The Library
1780 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
101–200
2 works
c. 198
Greek
Paedagogus
Clement of Alexandria · c. 150–c. 215
Christ as the tutor of ordinary life, with detailed and often amused guidance on eating, drinking, sleeping, laughter, jewellery, bathing, and how to behave at a dinner party.
c. 198–203
Greek
Stromateis
Clement of Alexandria · c. 150–c. 215
Deliberately unsystematic notebooks arguing that philosophy was God's covenant with the Greeks as the law was with the Jews, and sketching the true gnostic — the mature Christian whom knowledge makes loving rather than superior.
201–300
3 works
c. 203
Greek
Quis Dives Salvetur
Clement of Alexandria · c. 150 – c. 215
A sermon on the rich young ruler arguing that the command is to be poor in the soul's attachment rather than in the purse, since a man stripped of property may still be consumed by wanting it. It closes with the story of John and the young man who became a bandit chief, whom the old apostle rode into the hills to reclaim.
c. 249
Latin
De Habitu Virginum
Cyprian of Carthage · c. 210–258
Advice to consecrated women on wealth, cosmetics, jewellery, and mixed bathing, arguing that a life given to God should look different from a wealthy woman's ordinary life.
c. 253
Latin
De Opere et Eleemosynis
Cyprian of Carthage · c. 210–258
An appeal for generosity to the poor, arguing that alms cleanse sins committed after baptism and answering wealthy Christians who plead that they have children to provide for.
301–400
1 work
c. 388–389
Greek
John Chrysostom · c. 347–407
Seven sermons on the rich man and Lazarus, arguing that not sharing surplus wealth is a form of theft from the poor.
401–500
2 works
c. 452
Greek
Gerontius
The life of one of the richest women in the Roman world, who liquidated estates across several provinces, freed thousands of slaves, and settled on the Mount of Olives.
c. 495–498
Latin
De Vita Contemplativa
Julianus Pomerius · d. c. 498
Three books for bishops rather than monks: whether a pastor may own property, how to preach, when to withhold the sacrament, and whether the contemplative life is possible for a man who spends his days on other people's business.
1301–1400
1 work
c. 1405–1410
Middle English
Anonymous
A rich man and a poor man discuss the ten commandments at length, with the poor man arguing that images may teach but must not be worshipped, and that the rich hold their wealth in trust.
9 of 1780 works