Aerians, a semi-Arian sect of the 4th century, named from Aerius, a monk of Pontus, and holding middle ground between the Arians and the Nicaeans. The Nicaeans were Homo-ousians, and the high Arians were Heterousians, while the Aerians were Homoiousians. The Aerians in church government denied the distinction between a bishop and a presbyter. They were opposed by a small counter faction called Aetians. (See Aetius.)