JUSTIN, surnamed THE MARTYR ( 0.1 e.165). A Christian apologist of the second cen tury, commonly called Justin Martyr. He was born about 100. in Flavia Neapolis, a Roman city erected on the site of the ancient Sheehem, in Samaria. His father, Priseus, was a heathen, and Justin was educated in the religion of his father. He became an ardent student of the philosophy of his age, beginning with the school of the Stoics, but, finally adhering to that of the Platonists. According to the story which lie himself relates, one day while wandering along time seashore, he encountered a man of mild and venerable aspect, who led him to the study of the Jewish prophets and the great Christian teacher whom they foretold. The result was his con version to Christianity, which probably took place at Ephesus about 135. After his con version lie retained the garb of a philosopher, but, as a Christian philosopher, he strove by his writings and his instructions to bring others to the truth which he had himself discovered. From his Jewish acquaintances he got his knowledge of rabbinical literature. He lived for some time in Rome and is said to have been beheaded about the year 165, in the reign of Marcus Aurelius, be cause he refused to offer sacrifice to the heathen gods. The works of Justin, although not very
voluminous, are highly interesting and impor tant. The books ascribed to him with certainty are two Apologies for the Christians, the first addressed "to Antoninus Pius," the second "to the Roman Senate." and a Dialogue with Try phon the Jew, which professes to be the record of an actual discussion held at Ephesus. Some other extant works have been ascribed to him, but on insufficient grounds, and several of his works cited by ancient authors have been lost. The first edition of his works is that of Robert Stephens (Paris, 1551). The Benedictine edition of Justin, by Maran, appeared at Paris in 1742, and Otto's—the best—at Jena in 1842-46 (3d ed., 5 vole. 187G-81) ; there is an English translation in time Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. i. (New York, 1885). Consult: Semisch, Justin der Martyrer (Breslau, 1840-42) ; Purves, Testimony of Jus tin Martyr to Early Christianity (New York, 1889) ; Flemming, Zur Beurteilung des Chris tentunis Just in us' des iirtyrers (Leipzig, 1893) ; Baldus, Das Verhiiltnis Justinus' des _1larlyn-7.s zu unseren synoptischen Evangelien (Mtinster, 1595).