Arnobius of Sicca

Arnobius the Elder (c. 255–330 CE) was a celebrated professor of Latin rhetoric at Sicca Veneria (modern Le Kef in western Tunisia), where he educated many famous scholars including Lactantius. For decades an outspoken pagan critic of Christianity, he experienced a dramatic conversion following visionary dreams around 297 CE.

When the local bishop doubted the sincerity of the famous former pagan orator, Arnobius proved his conviction by authoring Adversus Nationes (Against the Pagans) in seven books. Drawing on his encyclopedic knowledge of Roman, Greek, and Etruscan religious cults, Arnobius delivered a devastating critique of pagan polytheism, animal sacrifice, and divine immorality.