THASCI CAECILI CYPRIANI DE MORTALITATE: A Commentary, with an Introduction and Translation [Catholic University of America Patristic Studies XXXVI]

xii, 103pp. + ads. 12mo in printed wraps. Overhanging 'yapp' of the covers shows some wear, owner's blindstamp to title page, text very clean and sharp. Cyprian was Bishop of Carthage from 248 AD till his martyrdom by Valerian in 258. His 'De Mortalitate' or 'On The Plague' was written in the midst of an Empire-wide pandemic of a viral hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. His treatis is the earliest example of Christian 'Consolatory' literature in Latin. In it, he commends to his parishoners a spirit of courage in light of eternal life awaiting them after death; and concommitantly an ethic of care and compassion for their suffering neighbors, including pagans outside of the church. His mobilization of the faithful to mutual aid is credited for a great subsequent conversion of the impoverished masses to the church. It is also seen as an early example of the medical ethic that characterized the early Christians and inspired the rise of hospitals. Hannan's translation and commentary was never reprinted and is quite scarce in trade.…