stephan huller

Many of us have heard that all heresiological treatise go back to a 'syntagma' originally written by Justin c. 150. I thought I knew what a syntagma was until I started doing some investigation. σύνταγμα just means 'arrangement.' In modern Greek apparently it has the sense of 'constitution.' Why did Justin chose to use this name σύνταγμα κατὰ πασῶν τῶν γεγενημένων αἱρέσεων to describe his 'Origin of the Species' of Christian heresies? Was the title showing that the material was being 'arranged' against his subject matter? That would clear show his lack of objectivity. Yet I wonder if the book was ever called a syntagma. But why use the term at all? I guess the bottom line is - what do we learn about Justin's text by the fact it was called a σύνταγμα?

Huon

A syntagma is the combination of two or several elements into something more complex.
1 - Organisation, constitution
2 - Writing, composition, treatise
3 - contribution
4 - troops (!)

DCHindley

Perhaps the choice of word was to signify that he was attempting to categorize the various heresies to make them "comprehensible" to the faithful. He does organize them by heads, so to speak, like branches from a tree trunk.

Either that, or Syntagma comes from Syn = come together + Tagmw = To tag with spray paint. Thus, he was actually speaking of coded plans to tag local landmarks and mom & pop grocery stores with Christian gang symbols, crossing out the symbols of the rival heretical gangs in the process. Of course, such a heinous crime could only be thought of by the like of Constantine's toady Eusebius.

DCH

Iskander

It means nothing more than catalogue, as in a catalogue of heresies

aeebee50

I like the updated explanation of Syntagma. http://www.athensguide.com/syntagma.html
Appears to be more attainable.

Chili

And that includes the Formal Cause, the Efficient Cause, the Material cause and the Final Cause of the army of the Lord as we still see it today on the anathema side of the Church, and will defend that with their own life and will spend the nations wealth to get it done when they take charge.