Page "Dionysius Exiguus" Paragraph 3

According to his friend and fellow-student, Cassiodorus, although by birth a " Scythian ", Dionysius was in character a true Roman and a thorough Catholic, most learned in both tongues ( by which he meant Greek and Latin ), and an accomplished Scripturist.

The use of such an ambiguous dated term as " Scythian " raises the suspicion that his contemporaries had difficulties classifying him, either from lack of knowledge about him personally or about his native land, Scythia Minor.

By the 6th century, the term " Scythian " could mean an inhabitant of Scythia Minor, or simply someone from the north-east of Greco-Roman world, centered on the Mediterranean ; the term had a wide-encompassing meaning, devoid of clear ethnic attributes.

Even for the " Scythian monk " Joannes Maxentius, friend and companion of Dionysius, the two monks are " Scythian " by virtue of their geographical origin relative to Rome, just like Faustus of Riez is a " Gaul ".