Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T14:13:24.025Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Melania the Elder: A Biographical Note

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2016

Francis X. Murphy*
Affiliation:
Mt. St. Alphonsus, Esopus, N. Y.

Extract

Thanks to several biographical studies based on Cardinal Rampolla's monumental Santa Melania giuniore, senatrice Romana, the history of the early-fifth-century heiress and ascetic, Melania the Younger, is fairly well known. Her grandmother, Melania the Elder was an even more notable figure in the history of the Church during the second half of the fourth century. She is of particular importance in tracing the history of late-fourth-century asceticism and monasticism. Round her career, in a way, revolve many of the historical and chronological problems in connection with Jerome and Rufinus of Aquileia, Paulinus of Nola and Severus Sulpicius. Details of her travels are our surest approach to datings and to the authenticity of much of the material found in Palladius' Lausiac History. At the same time, she was an extremely interesting, well-travelled, and forceful figure coming at the apex of the western patristic period. Hence her career bears pointed scrutiny.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © 1947 by Cosmopolitan Science & Art Service Co., Inc. 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Cardinale Rampolla del Tindaro, M., Santa Melania giuniore, senatrice Romana: documenti contemporanei e note (Rome 1905). It contains the Latin text of the vita discovered by the Cardinal in the Escorial in 1884, a Greek vita (published by H. Delehaye in the Anal. Bolland. 22 [1900] 7–49) together with an Italian translation, a Greek fragment of the Lausiac History of Palladius and copious notes.Google Scholar

2 See Goyau, G., Mélanie la jeune (Paris 1908); da Persico, E., Die hl. Melania die Jüngere (Berlin 1912); and the abridged translation of Cardinal Rampolla's Life of St. Melania (ed. Thurston, H., London 1908).Google Scholar

3 Cf. Freemantle, W., Dict. of Christian Biography 3 (London 1882) 888889; Butler, C., Lausiac History of Palladius (Texts and Studies 6, Cambridge 1898 and 1904) II, 134–136; 146–149, and notes 85–88, 92–97 and additions to note 94; PWK 15 (1931) 455 s. v. ‘Melania’ (2); Murphy, F., Rufinus of Aquileia (Washington 1945) 31–55; 155–157; Schwartz, E., ‘Palladiana,’ Zeitsch. f. neutest. Wissenschaft (ZntW) 36 (1937) 161–204.Google Scholar

4 Jer. Ep. 133 (to Ctesiphon, CSEL 56, 246); for the difficulties about Origen, see Cavallera, F., Saint Jérôme, sa vie et son oeuvre (Louvain 1922) I, 193286.Google Scholar

5 Ruf. Apol. 2, 26 (PL 21, 605): ‘post id de exemplaribus suis erasit cum actus suos vidisset districtioris disciplinae feminae displicere.’ Google Scholar

6 Jer. Chronici canones 329 (ed. Fotheringham, J., London 1923). There is no evidence of such an erasure in any of the codices that have come down to us; hence the editor concludes that Jerome did not issue a new edition, but merely changed a few of the last pages of his own manuscript (op. cit. xxv, iv).Google Scholar

7 Jer. Ep. 39, 7 (CSEL 54, 301).Google Scholar

8 Baronius, , Annales eccles. 4 (Antwerp, 2 ed. 1601) 342, 680.Google Scholar

9 AA.SS. Jan. 1 (Antwerp 1635) 354.Google Scholar

10 Ibid. Jun. 2, 52.Google Scholar

11 de Tillemont, Le Nain, Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire ecclésiastique 10 (Paris 1725) 591613 and notes, p. 821ff. J. Stilting (AA.SS. Sept. 8 [Antwerp 1762] 418–419) takes Tillemont severely to task for his strictures on Jerome over the latter's treatment of Melania along with Rufinus, Ambrose, etc. Google Scholar

12 Paulinus, , Epp. 28, 29, 31, 45 (to Aug.) (ed. Hartel, , CSEL 29).Google Scholar

13 Paulinus, , Ep. 29, 5 (CSEL 29, 251).Google Scholar

14 Palladius, , Lausiac History (Butler's, HL ed.) 46, 54 and 55 (pp. 134–136; 146–149). Butler, following a MS rubric, listed chapter 55 as of Silvania. But C. H. Turner in his review of Butler's work (Journal of Theol. 6 [1905] 356–353) suggested that the chapter really is a continuation of chapter 54, and thus belongs to Melania the Elder. Butler readily accepted this attribution (JTS 7 [1906] 309). He also discusses the variant spellings of the name Melania (HL II, 222, n. 85).Google Scholar

15 In chapters 5, 9, 10, 18, Palladius quotes Melania for events that had taken place before his arrival in Nitria.—Born in Galatia in 363 or 364, Palladius took up the monastic life in 386 or so, coming up to Jerusalem, where he joined the monk Innocent on the Mount of Olives and where he met Melania the Elder, Rufinus, Jerome, etc. He spent the years 390 to 399 in the Egyptian desert, finally retiring to Alexandria because of ill health. In 400, he was consecrated Bishop of Helenopolis in Bithynia, probably by John Chrysostom, whose ally he proved to be, travelling in his behalf to Rome in 405. There he incidentally met all of Melania's family. Upon returning East, he fell victim to persecution; in 417 he was made Bishop of the See of Aspuna. He wrote his History—a series of biographical sketches of the monks in the Egyptian desert—for a certain Lausus, chamberlain at the court of Theodosius II. His accounts are fairly accurate despite occasional slips of memory, due in good part to the lapse of years between his experiences and the writing of them. Cf. Butler, HL I, 179–183 and II append. V, ii, for the account of his life. For his historical accuracy, id. I, 178–196. Peeters, P., ‘Une vie copte de S. Jean de Lycopole,’ Anal. Bolland. 54 (1936) 369371, offers a severe critique of Palladius’ accuracy, and of Butler's defense thereof; which is echoed in Telfer, W., ‘The Trustworthiness of Palladius,’ JTS 38 (1937) 379–382. But Peeters as well as Telfer are much too exacting of both Palladius and Butler. See in contrast Schwartz, E., ‘Palladiana,’ ZntW 36 (1937) 161–203.Google Scholar

16 Pallad. HL 46 (Butler 134). The English translation is based upon Clarke, W. L. K., The Lausiac History of Palladius (London 1918).Google Scholar

17 Jer. Chron. Abraham 2390, Valentin. 10 (ed. Fotheringham, p. 329).Google Scholar

18 Ruf. Apol. 2, 26 (PL 21, 605).Google Scholar

19 Paul. Ep. 29, 8 (CSEL 29, 253).Google Scholar

20 Cf. CIL 3 (Berlin 1898) 12230; Liebenam, W., Fasti Consulares 36 (Kleine Texte 41, Bonn 1909).Google Scholar

21 Baronius, , Annal. eccles. 4, 712713.Google Scholar

22 Rampolla, , Santa Mel. giun. 106; cf. n. 20 above.Google Scholar

23 Codex Theod. 11, 3, 1 (ed. Meyer, and Mommsen, , Berlin 1905, p. 581); 11, 12, 1 (p. 594); cf. Seeck, O., Regesten der Kaiser und Päpste (Stuttgart 1919) 145, 188–189; PWK 142 (Stuttgart 1930) 1442 s. v. ‘Antonius Marcellinus’.Google Scholar

24 Rampolla, , op. cit. 106107.Google Scholar

25 Aus. Ep. 23 (MGH, auct. ant. 5); cf. Sid. Apollin. Carmen 22 (ibid. 8); Uranius, , Ep. ad Pacatum (PL 53, 859).Google Scholar

26 Rampolla, , op. cit. 176–180; cf. Murphy, , Rufinus 3234 for further references.Google Scholar

27 Paul. Ep. 29, 5 (CSEL 29, 251).Google Scholar

28 Beissel, S., ‘Die Hingabe eines ausserordentlich grossen Vermögens,’ Stimmen aus Maria Laach 61 (1906) 477490, esp. p. 481.Google Scholar

29 Cf. Murphy, , op. cit. 3241.Google Scholar

30 Schwartz, E., ZntW 36 (1937) 166167, n. 10.Google Scholar

31 Pallad. HL 46 (Butler 135).Google Scholar

32 Ibid. 54 (Butler 146).Google Scholar

33 Ibid. p. 226227.Google Scholar

34 Ibid. 46 (Butler 134).Google Scholar

35 Jer. Chron. 329.Google Scholar

36 Cf. McGuire, M., ‘A New Study on the Political Role of St. Ambrose,’ Cath. Histor. Rev. 22 (1936) 313314.Google Scholar

37 Jer. Ep. 39, 4 (CSEL 54, 300).Google Scholar

38 Paul. Ep. 29, 8 (CSEL 29, 253–254).Google Scholar

39 Ibid. Google Scholar

40 Pallad. HL 46 (Butler, 134).Google Scholar

41 Rampolla op. cit. 115–116 and 147; cf. PWK Supplem. 6 (Stuttgart 1931) 669 s. v. ‘Valerius Maximus’.Google Scholar

42 Paul. Ep. 29, 11 (CSEL 29, 257–258); Palladius, HL 46 (Butler 135).Google Scholar

43 Paul. ibid. 8 (CSEL 29, 253–254).Google Scholar

44 Palladius, , ibid. Google Scholar

45 Cf. Schwartz, E., op. cit. 167.Google Scholar

46 Paul. ibid. 10: ‘Multa illi et in ipsius huius militiae rudimentis adversus draconem invidum fuere certamina … sed tota nobilium propinquorum potentia ad retinendum armata propositum inpedire et eunti obstare conatus est. sed illa ultra virtutem temptationum iam confortata et corporea pietatis vincula et navem cunctis flentibus laeta solvit … navigavit et simul saeculum orbemque commutans urbem Hierusalem spiritali dono … elegit … civis effecta sanctorum.’ Google Scholar

47 Jer. Ep. 39, 4 (CSEL 54, 300–301).Google Scholar

48 Cf. Schwartz, E., op. cit. 167, where he discusses the competency of the Prefect of the City to undertake such an office.Google Scholar

49 Rampolla, , op. cit. 118119.Google Scholar

50 Paul. Ep. 29, 9 (CSEL 29, 255–257); the reference is to I Reg. 3.1.Google Scholar

51 Cf. Jer. Ep. 4, 2 (CSEL 54, 20).Google Scholar

52 Villain, M., ‘Rufin d'Aquilée, étudiant et moine,’ Nouvelle Revue théologique (NRTh) 64 (1937) 3033.Google Scholar

53 Cf. Jer. Chron. (ed. Fotheringham, ) p. 369, where Jerome speaks of Melania's leaving for the East in the same year as he lauds Rufinus and his companions: ‘Aquileienses clerici quasi chorus beatorum habentur.’ Google Scholar

54 Cf. Murphy, , Rufinus 822.Google Scholar

55 Cf. Bardy, G., Saint Athanase (Paris 1924) 44, 48–49.Google Scholar

56 Cavallera, F., Saint Jérôme (n. 4) II, 1213.Google Scholar

67 Ruf. Apol. 1, 4 (PL 21, 543).Google Scholar

58 Rufinus in his Ecclesiastical History 2, 3 (ed. Mommsen, , Eusebius Werke II, ii, Leipzig 1909, p. 1005) tells us that immediately upon the death of Athanasius (May 3, 373) a persecution broke out in Alexandria, led by the Arian usurper Lucius; Rufinus maintains that he himself was a victim of this persecution, ibid. 4 (1004–1005): ‘quae praesens vidi loquor; et eorum gesta refero, quorum in passionibus socius esse promerui …’; Cf. also Apol. ad Anast. 2 (PL 21, 624).Google Scholar

59 Paul. Ep. 28, 5 (CSEL 29, 246).Google Scholar

60 Villain, M., NRTh 64 (1937), 3032.Google Scholar

61 Jer. Ep. 3, 1 (CSEL 54, 13).Google Scholar

62 Jer. ibid. 3.Google Scholar

63 Jer. Ep. 4, 2 (CSEL 54, 20).Google Scholar

64 Jer. Ep. 5, 2 (CSEL 54, 21–22).Google Scholar

65 Cf. Murphy, , Rufinus 4244.Google Scholar

66 HL 46 (Butler 135) Google Scholar

67 Cf. Butler, HL II, 187; Evelyn-White, H., Monasteries of the Wadi ‘n Natrun (New York 1926–1933) II, 7782.Google Scholar

68 Palladius, HL 10 (Butler 30).Google Scholar

69 Cf. Butler, , HL I, 179.Google Scholar

70 Palladius, HL 18.Google Scholar

71 Paul. Ep. 29, 5 (CSEL 29, 251).Google Scholar

72 Cf. note 58 above.Google Scholar

78 Ruf. HE 2, 4 (Mommsen 1003–1004).Google Scholar

74 Cf. Murphy, , Rufinus 4144.Google Scholar

75 HL 46 (Butler 134–135).Google Scholar

76 Paul. Ep. 29, 11 (CSEL 29, 257–258).Google Scholar

77 HL 46 (Butler 135).Google Scholar

78 Seek, O., Regesten 249, gives the end of 377 for the return of the exiles. Rufinus, however, seems to connect it with the inroads of the Goths into Thrace which forced Valens to leave Antioch (HE 2, 13, Mommsen 1019–1020); Schwartz (ZntW 36, 166) puts it in 378 after the battle of Adrianople.Google Scholar

79 Cf. Murphy, , Rufinus 4752.Google Scholar

80 HL 46 (Butler 134).Google Scholar

81 Cf. Schiwietz, S., Das morgenländische Mönchtum: II: Das Mönchtum auf Sinai und in Palästina im vierten Jahrhundert (Mainz 1913) 192193.Google Scholar

82 Cf. Vincent, H. and Abel, F. M., Jérusalem, recherches de topographie, etc. II (Paris 1914) 337392; Pirot, L., ‘Ascension, église de l',’ Dict. de la bible, supplém. 1 (1928) 628–644.Google Scholar

83 Palladius, HL 54 (Butler 146).Google Scholar

84 Cf. Ruf. Praef. ad regulas Bas. (PL 103, 486).Google Scholar

85 Cf. Schiwietz, , op. cit. II, 178186.Google Scholar

86 Cf. Ruf. Praef. in homil. Basilii (PG 31, 1723); Orig. Homil. in Psalmos (ed. Lommatzsch, C., Origenis Opera XII [Berlin 1848] 151–170; PG 12, 1319–1410).Google Scholar

87 Palladius, HL 55 (Butler 149).Google Scholar

88 Ibid. 54 (146).Google Scholar

89 Cf. Cavallera, , Saint Jérôme I, 123130.Google Scholar

90 Ruf. Apol. 2, 8 (PL 21, 591–592).Google Scholar

91 Palladius, HL 38 (Butler 117–121).Google Scholar

92 Cf. Jer. Ep. 133, 3 (CSEL 56): ‘… huius libros per Orientem graecos et interpretante discipulo eius Rufino latinos plerique in Occidente lectitant.’ Google Scholar

93 Jer. ibid.: ‘Evagrius hiborita qui scribit ad virgines, scribit ad monachos, scribit ad earn cuius nomen nigredinis testatur perfidiae tenebras… .’ Google Scholar

84 HL 46 (Butler 136).Google Scholar

95 Tillemont, , Mémoires 12, 199.Google Scholar

96 Butler, , HL II, 224 n. 88.Google Scholar

97 Schwartz, E., op. cit. 200 n. 72.Google Scholar

98 HL 54 (Butler 146).Google Scholar

99 Cf. Beissel, S., op. cit. (n. 28) 481.Google Scholar

100 Cf. Vita Melaniae junioris (ed. Rampolla, ) p. 21 and note 17, pp. 176–180.Google Scholar

101 Cf. Schwartz, , op. cit. 176; Murphy, , Rufinus 155–157.Google Scholar

102 Cf. Schwartz, , ibid. 176179. Butler, C., ‘Palladiana,’ JTS 22 (1921) 43, had suggested tentatively that this journey of Melania with Palladius had taken place in 388; but as Schwartz remarks (p. 167 n. 11): ‘… von anderen Unmöglichkeiten abgesehen: ein blutjunger Mann, der Anachoret werden will, ist kein Begleiter für eine Nonne.’ Google Scholar

103 Pallad. HL 54 (Butler 146).Google Scholar

104 Ibid. (Butler 148f.).Google Scholar

105 Paul. Ep. 29, 1213 (CSEL 29, 258–261).Google Scholar

106 Ibid. 14 (261).Google Scholar

107 Schwartz, , op. cit. 166167.Google Scholar

108 Paul. Carmen nat. 10, 333 (CSEL 30, 277).Google Scholar

109 Cf. Butler, , HL II, 227; Reinelt, P., Studien über die Briefe des hl. Paulinus von Nola (Breslau 1904) 22; Babut, C., ‘Paulin de Nole, Sulpice Sévère, Saint Martin,’ Annales du Midi 20 (1908) 30–31; Faber, P., ‘Sur l'ordre chronologique de deux “Natalicia” de S. Paulin de Nole,’ Rev. des études anciennes (Bordeaux) 36 (1934) 188–198.Google Scholar

110 Faber, P. (op. cit.) opposes the change in the order of epistles 28 and 29; but his considerations seem to have been sufficiently taken into account before by C. Babut. The fact that in ep. 29 Paulinus goes out of his way to describe Melania for Severus; and that in ep. 28 he makes passing reference to her as though she were well known to his correspondent, is almost sufficient reason for shifting the two letters.Google Scholar

111 Paul, , Ep. 29, 6 (CSEL 29, 251).Google Scholar

112 Paul, Ep. 28, 5 (CSEL 29, 245–245).Google Scholar

113 Cf. Bernays, J., ‘Über die Chronik des Sulpicius Severus,’ Gesammelte Abhandlungen (Berlin 1885) 2, 85; Altaner, B., Patrologie (Freiburg Br. 1938) 151.Google Scholar

114 Paul. Ep. 31, 1 (CSEL 29, 267–268).Google Scholar

115 Palladius, HL 54 (Butler 147).Google Scholar

116 Tillemont, , Mémoires 10, 607.Google Scholar

117 Cf. Cavallera, , Saint Jérôme I, 248249; II, 160.Google Scholar

118 Palladius, HL 54 (Butler 147).Google Scholar

119 Cf. Rampolla, , op. cit. 21 and 176–180.Google Scholar

120 Paul. Carmen 29 (CSEL 30). He describes his guests at great length; hence the omission of Melania Sr., had she been there, would be inexplicable.Google Scholar

121 Paul. Ep. 45, 2 (CSEL 29, 380).Google Scholar

122 Cf. Rampolla, , op. cit. 101102.Google Scholar

123 Tillemont, , Mémoires 10, 591; 14, 232.Google Scholar

124 Vita Mel. jr. 12 (Rampolla 26); cf. ibid. 101102.Google Scholar

125 Palladius, HL 54 (Butler 149).Google Scholar

126 Rampolla, , op. cit. 9697.Google Scholar

227 HL 54 (Butler 147).Google Scholar

128 Duchesne, L., Hist. ancienne de l'Église (Paris 1910–1929) III, 190.Google Scholar

129 HL 54 (Butler 146).Google Scholar

130 Tillemont, , Mémoires 10, 821.Google Scholar

131 Palladius, HL 55 (Butler 149).Google Scholar