Carpocrates and the Original Vatican Banker

I am no expert by any means on the Greek language, but it is curious that when Hippolytus tells us the story of Pope Callixtus being rescued from the mines he mentions that Callixtus 'worked' (i.e. was a slave) for a prominent, wealthy Christian banker named 'Carpophorus.' Carpophorus would have been influential in the period leading up to and including the age of Commodus and Marcia. Carpophorus means 'fruit-bearer.' Is it possible that the name 'Carpocrates' - the 'rule of Carpus' is somehow a reference to Carpophorus status within the Roman Church as it grew in status owing to Marcia's relationship with both Pope Victor AND her lover the Emperor Commodus?

Again, my Greek language skills let me down. The name Carpocrates might well have antedated Carpophorus' immeasurable influence over the Church in the period. Just read Irenaeus reference to the Church receiving a largess from Commodus in AH iv.30.1:

Those, again, who cavil and find fault because the people did, by God's command, upon the eve of their departure, take vessels of all kinds and raiment from the Egyptians," and so went away, from which [spoils], too, the tabernacle was constructed in the wilderness, prove themselves ignorant of the righteous dealings of God, and of His dispensations; as also the presbyter remarked: For if God had not accorded this in the typical exodus, no one could now be saved in our true exodus; that is, in the faith in which we have been established, and by which we have been brought forth from among the number of the Gentiles. For in some cases there follows us a small, and in others a large amount of property, which we have acquired from the mammon of unrighteousness. For from what source do we derive the houses in which we dwell, the garments in which we are clothed, the vessels which we use, and everything else ministering to our every-day life, unless it be from those things which, when we were Gentiles, we acquired by avarice, or received them from our heathen parents, relations, or friends who unrighteously obtained them?--not to mention that even now we acquire such things when we are in the faith. For who is there that sells, and does not wish to make a profit from him who buys? Or who purchases anything, and does not wish to obtain good value from the seller? Or who is there that carries on a trade, and does not do so that he may obtain a livelihood thereby? And as to those believing ones who are in the royal palace, do they not derive the utensils they employ from the property which belongs to Caesar; and to those who have not, does not each one of these [Christians] give according to his ability?

The point of course is that this money that was streaming from the state to the Church in the Commodian period needed to be held at a physical 'bank.' Carpophorus's bank in the piscine publica is the most logical place to start.

The fact that Callixtus - a slave - managed to work his way up to the highest ranks of the Roman Church establishment only makes sense if his master Carpophorus had great influence over the organization. If Carpophorus was the original 'Vatican banker' EVERYTHING starts to make sense.

When Marcia managed to get Commodus to release a number of notable Christians from the mines, Callixtus didn't need to be on the list of freed prisoners. Hippolytus text very specifically refers to Marcia doing a personal favor to someone - undoubtedly Carpophorus.

That's how powerful Carpophorus was leading me to suspect that Carpocrates - the 'rule of Carpus' has something to do with Carpophorus.

And more thing. Marcia was noted to have been shared by several 'husbands' at the same time - she was the concubine of the senator Quadratus AND his chamberlain Eclectus. When Quadratus died she and Eclectus took their act over to the Imperial court where she became the 'concubine' of Commodus while still married to Eclectus.

Interestingly despite identifying Marcia as a 'religious woman' Hippolytus' description of the Church under Callixtus' rule as bearing a striking resemblance to Marcia' attitude toward marriage saying:

For even also he permitted females, if they were unwedded, and burned with passion at an age at all events unbecoming, or if they were not disposed to overturn their own dignity through a legal marriage, that they might have whomsoever they would choose as a bedfellow, whether a slave or free, and that a woman, though not legally married, might consider such a companion as a husband. Whence women, reputed believers, began to resort to drugs for producing sterility, and to gird themselves round, so to expel what was being conceived on account of their not wishing to have a child either by a slave or by any paltry fellow, for the sake of their family and excessive wealth. Behold, into how great impiety that lawless one has proceeded, by inculcating adultery and murder at the same time! And withal, after such audacious acts, they, lost to all shame, attempt to call themselves a Catholic Church! And some, under the supposition that they will attain prosperity, concur with them. During the episcopate of this one, second baptism was for the first time presumptuously attempted by them. These, then, (are the practices and opinions which) that most astonishing Callistus established, whose school continues, preserving its customs and tradition, not discerning with whom they ought to communicate, but indiscriminately offering communion to all. And from him they have derived the denomination of their men; so that, on account of Callistus being a foremost champion of such practices, they should be called Callistians. [Refutation of the Heresies ix.7]

There is something here my friends. My instincts tell me that Marcia was connected with the Carpocratians and the Carpocratians in turn represent the seediness inherent in the Roman Catholic Church flourishing under one of the worst Emperors in history and his illicit union with a Christian named Marcia.

It will just take time to put this all together ...

UPDATE - I have been looking at all the reports I can find about the location of the 'Piscina Publica' which is mentioned as the place Carpophorus set up his 'bank' and the Christian interpretation seems to be at odds with the topographical reality of Rome. The Christian commentaries keep implying that the Piscina Publica had lots of banks so it would only be natural for Carpophorus to 'set up shop' here. There is no evidence for this assertion at least so far as I can see. The Piscina Publica was traditionally the place that Romans taught themselves how to swim.