The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Sabinus the Numidian
fl. AD 320 (death unrecorded) · Bishop in Numidia · Cirta (Constantina), Numidia
The Nicene Age
Who Sabinus the Numidian was
A Numidian bishop, the third of the letter-writers read into evidence. He wrote to Silvanus rebuking him for how he had treated the deacon he himself had raised and ordained, and separately to Fortis, pressing him to act before Easter. Distinct from Sabinus of Hispalis, who subscribed at Elvira.
Named once, in the Gesta apud Zenophilum — the Cirta records of 19 May 303 and 13 December 320; no other ancient source names him.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When was Sabinus active?
Sabinus the Numidian is dated fl. AD 320 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Sabinus in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Sabinus?
Sabinus the Numidian is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Gesta apud Zenophilum. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Sabinus from?
The archive associates Sabinus the Numidian with Cirta (Constantina), Numidia. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Sabinus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Sabinus the Numidian to 3 other figures, including Silvanus of Cirta, Fortis and Nundinarius. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
The trial before Domitius Zenophilus, 13 December 320
c. AD 320‘I am surprised at your lordship, that you have acted thus with your son, whom you brought up and ordained. For if an earthly building has been erected, is not something heavenly added to it, which is built by the hand of a priest?’Gesta apud Zenophilum · Gesta apud Zenophilum, trial of 13 December 320 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
- AD 251 · The Novatianist schism, AD 251
- AD 257 · The Valerian persecution, AD 257
- AD 260 · Gallienus’ edict of toleration, AD 260
- 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
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Sabinus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.