Justin Martyr was born around 100 AD at Flavia Neapolis (today Nablus) in Samaria into a pagan family, and defined himself as a Gentile.His grandfather, Bacchius, had a Greek name, while his father, Priscus, bore a Latin name, which has led to speculations that his ancestors may have settled in Neapolis soon after its establishment or that they were descended from a Roman "diplomatic" community that had been sent there.