in-
The editio princeps was printed at Rone from a formed of this oracle, which at the same time threw
Parisian MS.
Eustath. ad Ilom. p. 277. )
(L. S. ] sistent throughou in his instructions, always ma-
CY NU'RUS (Kúvoupos), a son of Perseus, who nifested a disposition to follow a moderate course ;
is said to have led colonists from Argos into Cymu- and while on the one hand he utterly rejected the
ria, a valley between Argolis and Laconia. (Paus. extreme doctrine of Novatianus, who maintained
ii. 2. $ 3. )
(L. S. ] that the church had no power again to admit the
ÇYPARISSUS (Kurápiocos), a youth of Cea, renegades to her communion, so he was equally
a son of Telephus, was beloved by Apollo and opposed to the laxity of those who were willing to
Zephyrus or Silvanus. When he had inadvertently receive them at once, before they had given evi-
killed his favourite stag, he was seized with immo- dence of their contrition by lengthened penitence,
derate grief, and metamorphosed into a cypress and finally decided that full forgiveness should not
(Ov. Mct. x. 120, &c. ; Serv. ad Aen. iii. 64, 680, be extended to any of the offenders until God
Eclog. x. 26, Georg. i. 20. ) Another Cyparissus should have granted peace to his servants. NO-
is mentioned by Eustathius. (Ad Hom. Il. ii. vatus and Felicissimus, taking advantage of these
519. )
[L. S. ] disputes, endeavoured to gain over to their faction
CÝ'PRIA, CYPRIS, CYPRIGENEIA, or many of the impatient and discontented Lapsi.
CYPRO-GENES (Kumpich Kúpis, Kumpuyévela, Noratus actually appointed Felicissimus his deacon
Kuppoyévns), surnames of Aphrodite, who was without the permission or knowledge of his dio-
born in the island of Cyprus, which was also one cesan, who in his turn caused Felicissimus to be
of the principal seats of her worship. (Hom. II. v. excommunicated ; while the latter, far from sub-
458; Pind. 01. i. 120, xi. 125, Pyth. iv. 383; mitting to the sentence, associated with himself
Tibull. iii. 3. 34; Hor. Carm. i. 3. 1. ) (L. S. ] five seditious presbyters, who breaking off in
CYPRIANUS, THA'SCIUS. This cele-open schism, elected Fortunatus, one of their own
brated prelate was a native of Africa, born, al-number, bishop, and ventured to despatch an epis-
though the exact year cannot be ascertained, about tle to Cornelius, bishop of Rome, announcing their
the beginning of the third century. We are not choice. This cabal, however, soon fell to pieces;
acquainted with the particulars of his life as long Cornelius refused to listen to their representations,
as he remained a Gentile ; but it is evident from their supporters gradually dropped off, and their
his writings that he must have been educated with great bond of union was rudely snapped asunder
St. Jerome and Lactantius as by the defection of their great champion, Novatus,
sure us, that he practised the art of oratory, and who, upon his visit to Rome at the commencement
taught rhetoric with distinguished success, and by of A. D. 251, not only ceased to plead the cause of
this or some other honourable occupation he realised the Lapsi, but espoused to the full extent the
considerable wealth. About the year a. D. 246, he views of Novatianus. Scarcely were these trou-
was persuaded to embrace Christianity by the ex- bles happily allaved, and Cyprian once more se-
hortations of Caecilius, an aged presbyter of the curely seated in his chair, when fresh disturbances
church at Carthage, and, assuming the name of the arose in consequence of the acrimonious contest
spiritual patron by whom he had been set free from between Cornelius and Noratianus (CORNELIUS ;
the bondage of Paganism, was henceforward styled NovaTIANUS) for the see of Rome, the former
THASCIUS CAECILIUS CYPRIANUS. At the same finding a warm supporter in the bishop of Carthage,
period he sold all that he had, and distributed the by whose exertions his authority was acknowledged
price among the poor. The popularity acquired by throughout nearly the whole of Africa. In the month
ibis liberality, combined probably with the reputa- of June, A. D. 252, began what is commonly termed
tion he had previously enjoyed, and the pride na- the persecution of Gallus, but which in reality
turally felt in so distinguished a proselyte, secured originated in an unauthorized popular movement
his rapid elevation. In a. D. 247 he was raised excited by the refusal of the Christians to join in
to the rank of a presbyter, and in the course of the the prayers and sacrifices offered up on account of
following year the bishopric of Carthage was forced the deadly pestilence which was devastating the
upon his reluctant acceptance by a large majority various provinces of the Roman empire. On this
of the African clergy, not without strenuous oppo- occasion, as formerly, the mob of Carthage loudly
sition, however, from a small party headed by demanded that Cyprian should be thrown to the
Novatus [Novatus] and Felicissimus, whose ob lions ; but the danger does not appear to have been
stinate resistance and contumacy subsequently imminent, and while in Italy Cornelius was ba-
gave rise to much disorder and violence.
nished to Civita Vecchia, where he died on the
When the persecution of Decius burst forth 14th of September, and his successor Lucius suf-
(a. D. 250), Cyprian, being one of the first marked fered martyrdom a few months afterwards (5th
out as a victim, fled from the storin, in obedience, March, 253), Africa remained comparatively un-
as he tells us (Epist. xiv. ), to an intimation from disturbed, and the political confusion consequent
heaven that thus he might best discharge his duty, upon the assumption of the purple by Aemilianus
and remained in retirement until after Easter of restored to the church external tranquillity, which
the following year. (A. D. 251. ) During the whole continued uninterrupted for nearly four years. But
of this period he kept up an active correspondence in proportion as there was repose from ivithout, so
no common care.
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CYPRIANUS.
913
CYPRIANUS.
discord waxed hot within. The never ending dis- sonts us with a very lively picture both of the
cussions with regard to the Lapsi were vexatiously man and of the times; and while we sometimes
and bitterly revived under a thousand embarrass-remark and regret a certain want of candour and
ing forms ; next arose a dispute with regard to decision, and a disinclination to enunciate boldly
the age at which infants might receive baptism; any great principles sare such as were likely to
and la-tly the important controversy concerning finiter the prejudiccs of his clergy, we at the same
the rebaptizing of those who had been admitted to time feel grateful in being relieved from the head-
the rite by heretics and schismatics, which first strong violence, the overbearing spiritual pride,
arose in Asia, now began to call forth a storm of and the arrogant impiety which disgrace the works
angry feeling in all ihe provinces of the West. of so many early controversialists. llis character,
In this case, Cyprian was no longer the advocate indeed, and opinions were evidently, in no smail
of moderate opinions. Jle steadfastly and sternly degrec, formed by the events of his own life.
maintained that the unity of the visible church The clemency uniformly exhibited towards the
was essential to Christianity; that no Christianity Lapsi was such as might have been expected from
could exist beyond the pale of that church ; that a good man who must have been conscious that he
no sacrament was efficacious if administered by had himself, on one occasion at least, considered it
those who had violated this principle by disobedi- more expedient to avoid than to invite persecution,
ence to episcopal authority; and that consequently while the extreme views which he advocated with
the baptism performed by heretics and schismatics regard to the powers of the church were not sur-
was in itself null and void-doctrines confirmed prising in a prelate whose authority had been so
by the acts of a numerous council held at Carthage long and so fiercely assailed by a body of factious
in the autumn of a. D. 255, and unhesitatingly schismatics. On one point only is his conduct open
repudiated by Stephen, at that time bishop of to painful suspicion. He more than once alleged
Rome. The tempest thus aroused was stilled for that he had received communications and direc-
awhile by the unlooked-for persecution of Valerian, tions direct from heaven, precisely too with re-
hitherto considered the friend and protector of the ference to those transactions of his life which ap-
Christian cause. Cyprian being at once pointed peared most calculated to excite distrust or censure.
out by his high character and conspicuous station, Those who are not disposed to believe that such
was banished by Paternus the proconsul to the revelations were really vouchsafed, cannot fail to
maritime city of Curubis, whither he proceeded in observe that the tone and temper of Cyprian's
September, A. D. 257, attended by his friend and mind were so far removed from fanaticism, that it
constant companion, the deacon Pontius, to whom is impossible to imagine that he could have been
he communicated that he had received a revelation deceived by the rain visions of a heated imagina-
of approaching martyrdom. After having lived in tion.
this agreeable residence for eleven months, treated In his style, which is avowedly formed upon
with the greatest indulgence and surrounded by the model of Tertullian, he exhibiis much of the
every comfort, he was recalled by the new go- masculine vigour and power of his master, while he
vernor, Galerius Maximus, and returned to his skilfully avoids his harshness and extravagance
villa in the neighbourhood of the city, from whence both of thought and diction. The fruits of bis
he was soon summoned to appear before the pro- early training and practice as a rhetorician are
consul at Utica. Conscious of his approaching manifested in the lucid arrangement of his matter,
fate, he withdrew for a time into concealment, in and in the copious, flowing, and sonorous periods
consequence, say his enemies, of his courage having in which he gives expression to his ideas; but we
failed him, or, according to his own declaration, may here and there justly complain, that loose
because he considered it more becoming to die in reasoning and hollow declamation are substituted
the midst of his own people than in the diocese of for the precise logic and pregnant terseness which
another prelate. It is certain that, upon the re- we demand from a great polemical divine.
turn of Maximus, Cyprian reappeared, resisted all The following is a list of Cyprian's works :-
the entreaties of his friends to seek safety in flight, 1. De Gratia Dei liber, addressed in the form
made a bold and firm profession of his faith in the of a letter to his friend Donatus, who appears to
praetorium before the magistrate, and was be have followed in early life the same profession
headed in a spacious plain without the walls in with himself, and to have been converted at the
the presence of a vast multitude of his sorrowing same time. This work was probably composed in
followers, who were freely permitted to remove A. D. 246, very soon after the admission of its
the corpse and to pay the last honours to his me author into the church. It depicts in glowing
mory with mingled demonstrations of grief and colours the happy condition of those who, enlight-
triumph.
ened by the grace of God, have turned aside from
While Cyprian possessed an amount of learning, Paganism to Christianity ; dwells upon the mercy
eloquence, and earnestness, which gained for him and beneficence by which this change is effected,
the admiration and respectful love of those among and upon the importance of the baptismal rite;
whom he laboured, his zeal was tempered with and draws a striking parallel between the purity
moderation and charity to an extent of which we and holiness of the true faith as contrasted with
find but few examples among the ecclesiastics of the grossness and vice of the vulgar belief. Al-
that age and country, and was combined with an though frequently placed among the Epistles of
amount of prudence and knowledge of human Cyprian, it deserves to be considered in the light
nature which enabled him to restrain and guide of a formal treatise.
the fiery spirits by whom he was surrounded, and
2. De Idolorum l'anilute liber, written in A. D.
to maintain unshaken to the close of his life that | 247, the year in which he was ordained a presby-
influence, stretching far beyond the limits of his ter, is imitated from the early Christian Apologies,
own diocese, which he had established almost at especially that of Tertullian. Three points are
the outset of his career. His correspondence pre chiefly insisted upon. 1. The folly of raising
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3N
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914
CYPRIANUS.
CYPRIANUS.
earthly kings, that is, mere mortal men, to the / tione,” contains a lengthened commentary on cach
runk of divinities, the impotence of such imaginary of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer, accompanied
powers, and the emptiness of the science of angury. by remarks upon prayer in general, and upon the
2. The Unity of God. 3. The Advent of Christ, frame of mind which besi betits those who thus
and his Consubstantiality with the Father. This approach the throne of God. This work is highly
tract is expressly ascribed to Cyprian by Jerome extolled by Hilarius in luis commentary on St.
in his Epist. ad Magnum Orat.
Matthew, by Augustin in many places (e. g. de
3. Testimoniorum adversus Judacos libri tres. Don. pcrscr. 2), br Cassiodorus (Dirin. Instit. 19),
A collection of remarkable texts from Scripture, and by Pontius in his life of Cyprian, while among
divided into three books, and illustrated by re- moderns, Barth pronounces it one of the noblest
marks and applications. Those in the first are productions of ancient Christian Latinity. (Advers.
quoted for the purpose of proving that the Jews, lviii. )
by their disobedience, had, in accordance with 8. De Mortalitatc liber, written in A. D. 252,
prophecy, forfeited the protection and promises of during the prevalence of the terrible pestilence
God; those in the second demonstrate that the which for the space of five years ravaged the most
Christians had taken their place, and that Jesus populous provinces of the Roman empire, for the
was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament; purpose of pointing out how little death ought to
those in the third exhibit within a short conipass be an object of dread to the Christian, since to
the great moral and religious obligations of the him it was the gate of immortality, the beginning
Christian life. The precise date at which this of eternal bliss. It is mentioned by Augustin (Adv
compilation was arranged is unknown, but it pro Julian. ii. ), and elsewhere.
bably belongs to the early part of Cyprian's career. 9. Ad Demetriunum liler, also written in A. D.
It is quoted by Jerome (Dial. I. alv. Pelag. ) and 252. Demetrianus, proconsul of Africa, catching
by Augustin. (Contra duas Epist. Pelag. iv. 8, up the popular cry, had ascribed the famine and
10. )
plague under which the world was at this time
4. De Disciplina et Habitu l'irginum liber, labouring to the impiety of the Christians, who
written in A. D. 248, the year in which he was refused to render homage to the deities. Cy-
raised to the episcopate, in imitation of the disser-prian here replies, that the Gentiles themselves
tations of Tertullian, “ De Virginibus velandis," were much more the cause of these disasters, by
“ De Habitu Mulierum,” &c. , the object being to neglecting the worship of the only true God and
enforce upon those holy maidens who had made a cruelly persecuting his followers. It is quoted by
vow of celibacy the necessity of simplicity in their Lactantius (Divin. Instit. v. 1, 4), by Jerome (Adv.
dress and manner of life. lle commences with an May. ), and by Pontius. (l'it. Cyprian. )
encomium on virginity, insists upon the propriety 10. De Exhortatione Martyrii, a letter addressed
of abstaining from all sumptuous apparel and rain to Fortunatus in A. D. 252, during the persecution
ornaments, from paint, from frequenting baths, of Gallus, on the reasonableness, the duty, and the
marriages, or public spectacles, and concludes with reward of martyrdom, in imitation of a treatise on
a general exhortation to avoid all luxurious indul- the same subject by Tertullian. This piece has
gencies. This book is referred to by Jerome been by some persons erroneously attributed to
(Epist. ad Demetriad. et Eustoch. ) and by Augus Hilarius, but is now generally acknowledged as
tin (de Doctrina Christi, iv. 21).
the undoubted production of Cyprian.
5.
De Unitate Ecclesiae Catholicae liber, written ll. De Opere et Elecmosynis liber, on the duty
and despatched to Rome in A. D. 252, at a period of almsgiving, written according to some critics to-
when both Italy and Africa were distracted by wards the close of A. D. 254, while others suppose
the pretensions of Novatianus, with the view of that it belongs to the preceding year, and believe
bringing back to the bosom of the church those it to be connected with an epistle (lxii. ) addressed
who had wandered from her pale or were wavering by Cyprian to some Numidian bishops who had
in their allegiance, by pointing oui the danger and solicited pecuniary assistance to enable them to
sin of schism, and by demonstrating the necessity of redeem from captivity several of the brethren who
a visible union among all true Christians. This had been carried off and were kept in slavery by
remarkable treatise is of the utmost importance to the Moors. It is named under the above title by
the student of ecclesiastical history, since here we Augustin (Contra duas ep. Pelag. iv. 4), and by
first find the doctrine of Catholicism and of the Jerome (Ad Pammach. ), as a discourse “ De Mise-
typical character of St. Peter developed in that ricordia. ”
form which was afterwards assumed by the bishops 12. De Bono Patientiae liber, written about A. D.
of Rome as the basis of Papal supremacy. It is 256, in imitation of the work of Tertullian on the
quoted by Augustin (c. Crescon. ii. 33; see also same subject. It is quoted by Augustin (Contra
Cyprian. Epist. 51).
duas ep. Pelag. iv. 9) and by Pontius. (l'it. Cy-
6. De Lapsis liber, written and despatched to prian. )
Rome in the month of November, A. D. 252. It 13. De Zelo et Lirore, written in A. D. 256, at
may be considered as a sort of supplement to the the period when the controversy between Cyprian
preceding work, explaining and defending the and Stephen, bishop of Rome, on the rebaprizing
justice and consistency of that temperate policy of heretics, was at its height, exhorting Christians
which was adopted both by Cornelius and Cyprian carefully to avoid enry and malice, and to cherish
with regard to the readmission of fallen brethren feelings of charity and love towards each other. It
into the conimunion of the church. The tract is | is quoted by Augustin (de Baptism. l’arv. 4), hy
quoted by Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. vi. 33), by Au- Jerome (In ep. ad Gal. c. 5), and by Pontius. (lit.
gustin (de Adult. Conj. i. 25), and by Pontius Cyprian. )
(lit. Cyprian). See also Cyprian, Epist. 51. 14. Epistolae. In addition to the above we
7. De Oratione Dominica liber, written about poseess a series of eighty-one official letters, ex-
A. D. 252, in imitation of Tertullian, “ De Ora-tending over the whole public life of Cyprian, in-
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915
CYPSELUS.
ใ
P.
cluding a few nddressed to himself or to his clergy. | 1471, fol. The first edition in which any attempt
This collection is of inestimable value, not only on was made to exhibit a pure text, and to separate
riccount of the light which it throws on the life, the genuine from the spurious works, was that of
character, and opinions of the prelate himself, but Erasmus, whose labours are above all praise. It
from the lively picture which it presents of the appeared at Basle, from the press of Froben, in
state of ecclesiastical affairs, and of a multitude of 1520, fol. The two best editions are--). That
circumstances of the greatest importance in histo- printed at Oxford, 1682, fol. , and edited by John
rical and antiquarian researches. Our limits pre- Fell, bishop of Oxford, to which are subjoined the
clude us from attempting to give any analysis of Annales Cyprianici of John Pearson, bishop of
these documents; but we may remark, that the Chester; reprinted at Bremen, 1690, fol. , with
topics principally considered bear upon the ques- the addition of the Dissertationes Cyprianicue of
tions, general and local, which we have noticed Dodwell, which had previously appeared in a
above as agitating the Christian community at this separate forin, Oxon. 1604, 4to.
2. That com-
cpoch, namely, the treatment of the Lapsi, the menced by Baluze, and completed by a monk of
schism of Novatus and Felicissimus, the schism the fraternity of St. Maur, who is hence styled
of Novatianus, the baptism of infants, the re- Maranus, Paris, fol. 1726. These two editions
baptising of heretics, to which we may add a re- taken together contain everything that the student
markable discussion on a subject which has been can possibly desire.
revived in our own day, the necessity of employing As ancient authorities we have a biography of
wine in the sacrament of the Eucharist, in which Cyprian still extant drawn up by his confidential
Cyprian strongly denounces the tenets of the friend the deacon Pontius PONTIUS], together
Aquarii or Encratites (Epist. 63), and employs with the proconsular acts relating to his martyrdom.
many expressions which have been constantly ap- Among modern lives we may specify those by Le
pealed to by those opposed to the practice of the Clerc, Bibliothèque Universelle, vol. xii. 208–
Romish church which denies the cup to the laity. 378; by Tillemont, Mémoires Ecclésiastiques, vol.
In most editions of Cyprian the tract De Gratia iv. pp. 76—459 ; and by Maranus, prefixed to the
Dei, together with the fragment of a letter from edition of Baluze. No publication on this subject
Donatus prefixed to it, are set down as the first contains such an amount of accurate investigation
two epistles, by which arrangement the number is with regard not only to the prelate himself, but also
swelled to eighty-three. Three more were printed to the whole complicated ecclesiastical history of the
by Baluze, which, however, are now admitted to times, as the Annales Cyprianici of Pearson, an
be spurious.
abstract of which has been compiled by Schoene-
The following works are admitted as authentic mann, and will be found in his Bill. Patrum. Lat.
by many editors, although they do not rest on vol. i. pp. 80–100 (c. iii. & 3), and a vast mass
such satisfactory evidence as the foregoing :- of valuable matter is contained in the Dissertationes
1. De Spectaculis liber.
Cyprianicae of Dodwell.
2. De Laude Martyrii ad Moysen et Maximum Compare also Fabric. Bill. Med. et inf. Lat. i.
et ceteros Confessores.
p. 444; Funccius, de L. L. veg. senect. c. x. § 19;
The following works, although frequently found Schröck, Kirchengescht. i. p. 210, and iv. p. 246,
bearing the name of Cyprian, and many of them, &c. ; Lumper, Histor. Theoloy. Crit. pars xi. p. 58,
probably, belonging to the same age, are now re- &c. ; Walch, Bibliotheca Putristica, ed. Danz;
jected by all :-
Gibbon, Decline and Full, c. 16; Milman, History
1. Ad Novatianum Haereticum, quod Lapsis Spes of Christianity, ii. p. 246 ; Rettberg, Thasc. Cäcil.
Veniae non sit deneganda, ascribed by Erasmus to Cyprian dargestellt nach seinem Leben und Wirken,
Cornelius. 2. De Disciplina et bono Pudicitiac, Götting. 1831; Poole, Life and Times of Cyprian,
ascribed in like manner by Erasmus to Cornelius. Oxford, 1840.
[W. R. ]
3. De Aleatoribus. 4. De Montibus Sina et Sion CY'PSELUS (Kúveros), a son of Aepytus,
contra Judaeos. 5. Oratio pro Martyribus — father of Merope and father-in-law of Cres-
Oratio in Die Passionis suae et Confessio S. Cypri- phontes, was king of Basilis on the Alpheius in
ani, assigned by many to Cyprian of Antioch. Arcadia. (Paus. iv. 3. $ 3, viii. 5. SS 4, 8, 29.
6. De Rebaptismate. 7. De Cardinalibus Christi 3 4. )
[L. S. ]
Operibus, now recognized as the work of Arnold, CY'PSELUS, of Corinth, was, according to Hero-
abbot of Bona Vallis. 8. De Singularitate Cleri- dotus (v. 92), a son of Aeëtion, who traced his
9. In Symbolum Apostolicum Erpositio. descent to Caeneus, the companion of Peirithous.
The work of Rufinus. 10. Adversus Judaeos qui Pausanias (ii. 4. & 4, v. 2. & 4, 17. 6 2, and c. 18) de-
Christum insecuti sunt. 11. De Revelatione Capitis scribes Cypselus as a descendant of Melas, who was
B. Jo. Baptistae : in this work mention is made of a natire of Gonusa near Sicyon, and accompanied
the Frankish king Pepin. 12. De Duplici Mar- the Dorians against Corinth. The mother of
tyrio, in which mention is made of the Turks! Cypselus belonged to the house of the Bacchiadae,
13. De Duodecim Abusionibus Saeculi. 14. Dis that is, to the Doric nobility of Corinth. Accord-
posilio Coenae. 15. De Pascha Computus, attributed | ing to the tradition followed by Herodotus, she
to Cyprian by Paulus Diaconus, and found in the married Aection, because, being ugly, she met with
Cottonian MŠ. 16. Three poems, the author or no one among the Bacchiadae who would have her
authors of which are unknown, have been ascribed as his wife. Her marriage remained for some
to Cyprian-Genesis, Sodoma, Ad Senatorem. The time without issue, and when Aeëtion consulted the
first seems to be the same with that assigned by oracle of Delphi about it, a son was promised to
Gennadius to Salvianus, bishop of Marseilles. him, who should prove formidable to the ruling
The editions of Cyprian are very numerous. party at Corinth. When the Bacchiadae were in-
The editio princeps was printed at Rone from a formed of this oracle, which at the same time threw
Parisian MS.
