Justin was born into a pagan, Gentile family around 120 A.D. in Palestine. He studied the wisdom of Plato, Aristotle, and other great Greek thinkers and eventually was to become a professional philosopher. While studying philosophy by the seashore, an old man started a conversation with Justin about philosophy and religion. The man was a Christian and spoke to Justin about Jesus, and how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies in the Jewish holy books. Justin decided to investigate the matter and realized that this was the wisdom that he had been seeking. Converting to Christianity, he started teaching. He lived in Ephesus then moved to Rome. He continued with his writing and speaking about the Christ, even appearing before the emperor with two defenses of the Christian faith. He became an influential teacher in the 2nd century. Unfortunately, a rival philosopher, envious of his success, turned Justin in to the authorities for his beliefs. Justin was martyred around the year 165 A.D.