'De Viris Illustribus' is not St. Jerome's Magnum Opus. It offers brief biographies of some of the primary figures of the Christianity prior ot the year 400. It offers short glimpses into the narrative Christianity was composing about its own origins in the century following its de-criminilization. In a larger sense, it does perhaps represent some of St. Jerome's dual intellectual passions. The literary style that he employs is new for a churchman of his era, as it is a compilation of various hagiographies, abridged for the sake of the reader. Yet, the 'Coeur et Amina' of this literary style is perhaps more akin to great Latin orators, such as Cicero and Cato, whom St. Jerome held in the highest of esteem in his youth. In this way, 'De Viris Illustribus' serves as the first of many hybrids between pagan rhetoric and Christian piety.

Jovinianus, about whom little more is known than what is to be found in Jerome's treatise, published a Latin treatise outlining several opinions: That a virgin is no better, as such, than a wife in the sight of God. Abstinence from food is no better than a thankful partaking of food. A person baptized with the Spirit as well as with water cannot sin. All sins are equal. There is but one grade of punishment and one of reward in the future state. In addition to this, he held the birth of Jesus Christ to have been by a "true parturition," and was thus refuting the orthodoxy of the time, according to which, the infant Jesus passed through the walls of the womb as his Resurrection body afterwards did, out of the tomb or through closed doors.

"Originally published 1965 by Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., Inc." -- Verso title page.