Who did Tertullian oppose?

Marcion of Sinope, Valentinus, and Pope Callixtus I.

Tertullian

c. 155 – c. 220 · b. Carthage

theologianapologistpresbyter

First major Latin Christian author; coined much of Western theological vocabulary (trinitas, persona, substantia). Apologeticus, Adv. Marcionem, De Praescriptione. Later joined the New Prophecy (Montanism).

Why Tertullian matters

Tertullian wrote in Latin when everyone else wrote in Greek. That single fact made the Western church possible. He invented the Latin theological vocabulary — 'Trinity,' 'person,' 'substance,' 'sacrament,' 'New Testament' as a phrase. Augustine and every Western theologian after stand on words he coined. Late in life he joined the Montanists, a charismatic-prophetic movement Rome rejected, which is why he's not sainted. But his vocabulary stuck. You can't say what Christianity teaches without using his words.

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Common questions

Who was Tertullian?: Tertullian (155–220) — First major Latin Christian author; coined much of Western theological vocabulary (trinitas, persona, substantia). Apologeticus, Adv. Marcionem, De Praescriptione. Later joined the New Prophecy (Montanism).
Who did Tertullian oppose?: Marcion of Sinope, Valentinus, and Pope Callixtus I.

Works

Apologyc. 197
Public defense of Christianity to Roman governors — a masterpiece of early Christian rhetoric.
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Against Marcionc. 207
Five-book refutation of Marcion's two-god theology, foundational for canon and Old Testament theology.
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Sources for biography

Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 53 primary
Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 2.2, 2.25 primary
Tertullian, Apologeticus primary

documented connections(3)

opposed Marcion of Sinope
Tertullian's five books Adversus Marcionem are the most extensive ancient refutation.
Tertullian, Adversus Marcionem
opposed Valentinus
Tertullian's Adversus Valentinianos refutes the Valentinian school.
Tertullian, Adversus Valentinianos
opposed Pope Callixtus I
Tertullian's De Pudicitia attacks the unnamed bishop (commonly identified as Callixtus) for absolving adultery.
Tertullian, De Pudicitia 1, 21

tradition connections(1)

cited (incoming) Cyprian of Carthage
Jerome (late 4th c., De Vir. Ill. 53) reports that Cyprian read Tertullian daily, asking 'Da magistrum'. Cyprian himself never names Tertullian; the link is Jerome's anecdote 130+ years later.
Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 53