Tertullian

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus

Tertullian was a Christian writer of Carthage, the first major theologian to write in Latin. Trained in rhetoric and widely read, he defended Christians against pagan accusations, attacked heresies, and wrote short works on Christian life and worship such as On Baptism and On Prayer. Much of the Latin vocabulary of later theology, including trinitas, first appears in his writings.

Dates
fl. ca. 197–220 (approximate)
See or city
Carthage
Region
Africa Proconsularis (North Africa)
Also known as
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus; Tertullianus; Tertullian of Carthage
Notes
Jerome (Lives of Illustrious Men 53) says that he was a presbyter, the son of a proconsular centurion, and that he lived to a great age; many modern scholars doubt that he was ordained. His later writings (from about 207) show sympathy with the New Prophecy (Montanism); whether this meant leaving the church at Carthage is debated.

Works