Saint Cyprian was born in Carthage, Africa around 200. Before his conversion, he was a gifted teacher of rhetoric and an orator. After his conversion he immersed himself in the study of Scripture, as well as in the writings of his mentor, Tertullian.
Upon being made bishop of Carthage in 248, he and the Church faced the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Decian. A group of Christians renounced their faith by offering sacrifices to the Roman gods, and some by falsely saying that they had done so. Cyprian, out of compassion and mercy, took the middle ground amongst the Church hierarchy with respect to the Church's apostate flock, requiring they do penance before being admitted back into the Church. He was ultimately martyred himself in 258, after refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods.
Introductory Notice to Cyprian
The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr
Epistle LX.1 To Euchratius, About an Actor.
Treatise I. On the Unity of the Church.1
Treatise II.1 On the Dress of Virgins.
Treatise IV.1 On the Lord's Prayer.
Treatise V.1 An Address to Demetrianus.
Treatise VI.1 On the Vanity of Idols
Treatise VII. On the Mortality.1
Treatise VIII.1 On Works and Alms.
Treatise IX. On the Advantage of Patience.1
Treatise X.1 On Jealousy and Envy.
Treatise XI.1 Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus.
Treatise XII.1 Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews.
The Seventh Council of Carthage Under Cyprian.1
Treatises Attributed to Cyprian on Questionable Authority.