Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD)
Justin Martyr was born at Flavia Neapolis (today Nablus) in Samaria. He was
Greek but self-identified as Samaritan. His family may have been pagan,
since he was uncircumcised, and defined himself as a Gentile.
The piety of martyrs convinced him of the moral and spiritual superiority
of Christian doctrine. As a result, he thenceforth decided that the only
option for him was to travel throughout the land, spreading the knowledge of
Christianity as the "true philosophy." His conversion is commonly assumed
to have taken place at Ephesus though it may have occurred anywhere on the
road from Syria Palestina to Rome.
He then adopted the dress of a philosopher himself and traveled about teaching.
During the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161), he arrived in Rome and started his own school.
Most of his works are lost, but two apologies and a dialogue did survive.
Estimated 150-160 A.D.