Asterius of Cappadocia (b. between 260 and 280 CE, Cappadocia, d. after 341 CE) had become a Christian before the year 303 CE, as he recanted during the persecution under Emperor Maximian. He had received a training in the arts (esp. in rhetoric), was inspired by Philo of Alexandria and Origen, and shows Middle Platonic influences. Epiphanius of Salamis and Philostorgius identify him as a pupil of Lucian of Antioch (Epiph. Haer. 76.3, see Holl & Dummer, 1985; Philost. Hist. eccl. 2.14 [Bidez & Winkelmann, 25]). In contrast, Marcellus does not mention Lucian, but twice claim…