A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Notwithstanding the high reputation enjoyed by this father, no sure record has been preserved by which we call determine either his exact name, or the place of his nativity, or the date of his birth. In modern works we find him usually denominated Lucius Coelius Firmianus Lactantius ; but the two former appellations, in the second of which Caecilius is often substituted for Coelius, are both omitted by Hieronymus, and also in many MSS., while the two latter are frequently presented in an inverted order; moreover, we have no means of deciding whether Firmianus is a family or a local designation; and sone critics, absurdly enough perhaps, have imagined that Luctantius is a mere epithet, indicating the milk-like softness and sweetness which characterise the style of this author. Since he is spoken of as having been far advanced in life about A. D. 315, he must have been born not later than the middle of the third century, probably in Italy, possibly at Firmium, on the Adriatic, and certainly studied in Africa, where he became the pupil of Arnobius, who taught rhetoric at Sicca. His fame, which surpassed even that of his master, became so widely extended, that about A. D. 301 he was invited by Diocletian to settle at Nicomedeia, and there to practise his art. The teacher of Latin eloquence, however, found so little encouragement in a city whose population was chiefly Greek, that he was reduced to extreme indigence; and, without attempting to turn his talents to account as a public pleader, abandoned his profession altogether, devoting himself entirely to literary composition. There can be little doubt that at this period he became a Christian; and his change of religion may in no small degree have proved the cause of his poverty; for we can scarcely suppose that he would have been left without support by the emperor, had he not in some way forfeited the patronage of the court. We know nothing farther of his career until we find him summoned to Gaul, about A. D. 312-318, when now an old man, to superintend the education of Crispus, son of Constantine, and it is believed that he died at Treves some ten or twelve years afterwards (A. D. 325-330).

[W.R]