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.