Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius

Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius was an early Christian author (ca. 240 – ca. 320) who became an advisor to the first Christian Roman emperor,Constantine I, guiding his religious policy as it developed,and tutor to his son. A Christian apologist of the fourth century. The name Firmianus has misled some authors into believing that he was an Italian from Ferno, whereas he was an African by birth and a pupil of Arnobius who taughtat Sicca Veneria. An inscription found at Cirta in Numidia, which mentions a certain L. Caecilius Firminianus,has led to the conclusion in some quarters that his family belonged to that place (Harnack, "Chronologie d.altchr. Lit.", II,416. Lactantius was born a pagan and in his early life taught rhetoric in his native place.At the request of Emperor Diocletian he became an official professor of rhetoric in Nicomedia.One of his poems (Hodoeporicum) is an account of his journey from Africa to his new home.

He wrote apologetic works explaining Christianity in terms that

would be palatable to educated people who still practiced the
traditional religions of the Empire, while defending Christian beliefs against the criticisms of Hellene philosophers.

It is probable that his conversion to Christianity did not take place until after his removal to Nicomedia. It seems clear, however, that he could not retain his position as public teacher after the publication of Diocletian's first Edict against the Christians (24 February, 303). After his dismissal it was easy to find pupils in that Greek city who would patronize a teacher of Latin, and he was in consequence reduced to such poverty that he at times lacked the necessities of life (St. Jerome, "Chron.", ad. ann. abr. 2333). In those circumstances, he attempted to eke out a living by writing. The persecution impelled him to leave Nicomedia and from the outbreak of hostilities until perhaps 311 or 313 he had to find a home elsewhere. The friendship of the Emperor Constantine raised him from penury and though very old (extrema senectute) he was appointed tutor in Latin to the emperor's son Crispus. This new appointment compelled him top follow his charge to Trier where he spent the remainder of his life. It seems very probable that his transfer to Trier did not take place until 317, when Crispus was made Caesar and sent to the city.Crispus was put to death in 326, but when Lactantius died and in what circumstances is not know.

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NB:

1- Lactantius was born in Cirta (Constantine , Algeria)

2- Lactantius become Advisor of the Emperor Constantine I (311-313)

3- He was Against the criticisms of Hellene philosophers