Apologeticum

Apologeticum, from Latin apologeticum meaning "a defense" or "an apology," is used in Latin-language Christian literature to describe works that defend the Christian faith against criticism and misunderstanding. In a broader sense, apologeticum denotes the genre of apologetics, which seeks to provide rational justification for beliefs, practices, and institutions of Christianity.

As a form, apologeticum commonly addresses accusations leveled at Christians by outsiders, such as charges of atheism, immorality, or disloyalty to the state, and aims to present coherent explanations of Christian doctrines, liturgical practices, and ethical commitments. The genre frequently combines exegetical argument, philosophical reasoning, testimony about Christian experience, and appeals to natural law or civic virtue.

In the late antique and medieval Latin-speaking world, the term Apologeticum appears as a designation for certain Latin defenses of the faith, often drawing on earlier Greek apologies and adapting them to Roman audiences. While the most famous early apologetic works are Greek originals, Latin writers produced many defensive treatises, sometimes bearing the title Apologeticum or described as apologetica in catalogues.

Because Latin apologetic writings span several centuries, there is no single canonical "Apologeticum" but rather a genre-wide tradition.

See also: Apology, Christian apologetics, Tertullian, Justin Martyr.