Teacher of rhetoric, adviser to Constantine · c. 250 – c. 325

Lactantius

Called the Christian Cicero for his Latin style. He wrote the Divine Institutes, the first systematic account of Christian belief in Latin, and was tutor to the emperor Constantine's son.

Writings

1. Treatise · 7 parts

   The Divine Institutes

   Seven books that set out Christian belief for educated Romans, from false religion to true wisdom, justice and the happy life.

   811 min read · translated by William Fletcher

2. Treatise

   The Epitome of the Divine Institutes

   Treatise by Lactantius.

   120 min read · translated by William Fletcher

3. Treatise

   On the Anger of God

   Treatise by Lactantius.

   82 min read · translated by William Fletcher

4. Treatise

   On the Workmanship of God

   Treatise by Lactantius.

   74 min read · translated by William Fletcher

5. Treatise

   Of the Manner In Which the Persecutors Died

   Treatise by Lactantius.

   80 min read · translated by William Fletcher

6. Collection · 3 parts

   Other Writings

   Letters, homilies, sermons, commentaries, fragments and shorter pieces by Lactantius that are not published as books, in the order of the New Advent collection.

   13 min read · translated by William Fletcher

Image: drawn in the site’s engraved style from “Ancient philosopher (probably Apuleius or Lactantius) on late antique ceiling painting from Trier” ((late antique ceiling painting from Trier, about AD 330)), public domain, Wikimedia Commons.

All the Fathers