a celebrated historian, lived, according to the most probable opinion, in the second century, under the reign of Antoninus Pius. He wrote, in elegant Latin, an abridgment of the history of Trogus Pompeius; comprehending the actions of almost all nations, from Ninus the founder of the Assyrian empire to the emperor Augustus. The original work, to the regret of the learned, is lost; this abridgment, being written in a polite and elegant style, was probably the reason why that age neglected the original. The best editions of Justin are, ad utramque Delphiini, in 4to; and cum notis variorum et Gronovii in 8vo.

Justin (St.), commonly called Justin Martyr, one of the earliest and most learned writers of the Eastern church, was born at Neapolis, the ancient Scehem of Palestine. His father Priscus, a Gentile Greek, brought him up in his own religion, and had him educated in all the Grecian learning. To complete his studies he travelled to Egypt; and followed the feet of Plato, with whose intellectual notions he was much pleased. But one day walking by the sea side, wrapt in contemplation, he was met by a grave ancient person of a venerable aspect; who, falling into discourse with him, turned the conversation by degrees from the excellence of Platonism to the superior perfection of Christianity; and reasoned so well, as to raise in him an ardent curiosity to inquire into the merits of that religion; in consequence of which inquiry, he was converted about the year 132. On his embracing that religion, he quitted neither the profession nor the habit of a philosopher; but a persecution breaking out under Antoninus, he composed An Apology for the Christians; and afterwards presented another to the emperor Marcus Aurelius, in which he vindicated the innocence and holiness of the Christian religion against Creitens a Cynic philosopher, and other calumniators. He did honour to Christianity by his learning and the purity of his manners; and suffered martyrdom in 167. Besides his two Apologies, there are still extant his Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew; two treatises addressed to the Gentiles, and another on the unity of God. Other works are also ascribed to him. The best editions of St Justin are those of Robert Stephens, in 1551 and 1571, in Greek and Latin; that of Morel, in Greek and Latin, in 1656; and that of Don Prudentius Marandus, a learned Benedictine, in 1742 in folio. His style is plain, and void of all ornament.