De Viris Illustribus

Book excerpt: 'De Viris Illustribus' is not St. Jerome's Magnum Opus. It offers brief biographies of some of the primary figures of the Christianity prior ot the year 400. It offers short glimpses into the narrative Christianity was composing about its own origins in the century following its de-criminilization. In a larger sense, it does perhaps represent some of St. Jerome's dual intellectual passions. The literary style that he employs is new for a churchman of his era, as it is a compilation of various hagiographies, abridged for the sake of the reader. Yet, the 'Coeur et Amina' of this literary style is perhaps more akin to great Latin orators, such as Cicero and Cato, whom St. Jerome held in the highest of esteem in his youth. In this way, 'De Viris Illustribus' serves as the first of many hybrids between pagan rhetoric and Christian piety.