Marcella

Marcella (c. 325–410) was a Roman noblewoman who became one of the most important figures in the early Christian ascetic movement in Rome. Widowed young, she refused to remarry — reportedly turning down a proposal from a consul — and converted her palatial home on the Aventine Hill into what was effectively the first women's monastery in Rome. She studied Scripture with a seriousness that earned the respect of Jerome, who described her as his most intellectually demanding correspondent. All 18 of her appearances in this collection are as a recipient of Jerome's letters, but they reveal a remarkable woman. Jerome wrote to her about biblical interpretation, Hebrew linguistics, textual criticism, and theological controversies — not the pious generalities one might expect in letters to a 'lady,' but the kind of rigorous intellectual engagement you offer an equal. She challenged his translations, pressed him on difficult passages, and was reportedly the driving force behind his decision to write commentaries on several biblical books. Marcella matters because she represents the women who shaped early Christianity in ways the official record often obscures. She died in 410, shortly after being assaulted by Visigoths during the sack of Rome — a death that Jerome mourned bitterly. Her story, reconstructed from Jerome's letters, is a reminder that late antique intellectual life was not exclusively male, even if the surviving sources make it look that way.
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Letters sent
18
Letters received
18
Total letters
1
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All letters (18)

From Jeromec. 377

Jerome writes to Marcella to console her for the loss of a friend who, like herself, was the head of a religious society at Rome. The news of Lea's death had first reached Marcella when she was engaged with Jerome in the study of the 73d psalm. Later in the day he writes this letter in which, after extolling Lea, he contrasts her end with that o...

jerome #23
From Jeromec. 378

Concerning the virgin Asella. Dedicated to God before her birth, Marcella's sister had been made a church-virgin at the age of ten. From that time she had lived a life of the severest asceticism, first as a member and then as the head of Marcella's community upon the Aventine.

jerome #24
From Jeromec. 378

An explanation of the ten names given to God in the Hebrew Scriptures. The ten names are El, Elohim, Sabaôth, Eliôn, Asher yeheyeh Exodus 3:14, Adonai, Jah, the tetragram JHVH, and Shaddai. Written at Rome 384 A.D.

jerome #25
From Jeromec. 378

An explanation of certain Hebrew words which have been left untranslated in the versions. The words are Alleluia, Amen, Maran atha. Written at Rome 384 A.D.

jerome #26
From Jeromec. 379

In this letter Jerome defends himself against the charge of having altered the text of Scripture, and shows that he has merely brought the Latin Version of the N.T. into agreement with the Greek original. Written at Rome 384 A.D.

jerome #27
From Jeromec. 379

An explanation of the Hebrew word Selah. This word, rendered by the LXX. διάψαλμα and by Aquila ἀ εί, was as much a crux in Jerome's day as it is in ours.

jerome #28
From Jeromec. 379

An explanation of the Hebrew words Ephod bad 1 Samuel 2:18 and Teraphim Judges 17:5. Written at Rome to Marcella, also at Rome A.D. 384.

jerome #29
From Jeromec. 380

Jerome writes that he is busy collating Aquila's Greek version of the Old Testament with the Hebrew, inquires after Marcella's mother, and forwards the two preceding letters (XXX., XXXI.). Written at Rome in 384 A.D. 1.

jerome #32
From Jeromec. 381

In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. (bread of sorrow, Psalm 126:2, and children of the shaken off, A.V.

jerome #34
From Jeromec. 382

Marcella had asked Jerome to lend her a copy of a commentary by Rhetitius, bishop of Augustodunum (Autun), on the Song of Songs. He now refuses to do so on the ground that the work abounds with errors, of which the two following are samples: (1) Rhetitius identifies Tharshish with Tarsus, and (2) he supposes that Uphaz (in the phrase gold of Uph...

jerome #37
From Jeromec. 382

Blæsilla, the daughter of Paula and sister of Eustochium, had lost her husband seven months after her marriage. A dangerous illness had then led to her conversion, and she was now famous throughout Rome for the length to which she carried her austerities. Many censured her for what they deemed her fanaticism, and Jerome, as her spiritual adviser...

jerome #38
From Jeromec. 383

Onasus, of Segesta, the subject of this letter, was among Jerome's Roman opponents. He is here held up to ridicule in a manner which reflects little credit on the writer's urbanity. The date of the letter is 385 A.D.

jerome #40
From Jeromec. 383

An effort having been made to convert Marcella to Montanism, Jerome here summarizes for her its leading doctrines, which he contrasts with those of the Church. Written at Rome in 385 A.D. 1.

jerome #41
From Jeromec. 384

At Marcella's request Jerome explains to her what is the sin against the Holy Ghost spoken of by Christ, and shows Novatian's explanation of it to be untenable. Written at Rome in 385 A.D. 1.

jerome #42
From Jeromec. 384

Jerome draws a contrast between his daily life and that of Origen, and sorrowfully admits his own shortcomings. He then suggests to Marcella the advantages which life in the country offers over life in town, and hints that he is himself disposed to make trial of it. Written at Rome in 385 A.D.

jerome #43
From Jeromec. 384

Marcella had sent some small articles as a present (probably to Paula and Eustochium) and Jerome now writes in their name to thank her for them. He notices the appropriateness of the gifts, not only to the ladies, but also to himself. Written at Rome in 385 A.D.

jerome #44
From Jeromec. 385

Jerome writes to Marcella in the name of Paula and Eustochium, describing the charms of the Holy Land, and urging her to leave Rome and to join her old companions at Bethlehem. Much of the letter is devoted to disposing of the objection that since the Passion of Christ the Holy Land has been under a curse. The date of the letter is A.D.

jerome #46
From Jeromec. 389

An answer to five questions put to Jerome by Marcella in a letter not preserved. The questions are as follows. (1) What are the things which eye has not seen nor ear heard 1 Corinthians 2:9?

jerome #59