Minucius Felix

SECOND OR third century. African author of the apology Octavius, an elegant, attractive defense of Christianity, which takes the form of a dialogue between a pagan, Caecilius, and a Christian, Octavius, Caecilius echoes the general calumnies against Christians, and Octavius corrects these views, stressing at the same time the virtues of Christianity. The relationship between this work and Tertullian's apology is very close. There are such striking affinities that some interdependence is certain, but it is impossible to say which work is prior.