CHAPTER IX.
TATIAN--DIONYSIUS OF CORINTH.
Tatian was a teacher of rhetoric, an Assyrian by birth, who was converted to Christianity by Justin Martyr, but after his death fell into heresy, leaning towards the Valentinian Gnosticism, and combining with this an extreme asceticism.
The death of Justin is clearly the pivot on which his date will hinge.

If we are to accept the conclusions of Mr.Hort this will have occurred in the year 148 A.D.; according to Volkmar it would fall not before 155 A.D., and in the ordinary view as late as 163- 165 A.D.

[Endnote 238:1] The beginning of Tatian's literary activity will follow accordingly.
Tatian's first work of importance, an 'Address to Greeks,' which is still extant, was written soon after the death of Justin.

It contains no references to the Synoptic Gospels upon which stress can be laid.
An allusion to Matth.vi.19 in the Stromateis of Clement [Endnote 238:2] has been attributed to Tatian, but I hardly know for what reason.

It is introduced simply by [Greek: tis (biazetai tis legon)], but there were other Encratites besides Tatian, and the very fact that he has been mentioned by name twice before in the chapter makes it the less likely that he should be introduced so vaguely.
The chief interest however in regard to Tatian centres in his so- called 'Diatessaron,' which is usually supposed to have been a harmony of the four Gospels.
Eusebius mentions this in the following terms: 'Tatian however, their former leader, put together, I know not how, a sort of patchwork or combination of the Gospels and called it the "Diatessaron," which is still current with some.' [Endnote 239:1] I am rather surprised to see that Credner, who is followed by the author of 'Supernatural Religion,' argues from this that Eusebius had not seen the work in question [Endnote 239:2].