[Commemorated at Puteoli and Naples under the name of Artemas, but
in the ancient Martyrology attributed to S. Jerome, he is called
Antimasius, a mistake of copyists for Artimasius or Artemas. The
Acts are those preserved by the Church of Puteoli, and seem to be
founded on others of great antiquity; they exist only in a
fragmentary condition, and give no clue to the date of the
martyrdom.]
Artemas was a pious Christian boy in Puteoli, in the south of Italy. He
was sent to school to one Cathageta, a heathen. Out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh, and the boy, filled with faith, spoke of
his belief to some of his fellow-scholars. It was soon known among the
boys that Artemas was a Christian, and it came to the master's ears.
Cathageta lectured and browbeat the little scholar, and threatened him
with the rod. "You may whip," said the brave boy; "but you will only
whip my faith deeper into me." Then the master, in a rage, shouted to
the boys to punish him, and the cruel tiger-cubs, educated to bloodshed
by the atrocities of the arena, fell upon him with their iron pens,
used for scratching on wax tablets, and stabbed him to death.
[Illustration: THE CONVERSION OF S. PAUL.
After the Cartoon by Raphael.
Jan. 25.]