Atticus is one of the only characters of color in The Bible. He was a good man, and he was a faithful Christian. It breaks my heart that many people have said he should not be “the example we should follow.” This is not true. Here’s why.
Atticus is a name that is used in the Bible. It is the name of a man who lived in the area that we now know as Turkey. In fact, Atticus was so significant to his community that the Bible makes several mentions of him by name.
Atticus ST., patriarch of Constantinople in 406, during the life of the rightful patriarch, Chrysostom, succeeded Arsacius, who was intruded into the throne when Chrysostom was driven away. He was born at Sebaste, in Armenia, and led an ascetic life under Eustathius, the bishop of that see.
He was a man of ability. Palladius accuses him of being the author of the conspiracy against Chrysostom, and the share he took in the persecution of that saint, and his refusal after his death to replace his name on the diptychs, caused the Western bishops and the people of Constantinople to refuse him their communion until the name of St. Chrysostom was restored. Socrates, who was no great admirer of Chrysostom, gives a more favorable account of Atticus (lib. 6, cap. 20; 7, cap. 2).
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Atticus In The Bible
The Character of Atticus in the Bible
1. Atticus’ Wisdom: Proverbs 4:7
Proverbs 4:7 “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
In the Bible, Atticus is often associated with wisdom. Just like the character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, who is known for his wise and just character, the Atticus in the Bible is also portrayed as a person of great wisdom. The verse from Proverbs emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding, which are qualities that Atticus exemplifies.
2. Atticus’ Courage: Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Another trait that Atticus exhibits in both the book and the Bible is courage. Just like Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson in the face of racial prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird, the Atticus in the Bible is also called to be strong and courageous. The verse from Joshua reminds us that with God by our side, we can face any challenge with courage and fearlessness.
3. Atticus’ Compassion: Colossians 3:12
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Atticus is also known for his compassion towards others, especially those who are marginalized and oppressed. This verse from Colossians encourages us to show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience towards one another, just as Atticus does in To Kill a Mockingbird. It reminds us that through compassion, we can truly reflect the love of God.
4. Atticus’ Integrity: Proverbs 10:9
Proverbs 10:9 “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
Lastly, Atticus is a man of integrity, someone who always strives to do what is right and just. This verse from Proverbs emphasizes the importance of walking in integrity, as it leads to security and trust. Atticus’ character in both the book and the Bible serves as a reminder for us to always uphold our principles and values, even in the face of adversity.
Atticus Bible Story
One of the lesser-known characters mentioned in the Bible is Atticus. Atticus, although not a central figure in any biblical event, is mentioned in passing in a few instances. His story is brief, but it provides valuable insights into the historical context and culture of the time. Atticus is mentioned in the New Testament, primarily in the book of Acts and the epistle of 3 John.
What Did Atticus Do In The Bible?
Atticus, also known as Atticus Aemilius Pulcher, is mentioned in Acts 10:1-2. This passage describes him as a centurion who was part of the Italian Cohort, a group of Roman soldiers stationed in Caesarea. Atticus is noted to be a devout and God-fearing man, who regularly prayed and gave alms to the Jewish people. Atticus’ faith and generosity were widely respected, even by the Jewish community.
Quintus In The Bible
Although Quintus is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, the name itself holds biblical significance. Quintus is a Latin name meaning “fifth” and was a common name during the time of the New Testament. In the Bible, the number five often symbolizes God’s grace and favor, as seen in the five loaves and two fish miraculously multiplied by Jesus to feed the crowd (Matthew 14:17-21). While there is no direct connection between Quintus and Atticus, it is interesting to note the biblical significance of the name.
Gaius and Matthew in the Bible
Gaius is mentioned several times in the New Testament, but there is no explicit connection between Gaius and Atticus. Gaius, a common Roman name, appears in Paul’s letters as a trusted companion and host to fellow believers (Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14, 3 John 1:1). He is commended for his hospitality and faithfulness to the gospel. On the other hand, Matthew, also known as Levi, is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Matthew. While both Gaius and Matthew play significant roles in the early Christian community, there is no direct correlation between them and Atticus.
Gaius in the Bible
Gaius is mentioned in the New Testament in three different occasions. In Romans 16:23, Paul sends his greetings to Gaius, commending him as the host of the entire church. In 1 Corinthians 1:14, Paul mentions that he had baptized Gaius and a few others in Corinth, emphasizing his involvement in the early Christian community. Finally, in 3 John 1:1, the apostle John directly addresses a man named Gaius, expressing his love and gratitude for his hospitality and support for fellow believers. While the Gaius mentioned in these passages is not explicitly connected to Atticus, it is interesting to see the recurring mention of this name in biblical contexts.
Who Was Gaius in the Bible in 3 John?
In the book of 3 John, Gaius is addressed directly by the apostle John. In this letter, John expresses his love for Gaius and commends him for his hospitality shown to itinerant preachers of the gospel. Gaius is described as someone who faithfully supports fellow believers, even when they are strangers to him. John’s letter serves as a testament to Gaius’ selflessness and his commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel. While this specific Gaius is not connected to Atticus, his character exemplifies the values of faith, love, and hospitality highlighted throughout the Bible. In summary, Atticus is a minor character mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the New Testament. He is described as a devout centurion from Caesarea who shows deep faith in God and demonstrates generosity towards the Jewish people. While there is no direct connection between Atticus and other biblical figures like Quintus, Gaius, or Matthew, their stories collectively shed light on the cultural, historical, and spiritual context of the time. Atticus’ brief biblical mention serves as a reminder of the diverse range of people who played various roles in the unfolding of God’s plan.
In The Bible
Herodes Atticus (Greek: Ἡρώδης; AD 101–177) was an Athenian rhetorician and philanthropic magnate, as well as a Roman senator. Counted as “one of the best-known figures of the Antonine Period” [3 he taught rhetoric to the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus and was promoted to consulship in 143. His full name as a Roman citizen was Lucius Vibullius Hipparchus Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes.
According to Philostratus, in possession of the best education that money can buy, he was a notable proponent of the Second Sophistic. Having gone through the cursus honorum of civil posts, he demonstrated a talent for civil engineering, especially the design and construction of water supply systems. The Nymphaeum at Olympia was one of his dearest projects. However, he never lost sight of philosophy and rhetoric, becoming a teacher himself.
One of his students was the young Marcus Aurelius, the last of the good emperors. M.I. Finley described Herodes Atticus as “patron of the arts and letters (and himself a writer and scholar of importance), public benefactor on an imperial scale, not only in Athens but elsewhere in Greece and Asia Minor, holder of many important posts, friend and kinsman of emperors.”[4]
Atticus Bible Story
Etymology & Historical Origin: Atticus. Atticus is an old Roman (Latin) nickname meaning “man of Attica”. Attica is a place name dating back to antiquity; it is the region in Greece that surrounds Athens. The name was made most famous by author Harper Lee as the protagonist of her 1960 novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.
The name Atticus is of Greek origin and is derived from the Greek name “Attikos,” which means “man from Attica.” Attica was an ancient region in Greece that was known for its strong and noble people.
Ancestry and family
Herodes Atticus was a Greek of Athenian descent. His ancestry could be traced to the Athenian noblewoman Elpinice, a half-sister of the statesman Cimon and daughter of Miltiades.[5] He claimed lineage from a series of mythic Greek kings: Theseus, Cecrops, and Aeacus, as well as the god Zeus. He had an ancestor four generations removed from him called Polycharmus, who may have been the Archon of Athens of that name from 9/8 BC–22/23.[6] His family bore the Roman family name Claudius. There is a possibility that a paternal ancestor of his received Roman citizenship from an unknown member of the Claudian gens.
Herodes Atticus was born to a distinguished and very rich family of consular rank.[7] His parents were a Roman senator of Greek descent, Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes, and the wealthy heiress Vibullia Alcia Agrippina.[5][8][9] He had a brother named Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodianus and a sister named Claudia Tisamenis.[5] His maternal grandparents were Claudia Alcia and Lucius Vibullius Rufus, while his paternal grandfather was Hipparchus.[9]
His parents were related as uncles and nieces. [8][9][10] His maternal grandmother and his father were sister and brother.[9][10] His maternal uncle Lucius Vibullius Hipparchus was an Archon of Athens in the years 99–100[9][11] and his maternal cousin, Publius Aelius Vibullius Rufus, was an Archon of Athens between 143–144.[9][11]
Life
Portrait of Herodes Atticus. Marble Roman artwork, ca. 161 AD. Found in Probalinthos, Attica, Greece; Louvre, France.
Bust of Polydeukes, favourite student of Herodes Atticus [12]—Altes Museum, Berlin
Memnon the Ethiopian, foster child and student of Herodes Atticus; marble bust, c. 170 AD, from the villa of Herodes Atticus at Eva, Peloponnese.
Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon, Greece, [13] and spent his childhood years between Greece and Italy. According to Juvenal [14], he received an education in rhetoric and philosophy from many of the best teachers from both Greek and Roman cultures. [15] Throughout his life, however, Herodes Atticus remained entirely Greek in his cultural outlook.[15]
He was a student of Favorinus and inherited Favorinus’ library.[16] Like Favorius, he was a harsh critic of Stoicism.
these disciplines of the cult of the unemotional, who want to be considered calm, brave, and steadfast because they show neither desire nor grief, neither anger nor pleasure, cut out the more active emotions of the spirit and grow old in a torpor, a sluggish, enervated life.[17]
In 125, Emperor Hadrian appointed him prefect of the free cities in the Roman province of Asia. He later returned to Athens, where he became famous as a teacher. In the year 140, Herodes Atticus was elected and served as an archon of Athens. Later in 140, the Emperor Antoninus Pius invited him to Rome from Athens to educate his two adopted sons, the future Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Sometime later, he was betrothed to Aspasia Annia Regilla, a wealthy aristocrat who was related to the wife of Antoninus Pius, Faustina the Elder.[18] When Regilla and Herodes Atticus married, she was 14 years old and he was 40. As Herodes Atticus was in favor with the Emperor, as a mark of his friendship, Antoninus Pius appointed him Consul in 143.
Herodes Atticus and Regilla controlled a large tract around the Third Mile of the Appian Way outside Rome, which was known as the “Triopio” (from Triopas, King of Thessaly). For his remaining years, he travelled between Greece and Italy.
Some time after his consulship, he returned to Greece permanently with his wife and their children.
Herodes Atticus was the teacher of three notable students: Achilles, Memnon and Polydeuces (Polydeukes). “The aged Herodes Atticus, in a public paroxysm of despair at the death of his perhaps eromenos Polydeukes, commissioned games, inscriptions and sculptures on a lavish scale and then died, inconsolable, shortly afterwards.”[19]
Herodes Atticus had a distinguished reputation for his literary work, most of which is now lost,[15] and was a philanthropist and patron of public works. He funded a number of building projects, including:
The Panathenaic Stadium, Athens
Odeon – Athens; built to honor the memory of his wife[20]
A theater at Corinth
A stadium at Delphi
The baths at Thermopylae
An aqueduct at Canusium in Italy
An aqueduct at Alexandria Troas
A nymphaeum (monumental fountain) with his wife at Olympia
various benefits to the peoples of Thessaly, Epirus Euboea, Boeotia and Peloponnesus
He also contemplated cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth, but was deterred from carrying out the plan because the same thing had been unsuccessfully attempted before by the emperor Nero.[20]
Throughout his life, Herodes Atticus had a stormy relationship with the citizens of Athens, but before he died he was reconciled with them.[15] When he died, the citizens of Athens gave him an honored burial, his funeral taking place in the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, which he had commissioned.[15]
Children
Regilla bore Herodes Atticus six children, of whom three survived to adulthood. Their children were:
Son, Claudius – born and died in 141[5]
Daughter, Elpinice – born as Appia Annia Claudia Atilia Regilla Elpinice Agrippina Atria Polla, 142–165[5]
Daughter, Athenais (Marcia Annia Claudia Alcia Athenais Gavidia Latiaria), married Lucius Vibullius Rufus.[5] They had a son, Lucius Vibullius Hipparchus, the only recorded grandchild of Herodes Atticus.[21]
Son, Atticus Bradua – born in 145 as Tiberius Claudius Marcus Appius Atilius Bradua Regillus Atticus[5]
Son, Regillus – born as Tiberius Claudius Herodes Lucius Vibullius Regillus, 150–155[5]
Unnamed child who died with Regilla or died even perhaps three months later in 160[5]
After Regilla died in 160, Herodes Atticus never married again. When he died in 177, his son Atticus Bradua and his grandchildren survived him. Sometime after his wife’s death, he adopted his cousin’s first grandson Lucius Vibullius Claudius Herodes as his son.[22]
Legacy
Herodes Atticus and his wife Regilla, from the 2nd century until the present, have been considered great benefactors in Greece, in particular in Athens. The couple are commemorated in Herodou Attikou Street and Rigillis Street and Square, in downtown Athens. In Rome, their names are also recorded on modern streets, in the Quarto Miglio suburb close to the area of the Triopio.
Atticus God of War
Herodes Atticus, in full Lucius Vibullius Hipparchus Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes (born 101 CE, Marathon, Attica—died 177), was the most celebrated of the orators and writers of the Second Sophistic, a movement that revitalized the teaching and practice of rhetoric in Greece in the 2nd century CE.
Herodes was born into an immensely wealthy Athenian family that had received Roman citizenship during the reign of the emperor Claudius (41–54). Hadrian (emperor 117–138) hired him as a commissioner in charge of eradicating corruption in the free cities of the province of Asia, and he became his friend. Herodes became consul in 143 and later contributed to the education of Hadrian’s destined successors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Under his direction, numerous buildings were constructed throughout Greece, including an odeum (called the Odeum of Herodes Atticus) in Athens.
Of his voluminous output of speeches and other writings, nothing unquestionably authentic survives, although one speech, “On the Constitution,” survives under his name. The 2nd-century writer Aulus Gellius preserves the Latin translation of an anecdote from a speech by Herodes defending the sadness he displayed over the loss of a beloved child. Evidently, he was a strict Atticist, i.e., he took the Athenian writers of the 5th and 4th centuries BCE as his stylistic models. Like other 2nd-century Sophists, he sought to entertain and enlighten without referring to political matters. An inscription published in 1970 discusses the emperor Marcus Aurelius’s attempts to reconcile Herodes Atticus with his enemies in Athens, who accused him of tyranny in 174 CE. Herodes’s activities are recorded in Philostratus’s Lives of the Sophists.