Opis:
This article presents the results of a semantic analysis of the noun fides to which Laetantius recursone hundred and four times. Following a semantic presentation of the various meanings of this word, based on Fraenkl’s article in his Thesaurus linguae latinae, the author draws conclusions as to a more general use of the mentioned term with "Christian Cicero” qualities. Laetantius employs the word fides very economically and unsymetrically. This is a manifestation of a tendency to avoid Christian terminology as well as to treat the Christian religion as a sapientia and iustitia. The content and scope of fides in Lactantius’ works proves him to be not a Stole, but a Christian, upon whom Cicero bestowed the cloak of verbal eminence.