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Purpurius, Bishop of Limata

Wace's Dictionary of Early Christian Biography

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Purpurius, bp. of Limata, or Liniata, some place in Numidia, a truculent ruffian, mentioned both by Optatus and Augustine as a sample of the leaders of the Donatists (Morcelli, Afr. Chr. i. 205). For some cause unknown he murdered his own nephews in the prison of Mileum, and when taxed with the crime threatened the same to any who stood in his way (Opt. i. 13; Aug. Brevic. Coll. iii. 15, 27; c. Gaud. i. 16, 17; c. Cresc. iii. 27, 30). This had taken place before the council of Cirta, a.d. 305. Purpurius was also dishonest, for of the money distributed by Lucilla in bribes (a.d. 311) his share amounted to 100 folles . At some time, perhaps soon after 313, when Christian worship was made legal and heathenism became unpopular, advantage appears to have been taken by some of the "baser sort" of Christians to plunder the heathen temples, and Purpurius carried off some cups from the temple of Serapis, probably of Carthage. This theft was brought to light at the inquiry held by Zenophilus, a.d. 320. But the result of the inquiry is unknown, as the MS. is imperfect (Mon. Vet. Don. iv. pp. 172, 173, ed. Oberthür).

[H.W.P.]