Celsus of Pergamum: Locating a Critic of Early Christianity

lēthēs Logos of Celsus, preserved in large part with Origen’s response in Contra Celsum, is the most signifi cant extant second-century literary attack on Christianity. Celsus attacked Christianity not only for philosophic reasons, but also because he was alarmed about social consequences of the spread of Christianity. His book was occasioned by Christians refusing to honor the cults of the Roman Empire, avoiding military service, and even seeking martyrdom (for Greek text, see Borret 1967–76; for English translation, see Chadwick 1953). To understand fully Celsus’ experience of Christians and his view of this threat to society as he perceived it, one would need to know where he lived. Rome, Alexandria, and Caesarea Maritima have all been proposed as Celsus’ residence. But, as this paper will show, these three cities are quite improbable; the evidence strongly indicates that Celsus lived in Pergamum in Asia Minor. In the following sections, fi rst, we briefl y consider whether and how it matters where Celsus lived. Th en, we show that Rome, Alexandria, and Caesarea as proposed homes for Celsus are each highly improbable. Finally, the converging evidence points to Pergamum. WHY LOCATE CELSUS?