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 a historical and literary study authors timothy david barnes timothy d barnes editor oxford university press contributor quintus septimus florens tertullianus edition reprint. Tertullian a historical and literary study 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. In his first major work which was based on his phd thesis t d barnes offers a striking revision of what was then current opinion on tertullian the book has of course two stated purposes an historical and a literary study barnes states that no biography of tertullian is possible however his historical analysis is keen