Clement of Rome
The earliest known Christian author outside the New Testament.
Traditionally identified as the fourth Bishop of Rome (Pope), Clement is the author of the "First Epistle of Clement" (c. 96 CE), a letter from the Roman church to the Corinthian church urging order and obedience to church leaders.
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- 1 Clement is one of the oldest surviving Christian documents outside the New Testament, typically dated to around 96 CE during the reign of Emperor Domitian.
- The letter reveals that the Roman church was already asserting authority over other churches by the end of the 1st century, intervening in a dispute in Corinth where younger members had deposed their elders.
- Clement never claims the title "pope" or universal authority, but later Catholic tradition points to this letter as the earliest evidence of Roman primacy over other Christian communities.
- A second letter attributed to Clement (2 Clement) is actually the oldest surviving complete Christian sermon, likely written by a different author around 140-160 CE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Clement of Rome?
Traditionally identified as the fourth Bishop of Rome (Pope), Clement is the author of the "First Epistle of Clement" (c. 96 CE), a letter from the Roman church to the Corinthian church urging order and obedience to church leaders.
When did Clement of Rome live?
Clement of Rome: c. 35–99 CE.
Why does Clement of Rome matter?
The earliest known Christian author outside the New Testament.
Sources & Further Reading
Cite This Page
AskHistoryAI. “Clement of Rome.” AskHistoryAI — Interactive Timeline of Everything. Updated 2026-09-11. https://askhistoryai.com/event/cf-clement-rome/
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