Tertullians apologeticus a historical and literary study the apologeticus has been hailed by many writers as the unexcelled master piece of christian apologetics x and regarded as the best defence of christian ity against all charges that could possibly be brought against it by its ene mies. Tertullian lived and wrote in roman carthage during the reigns of septimus severus 193 211 and his son caracalla 211 217 his voluminous tracts and pamphlets reveal the atmosphere of early christianity in an era of persecution. Tertullian a historical and literary study by timothy david barnes 1985 10 10 books amazonca. Timothy david barnes tertullian a historical and literary study pp viii 320 oxford clarendon press 1971 cloth 6 the increasing interest taken by british classical scholars in problems relating to early church history has been a welcome development through the work of a n sherwin white sarum lectures of 1963 touching on the historicity of the gospels and acts of g e m de ste