stephan huller

I have always found the idea of a 'Pius' who sat in the episcopal chair while Antoninus Pius was Emperor rather curious. But then there is that even stranger reference that 'Hermas' was his brother. It is very difficult to believe that the historical Antoninus Pius had anything to do with the Christian Church. I think Melito of Sardis directed a letter to the Emperor. The Apology of Justin. But there seems little here to develop a serious argument connecting the two. Lucian's Peregrinus mentions a direct petition of Peregrinus to the Emperor and then failing that effort a reference to him 'abusing' Antinonus until he was thrown out of Rome by the city prefect. Again it is hard to develop anything out that. There is some speculation that the 'royal court' that Irenaeus claims to have heard Polycarp in Asia Minor might have been an event that occurred during Antoninus's role as governor there during the reign of Hadrian but even then what is that? Lastly there are the references in the rabbinic literature to R. Judah ha Nasi having a close relationship with 'Antoninus' but most people assume this was a later ruler. I don't know what to make of it.