FELIX Minucius (Minucius Felix, Marcus)

Minucius Felix, Mark; Minucius Felix, Marcus, II / III in. n. e., Latin Christian writer. About him we know only what he says about himself in the dialogue Octavius (Octavius). Apparently, he came from Africa. Was a lawyer by education. It is well known Greek and Roman literature. After graduation, became a famous lawyer in Rome, and adopted Christianity. His friends were Octavius Januarius (Roman) and Caecilius Natalis (from African Kirti). Both interlocutors speak in a single survived till today M.F. Octavius, which has survived among the works as Arnobius Book VIII of his works against the Gentiles (cm. Arnobius). In content Octavius is more like a philosophical dialogue, than an apology. The essence of Christianity M.F. reduces to monotheism, the belief in immortality and ethical perfection Stoics. The reasons are philosophical rather than theological-biblical nature. This little essay originally, based on the works of Cicero: the content and dialogue form, it recalls the nature of the gods, the nature of the development of the topic - About the Law. Also present are references to the Stoics: Seneca the Younger and Posidonius. The advantage of Octavius is the objectivity and lack of harsh criticism. Beautiful language and perfection of composition writing M.F. surpasses all apology II and III centuries. n. e. To this day, lasts for a discussion on the establishment of the Octavia and its relation to the apologetics of Tertullian (197 g.). A treatise on predestination (De fato), attributed to MF, is not authentic