About Paulinus the Deacon
Lived 370 – 428 (aged 57–58). Paulinus the Deacon was a Roman hagiographer, writer and clergyman.
Paulinus the Deacon, also Paulinus of Milan was the notary of Ambrose of Milan, and his biographer. His work is the only life of Ambrose based on a contemporary account, and was written at the request of Augustine of Hippo; it is dated to 422 AD.
Against the Pelagians
In Carthage in 411 he had opposed Caelestius, a Pelagian. The formal proceedings were described by Augustine in On Original Sin. Paulinus set up six theses defining Pelagian views as heresy; Caelestius gave up on becoming a presbyter in Carthage, instead he moved to Ephesus
Paulinus was summoned to Rome in 417, to justify himself. With local backing, he declined to appear before Pope Zosimus; in 418 the Pope took into account the measure of support for the anti-Pelagian position, and condemned both Caelestus and Pelagius.
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Important facts
People in Paulinus the Deacon's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Paulinus the Deacon?
Roman hagiographer and writer
When was Paulinus the Deacon born?
Paulinus the Deacon was born in 370.
When did Paulinus the Deacon die?
Paulinus the Deacon died in 428.
What was Paulinus the Deacon's occupation?
Paulinus the Deacon was a hagiographer, writer and clergyman.
What nationality was Paulinus the Deacon?
Paulinus the Deacon was Roman.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Paulinus the Deacon
· DBpedia: Paulinus the Deacon
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Paulinus the Deacon. https://biography.guide/paulinus-the-deacon/
MLA: "Paulinus the Deacon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/paulinus-the-deacon/.
Chicago: "Paulinus the Deacon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/paulinus-the-deacon/.
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