Secord, Jared2019-10-292019-10-292012-01Secord, J. (2012). The Cultural Geography of a Greek Christian: Irenaeus from Smyrna to Lyons. In S. Parvis & P. Foster (Eds.), Irenaeus: life, scripture, legacy. (1-15). Minneapolis : Fortress Press.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/111185Though he was a Christian and a long-term resident of Roman Gaul, Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 125 – 202 CE) looked at the world and its geography in much the same way that his elite, pagan contemporaries did. His references to Gaul are all made in terms of the classical conventions of Greek geography, and he made no assumption that his Christian readers would have any familiarity with Western Europe. He likewise referred derisively to Latin as a “barbarian language,” though he made it clear that he spent most of his time speaking it in Lyons, rather than his native Greek. Irenaeus’ career thus serves both of an example of the early “Latinization” of the Christian Church in Western Europe, and as a demonstration of the growing influence of elite intellectual pretensions in Christianity, only two generations after the time of the Apostles.Unless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Irenaeus of LyonsRoman Gaulbook part10.11575/PRISM/37223