is generally believed to have flourished towards the close of the fifth century of our era, although different critics have fixed upon different epochs, and some, in opposition to all internal evidence, would place him as high as the reigns of Maximinus and the Gordians. In MSS. he is frequently styled Afer Carthaginiensis ; and since, when speaking of himself, he employs the expression
Beata alumnum urbs Elissae quem videt, it seems certain that the city of Dido was the place of his education, if not of his birth also. The assertions, that he rose to the dignity of proconsul, and composed his book at Rome when far advanced in life, rest entirely upon a few ambiguous and probably corrupt words, which admit of a very different interpretation. (Lib. 9.999.) Indeed, we know nothing whatever of his personal history, but an ancient biography is said to exist in that portion of Barth's Adversaria which has never yet been published. (Fabric. Bibl. Lat. 3.100.17.)[W.R]