Antiquorum martyriorum collectio

Collection of Ancient Martyrdoms. From the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius, son of Pamphilus, concerning the holy martyrs who contended in various cities at various times. 1. Under Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Verus, when a persecution was stirred up in Smyrna of Asia, many others also completed the contest of martyrdom; and the noble Germanicus, cast to the beasts for food, having forced and provoked them to remove him more quickly from his present life, received the blessed end. At that time also the divine Polycarp was wholly burnt by fire for God; and they say that he was also pierced with a sword in the fire itself, since he was not consumed by it, and that much blood flowed from the wound, so that even the pyre was extinguished, and his precious relic was found whole and unharmed, which was again burnt by the unbelievers. And the renowned Pionius, among the martyrs of that time, having endured unbearable tortures, both nailings and rackings, and scourges, and the punishment by fire, attained the blessed end. These things are from the letter written in person by the Church of Smyrna. Under the same emperors, Ptolemy, having converted a woman of noble birth to piety, was denounced by her husband to Urbicius the prefect; and when Urbicius ordered him to be led away, the noble Lucius, having spoken boldly, was himself led away to death. These things Justin, truly the most philosophical and a martyr of Christ, says in his Apology to Antoninus concerning our doctrine; who himself also was then adorned with a divine martyrdom.

hat a certain Crescens, one of the Cynic philosophers among the Greeks, contrived a plot, a persecution was stirred up in Lugdunum of Gaul, and very many were adorned with martyrdom for Christ. Among them, the most renowned and noblest are these: Pothinus, who had been bishop of that city, after being maltreated by the common crowd and thrown into prison, on the fourth day commended his soul to the Lord; after him, Irenaeus became bishop of the parish in Lugdunum. Biblis, who was one of those who had denied the faith, since she was urged to blaspheme the Lord as well, but could not bring herself to do this, was again subjected to the torture of a slave, and there, through the perceptible punishment, coming to remembrance of the punishment in Gehenna, she again confessed herself a Christian, and thus expired amid the very tortures. And to the company of the martyrs were added Sanctus, a deacon from the city of Vienna, and Maturus; after being tortured in every way for many days, they were finally forced to sit on a red-hot iron chair, and while being struck by the whole populace and dragged by beasts that were set upon them, they completed the contest of martyrdom.

After them, the noble Blandina, having first displayed the greatest endurance and undergone various tortures, was hung on a post and then set out as food for the beasts that were let in, and when none of them touched her, she was taken down from the post and thrown back into prison, kept for a second contest, in which she again suffered greatly, and after the scourges, after the beasts, after the gridiron, was finally cast into a basket and thrown to a wild bull, and thus she gave up her soul to the Lord. With her, a certain boy, Ponticus, also endured every punishment nobly and gave up his spirit. Alexander, a physician from Phrygia, standing by the tribunal when the martyrs were being examined, was conspicuous among those present, encouraging them in spirit to the confession; and when the crowd grew angry at this, he was asked by the magistrate who he was and from where, and he confessed himself a Christian; and thus condemned to fight with beasts, he was brought in the next day with a certain Attalus, a Pergamene by birth, and they, having passed through all the instruments devised for punishment, were finally put to death themselves. And many others were then perfected by fire, by beasts, and by various punishments, and also suffocated in prisons, whose bones the sons of perdition collected and consigned to fire, and scattered their ashes into the Rhone river. Among these, Alcibiades, being one of the divine confessors, who previously, from excessive asceticism, lived so as to partake of nothing other than bread and water, attempted to live thus also in the prison.

As for Attalus, about whom we spoke earlier, it was revealed to him that Alcibiades was not acting rightly in not using the creations of God. Having learned this from him, he partook of everything without hesitation, giving thanks to God. Let this suffice here as proof that one should not absolutely abstain from certain foods as though they could cause harm, since all the creations of God are good, very good, and it is not they that are accustomed to cause harm, but rather the immoderate use of them. These things are from the letter written in the name of the Church in Lugdunum. 2. Under the reign of Severus, Roman emperor, when a persecution was stirred up in Alexandria of Egypt, very many and most distinguished persons suffered for their faith in Christ. Among them was Leonides, the father of Origen, who was beheaded, leaving his son as a mere child. This Origen had such a passion for martyrdom that he would advance into the midst of dangers, leap forward, and eagerly rush into the contest. At that time, however, his mother hid all his clothing, forcing him to remain at home without going out. He sent a letter of encouragement concerning martyrdom to his father, who was imprisoned, in which he says verbatim: "Take care that you do not think otherwise on our account." This man, having become great and renowned in both words and deeds at that time, presided over the catechetical school in Alexandria, and having urged many of his students to a zeal similar to his own, made them martyrs of Christ. The first of these was Plutarch, and when he was being led away to death, Origen himself was very nearly killed as well, being present, since he was considered the cause of his destruction.

And later, in the time of Decius, he stood before a tyrannical tribunal, as one who reverenced Christ; but he did not attain martyrdom, God, I think, having judged him unworthy of this, because of his perversity concerning doctrines and right faith; for he deserted, and this after an experience of tortures. A second of Origen's students is proclaimed a martyr, Serenus, who by fire furnished the proof of the faith he had received. A third martyr from the same school is established, Heraclides, and after him a fourth, Heron; the former still a catechumen, the latter a neophyte, they were beheaded. In addition to these, another Serenus, the former one, after enduring very many tortures, is punished by beheading. And among the women, Herais, still a catechumen, undergoes the baptism by fire. After these, a seventh, Basilides, who led up the renowned Potamia. For taking her and leading her away to death, he was restraining those who were troubling her and insulting her with licentious words in every way, and pushing them away; and she, having accepted his compassion toward her, the man

he exhorts him to be of good courage, for she had gone to ask her Christ, and that this reward for what had been done to her would not be long in coming. Having said this, she nobly endured her end, boiling pitch being poured over her. Not long after, Basilides, being asked by his fellow soldiers to take an oath for some reason, said that it was not permitted to him, being a Christian, to swear at all. They, at first thinking he was joking, brought him before the magistrate, before whom he confessed his steadfastness and was handed over to chains. When the brothers in God came to him and inquired about the reason for his unexpected impulse, he said that he had seen the martyr Potamia on the third day after her martyrdom, standing before him, placing a crown on his head, and that she had besought the Lord on his behalf, and that she had obtained the request, and that he would be taken up not long after. After this, the brothers gave him the seal in the Lord, and on the following day, having distinguished himself by the Lord's martyrdom, he was beheaded.

Under the persecution set in motion under Decius in the same city of Alexandria, very many of those who had placed their hope in Christ were adorned with the martyrdoms for his sake; among these were the following. A certain presbyter named Metras, arrested at the beginning of the persecution by the common mob, and ordered to utter impious words, since he did not comply, was beaten on the body with clubs, and his face and eyes were pierced with sharp reeds, and finally he was led to the suburb to be stoned, and thus he commended his soul to the Lord. A woman named Quinta, since she would not consent to worship the idols, was led to an idol temple, her feet bound with ropes, and dragged naked through the whole city, and having been brought to the same place, was stoned by the crowd and died. Apollonia, a virgin and a presbytera, being compelled to sacrifice to idols, had her teeth knocked out by blows to her jaws; then, when a pyre was kindled and those holding her threatened to throw her into it, she drew back a little and, after a pause, leaped vigorously into the fire and was burned up. And after her, they seized Sarapion at his hearth, tortured him with harsh torments, broke all his joints, and threw him headlong from the upper story. Julian, who was gout-ridden and unable to stand or walk, was brought forward together with two other Christians who were carrying him; of these, one immediately denied, but the other, named Cronion, and Julian himself, were paraded through the whole city mounted on camels, beaten by the crowd, and finally delivered to the fire.

And one of the soldiers, named Besas, standing by as they were being led away and opposing those who were insulting them, was surrounded when they cried out, and his head was cut off. Another, a Libyan by race, named Macar, when the judge persistently urged him to deny, since he was not persuaded, was delivered to the fire and, true to his name, obtained a blessed end. 4. Epimachus and Alexander, after them, having remained prisoners for a long time and endured countless tortures, were also burned with fire and scrapers and whips. And three women were brought forward, one of them named Ammonaria; when the judge tortured her very vehemently, she having declared beforehand that she would utter none of what he commanded, she kept her promise and was led away. The others, Mercuria and Dionysia, since the ruler was ashamed to attempt the impossible and to be defeated by women, had their heads cut off by the sword, without experiencing further tortures. Heron, and Ater, and Isidorus, and with them Dioscorus, a boy about fifteen years old, having stood firm, after enduring various tortures were delivered to the fire. Dioscorus, having spoken with great boldness and answered the governor's questions courageously, the ruler, marveling at his answers and taking pity on his age, was released, having become a perfect martyr in intention.

A certain Nemesion, an Egyptian, having endured a flogging as a robber and having been acquitted of that charge, and then being informed against again as a Christian, was examined with double the number of lashes than if he had been a robber, and was burned alive between two robbers, being honored with the example of Christ. Ammon, Zeno, Ptolemy, Ingenuus, and Theophilus, standing before the tribunal, and encouraging by nods toward confession one who was already inclining to denial, when they perceived the crowds becoming angry at this, before they could be seized by them, proclaimed themselves Christians, and were thus led away to death. Ischyrion, who was steward to one of the magistrates, when his paymaster ordered him to sacrifice, since he was not persuaded to do this, received a very large staff thrust against his seat, which passed through his bowels and intestines, and gave up the spirit. These things are from the letter of Dionysius of Alexandria. 5. Under the reign of Valerian, emperor of the Romans, when a persecution was set in motion, in Caesarea of Palestine, three men, Priscus, Mallus, and Alexander, living in the countryside, when they had learned of the persecution, calling themselves negligent and slothful, rushed with one accord into the city, and having shone brilliantly in their confession for Christ, were adorned with a divine martyrdom, becoming food for wild beasts. Under Gallienus, in the aforementioned city, Marinus, having approached to obtain the rank of centurion, attained the heavenly soldiery through martyrdom. For someone came forward before the tribunal and said that it was not permitted for him to partake of the Roman rank, since he was a Christian and did not obey the emperors.

So then, when Marinus was asked and confessed himself a Christian with frankness, he received from the governor a period of three hours for consideration. And when he had stepped outside the tribunal, Theotecnus, the bishop there, took him by the hand and led him into the church, taking the divine book of the Gospels in his hands and at the same time showing the sword attached to it: "Choose quickly whichever of these you wish," he said. And when Marinus, without delay, stretched out his right hand and received the divine Scripture, Theotecnus said to him, "Then hold fast to God, and may you obtain what you have chosen, strengthened by him, and go in peace." Then, returning from there and confessing the same again, he was led away to death and was perfected. Thus Astyrius, who had been a senator at Rome, beloved by emperors and known to all, having wrapped the precious relic in a splendid and costly garment, and having raised it openly on his shoulders before everyone, delivered it to the proper burial.

6. Under Diocletian and Maximian, when the edict against Christians was posted in Nicomedia, he tore it down with both hands and broke it. And having done this, he was immediately seized, and after suffering many torments, such as one might expect for one caught in so great a daring act, he departed this life through martyrdom. Another at the same time, one of the pages about the emperor, named Peter, proved to be harder than rock in his confession. For when he was ordered to sacrifice and resisted, he was lifted up high on a wooden frame, stripped, and his body was so lacerated with whips that the bones were already visible where the flesh had fallen away. And when, even while suffering these things, he remained unyielding, they mixed vinegar with salt and poured it over the rotting parts of his body. And when he proved superior even to these pains, he was placed on a red-hot gridiron. And thus, as the fire gradually consumed what remained of his flesh, he gave up his soul victorious amid those very tortures. Dorotheus and Gorgonius, themselves also of the imperial household, together with many others, after manifold struggles, exchanged life for the noose and carried off the prizes of their godly victory. At the same time, Anthimus, the overseer of the Church in Nicomedia, was beheaded for his martyrdom for Christ; and to him was added a nearly countless multitude of martyrs.

For in the imperial palace at Nicomedia a fire having been kindled in those days, and a report having been spread that the Christians had undertaken the conflagration, by royal command some of the pious there were slain by the sword, others were delivered to the fire, and others were cast into the depths of the sea; and thus perfected in every manner, they were not deemed worthy even after death of the customary burial, but their remains were burned, and the ashes were scattered to the air or cast into the sea. The same things were done against Christians in every province; but they raged most especially in Phoenicia and Syria, Egypt and the Thebaid, Africa and the nation of the Moors. But knowing that it is impossible and altogether impracticable to enumerate by name those who nobly contended in such provinces, and their multitude, and the various modes of their perfection, I shall mention a few of the most notable. Lucianus, a presbyter from Antioch, who was excellent in his whole life and most distinguished in learning, was brought to Nicomedia while the emperor was present, and condemned to inhabit a prison; and while living there, he was starved to death by lack of necessities, and so exchanged life. And this one was from Antioch in Coele-Syria. Of the martyrs in Phoenicia, Tyrannion was the first bishop of the church at Tyre, and Zenobius a presbyter of that at Sidon, and also Silvanus, bishop of the churches around Emesa (this one, with others, became food for wild beasts at Emesa itself).

Both of the aforementioned at Antioch glorified the Word of God unto death, the bishop being cast into the depths of the sea, and Zenobius, the most excellent of physicians, dying steadfastly under the tortures applied to his sides. Of the martyrs in Palestine, Silvanus, bishop of Gaza, at the copper mines in Phoenicia, together with others, forty in number lacking one, is beheaded. And there the Egyptians Peleus and Neilus, bishops, with others, underwent death by fire; and Pamphilus also at that time, being a presbyter of Caesarea in Palestine, is adorned with a divine martyrdom, having contended gloriously. Of those who were distinguishedly perfected in Alexandria and throughout all Egypt and the Thebaid, foremost was Peter, bishop of that same Alexandria, and with him the presbyters Faustus, Dius, and Ammonius, perfect martyrs of Christ, and Phileas and Hesychius, and Pachymius and Theodorus, bishops of the churches in Egypt. At the same time, a certain small town situated in Phrygia, because all its inhabitants dwelling there confessed themselves Christians, the soldiers, having taken it, kindled a fire and burned them together with women and infants, who were calling upon Christ. And another, Adauctus by name, who had attained a Roman office, of a family distinguished among the Italians, of the first

honored by emperors, he then distinguished himself by an unwavering and unswerving confession of Christ, and was adorned with the crown of martyrdom, having nobly completed his contest. And a certain holy and wondrous woman, renowned among all the Antiochenes for wealth, lineage, and good repute, having raised a pair of virgin daughters of conspicuous excellence, when great envy was stirred against them, and they were hiding and sojourning in a foreign land, she summoned them to Antioch; but they were already caught within military nets, and seeing herself and her daughters in desperate straits, and considering the terrible things from men, and unable to bear even hearing with the tips of her ears the threat of prostitution, but also declaring that serving demons was worse than all deaths and every destruction, she proposed to herself and her daughters one release from all these things: refuge in the Lord. And indeed, having agreed together in resolve, and having modestly veiled their bodies, they went to the middle of the road and hurled themselves into a flowing river; thus they ended themselves. And another pair of virgins in Antioch itself, in all things godly and truly sisters, of notable lineage, brilliant in life, young in years, beautiful in body, chaste in soul, pious in character, admirable in zeal, were delivered to the depths of the sea by the servants of the demons.

Why should I now recall by name the rest, and number the multitude of men, and depict the manifold tortures of the wondrous martyrs of Christ—some slain by axes, as happened to those in Arabia; others with their legs broken, as befell those in Cappadocia; and at times suspended head-downward by the feet, and suffocated by the gentle fire kindled beneath, with the smoke of the burning material passing over them, as was inflicted on those in Mesopotamia; and at other times having their noses, ears, and hands mutilated, and the remaining limbs and parts of the body cut to pieces, as was the case in Alexandria? Why must I revive the memory of those in Antioch, roasted on gridirons of fire, not to death but for prolonged torment, and of others who thrust their right hand into fire more quickly than they would touch the abominable sacrifice? Some, fleeing the trial before being captured and falling into the hands of the conspirators, threw themselves from high rooftops, counting death a prize snatched from the wickedness of the impious. Others in Pontus suffered horrors to the hearing, their fingers pierced through from the tips of the nails with sharp reeds; and others had their backs poured over with molten lead, boiling and red-hot, and the most vital parts of their bodies roasted; and still others endured shameful, pitiless, and unspeakable sufferings of limbs and parts, even of the private parts, which cannot be described in words.

The final calamities were these: when at last the rulers in every province had grown weary from the excess of evils, and, exhausted with killing, they turned to what they considered merciful, and at that time their philanthropy decreed that eyes be gouged out and one of the legs be crippled. For these were their merciful acts, the lightest of the punishments against us, so that because of this philanthropy of the impious it was no longer possible to tell the number—beyond all account—of those who first had their right eyes cut out with a sword and cauterized with fire, and then their left feet rendered useless by branding at the ankles, and after this were condemned to the copper mines in the provinces, not so much for service as for suffering and misery.