c. 165 AD
St. Justin Martyr, the first great Christian apologist, wrote his First and Second Apologies to defend Christianity before Roman emperors. A convert from pagan philosophy, Justin argued that Christianity was the true philosophy and that Christ was the Logos (Reason) through whom all things were made. He established a school in Rome and attracted many students, including St. Justin's former teacher, Tatian.
Justin's concept of the 'seeds of the Logos' (logoi spermatikes) held that truth found in pagan philosophy prepared the way for Christ. He identified Socrates and other philosophers as Christians before Christ because they followed the Logos. He was martyred in Rome around 165 AD. Key writings: First Apology, Second Apology, Dialogue with Trypho