First Apology
- Language:
- English
- Translation:
- Chevallier
- Status:
- Complete work
- Authorship:
- Written by the author
- Condition of the text:
- Clean text
- Extent:
- ~34,100 words · 162 passages
Cite this work
- APAJustin Martyr. (n.d.). First Apology. SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/justin-martyr/first-apology
- MLAJustin Martyr. "First Apology." SigPhi, https://sigphiai.com/en/works/justin-martyr/first-apology.
- ChicagoJustin Martyr. First Apology. SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/justin-martyr/first-apology.
What it is about
Justin's First Apology (c. 155).
Context and history
Addressed to the emperor Antoninus Pius: a converted philosopher argues that Christians are neither atheists nor seditious, and explains what they do when they gather. Its description of baptism and the eucharist is the oldest surviving outside the gospels. Justin was beheaded, hence the name Martyr.
Editorial context, not a citable source: unlike the passages of the work itself, these statements cannot be checked against the corpus.
b The Emperor Adrian adopted Lucius ASlius Verus, and gave him the title of Caesar. This Lucius died ; leaving only one son Lucius Verus. Adrian then adopted Titus Antoninus Piuses his successor, upon condition that he should adopt both Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who is here called Verissimus, his wife’s brother’s son, and Lucius Verus, the son of ASlius Verus. The following scheme will show the relation in which Lucius Verus stood toward Antoninus Pius and Lucius ASlius Verus. Adrian adopted Antoninus Pius Lucius AS lius Verus Ojesar adopted . I Marcus Aurelias Antoninus, Lucius Verus Verissimus, the Philosopher. Thus Lucius Verus washy birth son of L. ASlius Verus Caesar, and the adopted son of Antoninus Pius. The apology of Athenagoras is in like manner inscribed to Marcus Aurelius and Lucius j&iius, or Aurelius Verus, the philosophers. Of Lucius Verus the following character is given by Gibbon, {History qf the Decline and FaU of the Roman Empire , Book 1 . cb. 3.) “ He was adopted by pus ; and on the accession of Marcus Pius by adoption, the lover of learning ; and to the sacred Senate, and to all the Roman people, in behalf of those of all nations who are unjustly hated and persecuted, 1 Justin, the son of Priscus, and grandson of Bacchius, natives of Flavia Neapolis 6 of Syria ‘ Palestine, being myself one of those (wno are so unjustly used) offer this address and supplication. 2. Reason herself dictates that those, who can with propriety be denominated ‘ Pious’ and ‘ Philosophers,’ should love and honor truth alone, and refuse to follow the opinions of the ancients, if plainly er← Back to Justin Martyr