Tertullian: Writings & Works
31 works 2 attributedTertullian was a Latin church father from Carthage, active about AD 196–220, who coined many theological Latin terms still used today. In his later years he joined the Montanists. 31 works are here, including the Apology, Against Marcion, Against Praxeas, On Baptism and On Prayer, all free with narrated audio.
Start reading — ApologyThe Works of Tertullian
Every work below is here in full — the complete English text, free to read without an account. Narrated audio with word highlighting is available for some works and sections; audio coverage is not complete for every work.
Ad Nationes
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Patience
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
An Answer to the Jews
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
De Spectaculis (On the Shows)
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
To Scapula
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Against Marcion
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Apology
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Prescription Against Heretics
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Against Hermogenes
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Against Praxeas
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On the Flesh of Christ
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On the Resurrection of the Flesh
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Baptism
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Prayer
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Ad Martyras
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Idolatry
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Against the Valentinians
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
De Anima (On the Soul)
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Scorpiace
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead workOn the Apparel of Women
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On the Veiling of Virgins
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
To His Wife
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Exhortation to Chastity
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Monogamy
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Modesty
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
On Fasting
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
The Pallium
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead workDe Fuga in Persecutione
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
De Corona
The complete English text; audio where available · first written in LatinRead work
Attributed & disputed works
Works historically linked to Tertullian whose authorship scholars question — included in full for completeness, so you can weigh the texts yourself.
Questions & answers
What did Tertullian actually teach? Straight answers built from the primary sources above, with every citation linked.
Common questions about Tertullian
- Who was Tertullian?
- A Latin church father from Carthage in North Africa, active about AD 196–220. He coined many theological Latin terms still used today. In his later years he joined the Montanist movement, and some later works (such as On Modesty and On Fasting) argue against the wider church.
- What did Tertullian write?
- Many short books. Among them: the Apology, Ad Nationes, Against Marcion, Against Praxeas, Against Hermogenes, On the Flesh of Christ, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, On Baptism, On Prayer, On Patience, On Idolatry, De Spectaculis, De Corona and To His Wife. Two more on this page, the Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas and Against All Heresies, are only traditionally linked to him.
- What language did Tertullian write in?
- Latin. The texts here are the complete English translations from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, each with narrated audio.
- Where can I read Tertullian's writings for free?
- Right here. Every work opens in full, free, with no sign-up, and you can listen to it read aloud.