Tatianus

Tatianus was a Syriac Christian apologist and polemicist who lived in the 2nd century CE. He is best known for his work, the Diatessaron, a harmony of the four Gospels that was widely used in early Christianity. Tatianus was a student of Justin Martyr, another prominent Christian apologist.

Born in Assyria, Tatianus converted to Christianity later in life, having previously engaged with various philosophical schools. His early intellectual background heavily influenced his Christian apologetic writings. He sought to defend Christianity against pagan accusations and to demonstrate its intellectual coherence.

The Diatessaron, created around 170 CE, is a significant contribution to the textual history of the New Testament. It blended passages from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John into a single, continuous narrative. This work was particularly popular in Syriac-speaking churches and remained in use for centuries, even after the individual Gospels gained wider acceptance.

Tatianus also wrote a work titled "Oration to the Greeks" (or "Address to the Greeks"), which is a defense of Christianity and a critique of Greek philosophy and pagan religion. In this text, he addresses the perceived superiority of Christian teachings and morality compared to those of classical antiquity. His writings reflect a polemical style, aiming to refute opposing viewpoints directly.

Later in his life, Tatianus is believed to have joined the Encratites, an ascetic movement that advocated abstinence from certain worldly pleasures, including marriage and the consumption of wine. This association led to some controversy and influenced how his legacy was perceived by later church authorities. Despite this, his Diatessaron played a crucial role in shaping the early understanding and dissemination of the New Testament Gospels.