The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Basil of Ancyra
d. c. AD 364 (in Illyrian exile) · Physician-bishop of Ancyra · Leader of the Homoiousians · Ancyra, Galatia
The Nicene Age
Who Basil of Ancyra was
The physician set in the deposed Marcellus's chair at Ancyra, who built the Homoiousian centre-party — 'like the Father in essence' — that briefly captured Constantius's ear and drafted the theology of Sirmium's fourth creed. Outmanoeuvred by the Homoians at Seleucia and exiled to Illyricum, he earned the era's strangest tribute: Athanasius himself wrote that men like Basil, differing over one word, were 'not far from us, nor to be treated as enemies, but as brothers.' Typed with the heterodox party here; Athanasius's caveat is the counterweight.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When did Basil die?
Basil of Ancyra is dated d. c. AD 364 (in Illyrian exile) in the archive, which places Basil in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
What did Basil write?
Basil of Ancyra has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: The memorandum of the synod of Ancyra (358).
Which early sources mention Basil?
Basil of Ancyra is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Athanasius of Alexandria and Jerome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Basil from?
The archive associates Basil of Ancyra with Ancyra, Galatia. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (1)
The memorandum of the synod of Ancyra (358)
The Homoiousian manifesto — 'like in essence' — preserved whole by Epiphanius[The synodal letter of Basil and his party survives inside Panarion 73]Read the interlinear source text →
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
On the Councils (De Synodis) 41
c. AD 350Those who accept everything else that was defined at Nicaea, and doubt only about the Coessential, must not be treated as enemies… as Basil, bishop of Ancyra, has written concerning the faith — we discuss the matter with them as brothers with brothers.Athanasius of Alexandria · 41 · source text
On Illustrious Men 89
c. AD 393Basil, bishop of Ancyra, practised medicine before his episcopate; he wrote against Marcellus, and a book On Virginity — a leader of the Macedonian party with Eustathius of Sebaste.Jerome · 89 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
- AD 361 · Julian’s pagan restoration, AD 361
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Basil, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.