Born in Palestine, Justin was originally a student of Greek Philosophy, moving through the Stoic, Peripatetic, Pythagorean, and Platonic schools of thought before his conversion by an old Christian he tried to debate philosophy with. After his conversion, Justin began a teaching ministry in Rome which is where he wrote both his first and second apologies. Justin’s second apology managed to catch the negative attention of the Roman State, specifically Prefect Junius Rusticus, and was scourged and beheaded with a group of other Christians when he affirmed his faith in Christ and refused to sacrifice to pagan gods.