RE 14.2 (1930) 1759–1767, O. Schissel von Fleschenberg; DPA 4 (2005) 282–284, H.D. Saffrey.
Peter Lautner
Marinos of Tyre (100 CE)
Greek geographer known only through hostile criticism in P’s Geography, author of a
Correction (diortho ̄sis) of the World Map. On the basis of astronomical observation and the
duration of land and sea journeys, Marinos calculated coordinates of regions and sites on the
globe and attempted to modify existing maps. He employed records of travelers and mer-
chants, Greek and Roman alike, converting voyage duration from days into stades. Living in
Tyre, a busy Phoenician port, Marinos could meet people able to supply such information.
He adopted a rectilinear projection of the world and incorporated his unscientific meas-
urements into his text. Ptolemy thought this was difficult to work from without a map at
hand but nevertheless borrowed some features. Ptolemy says that Marinos never drew a
map to illustrate his claims, although Arabic geographers mention maps attributed to him.
Marinos dealt with two major cartographic problems confronting mapmakers: (1) The size
and position of the inhabited world: according to him the oikoumene ̄ occupied more than
a quarter of the terrestrial globe, lying mostly in the northern hemisphere but drawn in
both hemispheres. Ptolemy contested the width and length of Marinos’ map. (2) Map pro-
jections: regarding the problem of representing a portion of the globe on a plane, Marinos,
like E and S, adopted a rectangular projection in which parallels and
meridians were drawn as straight parallel lines, in Marinos’ version at regular distances from
each other. Further problems arise from uncritical copying of geographical detail from
written commentaries. Ptolemy thus rejected Marinos’ work as a cartographer and con-
sidered its information incoherent and impractical. However, Marinos’ importance in the
history of cartography still lies in his critical approach to existing maps.
Dilke (1985) 72–86; J.B. Harley and D. Woodward, A History of Cartography 1 (1987) 178–180;
R. Wieber, “Marinos von Tyros in der arabischen Überlieferung,” in M. Weinmann-Walser, ed.,
Historische Interpretationen (1995) 161–190; NDSB 5.27, A. Jones.
Daniela Dueck
Marius Victorinus (ca 340 – 370 CE)
Grammarian, philosopher, rhetorician, and theologian, born ca 300 CE in Africa. Moving to
Rome, he taught rhetoric under Constantius (337–361). His works divide into grammar,
rhetoric, philosophy, and theology, which was his focus after conversion to Christianity later
in life (A, Conf. 8.2.1.–8.3.5). His philosophical works include a translation with
commentary on A’s Categories and De interpretatione, a commentary on C’s
Topica and De inuentione, and a translation of P’ Isagoge, all lost. Extant is Victorinus’
Ars Grammatica, his anti-Arian Ad candidum Arianum, De generatione uerbi diuini ad candidum,
three hymns De trinitate, and commentaries on Paul’s letters to Ephesians, Galatians, and
Philippians. Influenced by Porphurios’ version of Platonism, Victorinus inherited his
scheme of three divine hupostaseis: the One, the ultimate source of Being; Intellect
which is life; and soul, the source of thinking. Victorinus seems to have identified the
Christian triad of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with the Porphurian triad.
Ed.: PL 8.993–1310; I. Mariotti, Ars Grammatica (1967); P. Henry-P. Hadot, Opera Theologica, CSEL 83.1
(1971); A. Locher, Marii Victorini Commentarii in epistolas Pauli ad Galatas ad Philippenses ad Ephesios (1972);
F. Gori, Opera Exegetica, CSEL 83.2 (1986).
MARIUS VICTORINUS