Maximilla was a prophetess and an early advocate of

Montanism Montanism (), known by its adherents as the New Prophecy, was an early Christian movement of the late 2nd century, later referred to by the name of its founder, Montanus. Montanism held views about the basic tenets of Christian theology simil ...

, a heretical Christian sect founded in the third century A.D. by

Montanus Montanus was the second century founder of Montanism and a self proclaimed prophet. Montanus emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit, in a manner which set him apart from the Great church. Life Only very little is known about the life of Montanu ...

. Some scholars believe that Maximilla and

Priscilla Priscilla is an English female given name adopted from Latin ''Prisca'', derived from ''priscus''. One suggestion is that it is intended to bestow long life on the bearer. The name first appears in the New Testament of Christianity variously as ...

, another prophet, were actually the co-founders of Montanism. Other scholars dismiss this as unproven. Either way, it is generally agreed upon that Maximilla and Priscilla provided the primary prophetic content and some of the oracles for the movement. According to the anti-Montanist polemic written by an anonymous author and preserved in

Eusebius Eusebius of Caesarea (; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος ; 260/265 – 30 May 339), also known as Eusebius Pamphilus (from the grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος τοῦ Παμφίλου), was a Greek historian of Christianity, exegete, and Christian ...

’ ''Ecclesiastical History'', Maximilla and Priscilla were pawns of the devil who spoke and acted in “a frenzied manner.” According to their followers, Maximilla and Priscilla were prophetesses like early Christian prophetesses. While Maximilla was claiming to prophesy in

Pepuza Pepuza (or Pepouza, Greek: Πέπουζα) was an ancient town in Phrygia, Asia Minor (in today's Turkish district of Karahallı, Uşak Province, Aegean Region). Coordinates of the central terrasse of the settlement: UTM 35 S 0714926/4253954 (W ...

Zoticus of Comana Zoticus was a 3rd-century martyr and bishop of Comana (also spelled Conana or Comama). Zoticus is known for his opposition to the Montanist heresy. He died in 204 a martyr. A life of Zoticus, the ''Vita Zotici'', was written during the reign of ...

became resistant to her teachings and tried to refute what she said. However, he was stopped by her followers and fellow Montanists. Apollinarius of Hierapolis also claimed that a bishop named Julian of Apimea rebuked her.Eusebius. ''Church History''. Viewable at: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250105.htm

Background

Nothing is known of Maximilla's family background. Perhaps she was a descendant of

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...

citizens resident in Central Phrygia or its vicinity. According to Eusebius's ''

Church History __NOTOC__ Church history or ecclesiastical history as an academic discipline studies the history of Christianity and the way the Christian Church has developed since its inception. Henry Melvill Gwatkin defined church history as "the spiritual ...

'', Maximilla and Priscilla had been married but “left their husbands the moment they were filled with the spirit.”

Death

According to Eusebius, there were rumors that Maximilla had hanged herself while in a frenzied state. Eusebius compared her death to that of

Judas Iscariot Judas Iscariot (; grc-x-biblical, Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης; syc, ܝܗܘܕܐ ܣܟܪܝܘܛܐ; died AD) was a disciple and one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to all four canonical gospels, Judas betraye ...

References

External links

* {{Montanism 3rd-century apocalypticists 3rd-century Roman women Montanism