German criminologists have produced an e-fit of Saint Paul, who lived 2,000 years ago. The picture has been released to coincide with the Year of the Apostle Paul, due to be announced by Pope Benedict XVI on June 29.

According to team involved, Paul was a short, bow-legged, light-skinned man with a craggy face. He had a black beard, hooked nose and a monobrow above large brown eyes.

The identikit is based on numerous historical documents, descriptions and drawings dating back to the second century, which were put together by the German theologist and historian, Michael Hesemann.

Paul, known as Saul before his conversion to Christianity, was a native of Tarsus, now in Turkey. He earned a living by making tents from goats' hair cloth.

An orthodox Jew, Saul developed a fierce hatred of early Christians. Some sources say he was an active leader in a wave of persecution aimed at wiping out Christianity, which had started spreading its influence in Jerusalem at that time.  

After Christ appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, he converted to Christianity and was then known as Paul.