The Patrologia Latina · The First Volume
Tertullian
Migne opened his thousand-year collection with the oldest Latin voice in the Church. Volume 1 gathers thirteen of Tertullian’s works: his great defense of the faith and his earliest writing on Christian life, set down in Carthage near the close of the second century. We are translating every one into English.
About this volume
The first Latin theologian, in one binding
Tertullian (155 to 220 AD) was the first major Christian writer to work in Latin, and he all but invented the vocabulary the western Church would use for centuries. Migne devoted the opening two volumes of the Patrologia Latina entirely to him. Volume 1 holds his apologetic works, written to defend Christians before a hostile empire, together with his earliest treatises on prayer, baptism, repentance, and the shape of a Christian life.
As across the whole project, we translate the original works only. Migne’s nineteenth-century prefaces, dissertations, and footnotes are left aside. What you will read here is Tertullian.
Where to start
Three to begin with
Our favorite
On Baptism
De Baptismo
The oldest surviving Christian treatise on baptism, and where our translation of Tertullian began.
Read →The landmark
The Apology
Apologeticus
His most famous work: the classic defense of Christianity to the Roman world.
Read →The most unusual
The Testimony of the Soul
De Testimonio Animae
A short, ingenious argument that the soul, in its everyday speech, already testifies to God.
Read →The contents
Thirteen works
In the order Migne printed them. Each is being prepared as a free English reader. We will open them here as they are published.
- 01
The Apology Apologeticus
Tertullian’s landmark defense of Christianity to the Roman magistrates, dismantling the charges used to justify persecution.
50 ch. Read free → - 02
To the Heathen Ad Nationes
Two books that turn the pagans’ own accusations back on themselves.
37 ch. Read free → - 03
The Testimony of the Soul De Testimonio Animae
How the soul’s instinctive speech bears witness to one God.
6 ch. Read free → - 04
To the Martyrs Ad Martyres
Words of courage for Christians imprisoned and awaiting death.
6 ch. Read free → - 05
The Shows De Spectaculis
Why the believer walks away from the games, the theatre, and the arena.
30 ch. Read free → - 06
On Idolatry De Idololatria
How idolatry threads through ordinary Roman work and daily life.
24 ch. Read free → - 07
To Scapula Ad Scapulam
An open letter warning a persecuting governor of the judgment to come.
5 ch. Read free → - 08
On Prayer De Oratione
One of the earliest Christian commentaries on the Lord’s Prayer.
29 ch. Read free → - 09
On Baptism De Baptismo
The oldest surviving Christian treatise on baptism.
20 ch. Read free → - 10
On Repentance De Poenitentia
On repentance before and after baptism.
12 ch. Read free → - 11
On Patience De Patientia
A study of patience by a man who openly confesses he lacks it.
16 ch. Read free → - 12
To His Wife Ad Uxorem
Two books to his wife on widowhood and remarriage.
18 ch. Read free → - 13
The Apparel of Women De Cultu Foeminarum
On modesty, dress, and adornment.
22 ch. Read free →
Every translation here will be free to read. A modern, readable edition of Tertullian will follow as a paid volume, and it is what funds the work.
Follow the translation
Subscribe and we will send new works as their English editions are published, volume by volume across the whole Patrologia.
Get translation updates