Primary source · Latin
Against the Donatists (De Schismate Donatistarum)
Optatus of Milevis · c. AD 367–385
What this text is
The first full anti-Donatist history and theology — the schism's documents assembled, the church defined by communion not purity — the armoury Augustine would inherit.
Profile of Optatus of Milevis →
Public-domain translations
Literal gloss of the Latin (II.2; I.4)
You cannot deny that upon Peter first, in the city of Rome, was conferred the episcopal chair, in which sat the head of all the apostles… The schism was brought forth by the anger of a woman, nursed by ambition, and strengthened by avarice.
Manuscript witnesses
Paris, BnF lat. 1711 and companions
medieval copiesThe seven books with the appendix dossier — trial records of the schism's origins that only this transmission preserves.
Provenance
Milevis, Numidia, c. AD 367 (revised c. 385) — against Parmenian, with the documentary appendix
Editions & scholarship
Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.
- Optat de Milève: Traité contre les donatistes (SC 412–413)Mireille Labrousse, 1995–1996The critical edition with French translation.
- Optatus: Against the Donatists (TTH 27)Mark Edwards, 1997Annotated English translation with the appendix.