Justin Martyr

Also: Justin the Philosopher, Iustinus

Born perhaps between 90 and 110, in Flavia Neapolis (now Nablus, West Bank). Died probably between 162 and 168, in Roma (now Rome, Italy).

A philosopher from Samaria who became a Christian and taught at Rome. He wrote defences of the faith and was beheaded there.

Wrote in Greek. A major author.

Places lived

6 works, in the order they were written. 6 works can be read here.

First Apologyc. 151 to 155 · probably in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · apologyA defence of Christians before the emperor Antoninus Pius, with an account of baptism and the Sunday Eucharist.24,596 words
Dialogue with Tryphoc. 155 to 160 · perhaps in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · dialogueA long debate with a Jew named Trypho on the law, the Messiah and the Scriptures.73,371 words
Second Apologyc. 155 to 160 · probably in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · apologyA short appeal to the Roman Senate after three Christians were put to death in Rome.4,943 words

These texts are about this person, hold what this person said, or carry this name without good reason. Each page says which.

On the Resurrection (fragments) disputedsecond half of the second century · place not known · treatisePieces of a defence of the rising of the body, kept under Justin's name by John of Damascus; many scholars doubt that Justin wrote it.4,868 words
On the Sole Government of God disputedlate second or third century · place not known · treatiseA short work that uses Greek poets to show there is one God; it carries Justin's name, and most scholars say it is not his.3,127 words
Discourse to the Greeks not by this authorabout 180 to 240 (not by Justin) · place not known · apologyA short speech that says why the writer left the Greek gods; it is not by Justin.1,683 words

How we know the dates and places

Born not sure: No ancient source. Scholars say about 100. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Justin Martyr'.
Place of birth sure: Justin, First Apology 1
Died probable: Acts of Justin (tried by the prefect Junius Rusticus, in office 162 to 168)
The usual year is 165.
Place of death sure: Acts of Justin; Eusebius, Church History 4.16
Ephesus, years not sure: Eusebius, Church History 4.18.6 (the talk with Trypho was at Ephesus); Dialogue with Trypho 1 (soon after the war of 132 to 135)
Ephesus, place not sure: Eusebius, Church History 4.18.6 (the talk with Trypho was at Ephesus); Dialogue with Trypho 1 (soon after the war of 132 to 135)
Roma, years probable: Acts of Justin 3 in the Greek text (opened in the edition of Gebhardt), chapter 2 in the ANF English (his second stay at Rome); First Apology, written at Rome about 150 to 155
Roma, place sure: Acts of Justin 3 in the Greek text (opened in the edition of Gebhardt), chapter 2 in the ANF English (his second stay at Rome); First Apology, written at Rome about 150 to 155