Person

Lactantius

Also known as Lucius Caecilius Firmianus · Christian Cicero

Christian apologist and advisor to Constantine I.

Filed underHistorical TheologyTheologians & Historical Figures

Definition

A Latin apologist (c. 250–c. 325) and tutor to Constantine I's son, Crispus. His major work, 'Institutiones Divinae', was the first systematic exposition of Christian theology in Latin, intended to demonstrate the reasonableness of Christianity to pagan critics. He also wrote 'De mortibus persecutorum', chronicling the deaths of emperors who persecuted Christians.

Sources

  1. 1.Everett Ferguson Church History: Volume One: From Christ to Pre-Reformation. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013). pp. 159-175

Last revised August 20, 2026