The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Reticius of Autun
d. c. AD 334 · Bishop of Autun · Judge of the Donatist appeal · Latin exegete · Augustodunum (Autun), Gaul
The Nicene Age
Who Reticius of Autun was
Bishop of the Aedui at Autun, of 'great reputation in Gaul' — one of the three Gaulish judges Constantine named for the Lateran hearing of 313, a subscriber at Arles, and the first Latin commentator on the Song of Songs, with a great volume against Novatian besides. Jerome read the commentary and grumbled at its interpretations; that he read it at all is the tribute.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees and heretics & schismatics.
Common questions
When did Reticius die?
Reticius of Autun is dated d. c. AD 334 in the archive, which places Reticius 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 Reticius write?
Reticius of Autun has 2 catalogued writings in the archive: Commentary on the Song of Songs, and Against Novatian and The Synodal Letter of the Council of Arles to Sylvester of Rome. 1 of these is lost, known only from later citation.
Which early sources mention Reticius?
Reticius of Autun is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from The bishops at Arles, The Council of Arles and Jerome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Reticius from?
The archive associates Reticius of Autun with Augustodunum (Autun), Gaul. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (2)
Commentary on the Song of Songs, and Against Novatian
The first Latin exegesis from Gaul, judged harshly by Jerome and lost entirelyThere is a great commentary of his on the Song of Songs, and another great volume against Novatian. (Jerome, On Illustrious Men 82)Lost — known only from later citation.
The Synodal Letter of the Council of Arles to Sylvester of Rome
AD 314Being united by the common tie of charity… we have been brought to the City of Arles by the wish of the most pious Emperor.Read the interlinear source text →
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Council of Arles subscription list (314)
c. AD 314Reticius, bishop, from the city of Autun.The bishops at Arles · source text
The Synodal Letter of the Council of Arles to Pope Sylvester — the subscription list
c. AD 314To the most beloved Pope Silvester: Marinus, Acratius, Natalis, Theodore, Proterius, Vocius, Verus, Probatius, Caecilian, Faustinus, Surgentius, Gregory, Reticius, Ambitausus, Termatius, Merocles, Pardus, Adelfius, Hibernius, Fortunatus, Aristasius, Lampadius, Vitalis, Maternus, Liberius, Gregory, Crescens, Avitianus, Dafnus, Orantalis, Quintasius, Victor, Epictetus, eternal health in the Lord!The Council of Arles · Letter of the Council of Arles to Sylvester · source text
On Illustrious Men 82
c. AD 393Reticius, bishop of the Aedui at Autun, had a great reputation in Gaul in the reign of Constantine; I have read his commentary on the Song of Songs, and another great volume against Novatian.Jerome · 82 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 268 · Antioch deposes Paul of Samosata, AD 268
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
- 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
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Reticius, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.
- 1Augustodunum
- 2Gaulprovince only