tyrants had some of them dragged through the streets, tied to the tails
of horses, and after they were mangled and bruised, they had them put
back into prison, and placed upon beds of potsherds, so that rest might
be more excruciating for them than actual torment. Sometimes they bent
down with great force the branches of trees, and tied one leg to one
branch, and the other to another, and then let the branches spring back
into their natural positions, so that their limbs were shockingly rent
in pieces. They cut off the ears, noses, lips, hands, and the toes of
many, leaving them only the eyes, to inflict still more pain upon them.
They sharpened wooden pegs, which they inserted between the flesh and
the nails; and had lead or tin melted, and poured as hot as possible
over their bare backs.” _Chron., 3d book, p. 78, col. 1, 2, and page
79, col. 1, from Euseb., lib. 8, cap. 2, 3, 16, 17, 18. Fasc. Temp.,
fol. 96. Chron. Mich., fol. 196. Chron. Carionis, fol. 248, 249. Chron.
Seb. Fr., fol. 19. Paul. Merul., fol. 232, 238, 239. Pieter Messiæ,
fol. 148. Chron. Leonh., lib. 1. Hist. Andræ, fol. 175, 176. Jan
Cresp., fol. 66, 67, 68, 70. A. Schri., lib. 13, fol. 349, 350. Hist.
D. Matth. Jud., lib. 4, cap. 3._
FURTHER STATEMENT OF THE CAUSE AND SEVERITY OF THIS PERSECUTION,
ACCORDING TO THE ACCOUNT IN THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MARTYRS MIRROR.
“In A. D. 302, commenced the tenth persecution of the Christians,
namely, in the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Diocletian; for
although it had been smouldering previously already, it was in this
year, that through the edicts, it was caused to break forth in
flames. It was so great as to exceed, not only in cruelty, but also
in duration, all the former ones, for under the tyrannous Emperors,
Diocletian, Maximian, Maxentius, and Maximin, it lasted twelve years,
and this, principally in the east.
“Eusebius, who lived to see this persecution, gives a full description
of it. How awful it was, we may read in his church history, book 8.
He writes that the cause of it was the great liberty enjoyed by the
Christians, who had attained to great distinction. Thus it occurred,
says the author of the _Introduction_, that Diocletian first issued
decrees commanding that all the churches or meeting-places of the
Christians should be demolished, and the Holy Scriptures burned. Then
another decree followed, to the effect, that the leaders, that is,
the teachers and ministers, of the churches, should be compelled to
sacrifice to the gods, or be put to death. Then the tormenting and
putting to death was extended also over the common people of the
Christians.[112] Some were torn with sharp irons, others lacerated
with hooks, some burned with red-hot plates; some were compelled to
sacrifice, and even though they did not sacrifice, it was nevertheless
proclaimed that they had sacrificed.” _Introduction, fol. 42, col. 1,
2_, from _Baronius, in Chron., A. D. 302, num. 1_.
[112] The author writes: “In Egypt they were beheaded in such great
numbers, that the executioners grew tired, and their swords became
dull from cutting. The Christians went unto death gladly, without
being bound, fearing lest they should not be there in time to die as
martyrs.” _Fol. 41._
FURTHER ACCOUNT OF THE CAUSES AND SEVERITIES OF THE ABOVEMENTIONED
PERSECUTION, ACCORDING TO THE ACCOUNT OF J. GYSIUS.
He writes: “In A. D. 302, in the 19th year of his reign, the Emperor
Diocletian instituted a great and unmerciful persecution against the
Christians, which is called the Tenth Persecution. Of this persecution,
Salpitius Severus speaks thus: ‘About fifty years after Valerian, under
the reign of Diocletian and Maximian, there arose the most bitter
persecution, which for ten consecutive years ravaged God’s people.
At this time the whole world was stained with the holy blood of the
martyrs; for men hastened emulously to these glorious and famous
contests, that is, to martyrdom, for the name of the Lord; and to
obtain, through a worthy and honorable death, the honor which belongs
to a martyr was then sought with more eagerness, than at the present
time, through a false ambition, men seek after a bishopric. Never was
the world so greatly depopulated as through this persecution, and never
were greater triumphs gained by us, than when by these ten years of
slaughter we could not be conquered.’” _Salpit. Sever. Hist. Sacr._
“In this persecution, Diocletian also employed his associate, Maximian
Herculeus, a man hard, cruel, faithless, and licentious by nature,
who in all things obeyed Diocletian’s behests. In this persecution
Diocletian raged against those in the east, and Maximian against those
in the west.”
The same author then mentions different causes for this persecution,
one of which he describes in the following manner: “The Emperor
Diocletian, determined to restore the Roman Empire to its ancient
flourishing condition, and being desirous therefore, to reestablish
all the customs which seemed to be trampled upon, endeavored also to
prevent and abolish the difference which he found to exist in the
matter of worship, seeking first of all to exterminate the Christian
religion as one which cursed and rejected all idolatry. There were very
many philosophers and sophists who instigated the Emperor to this, and
confirmed him in his purpose. By violent and satiric writings they
incited the Emperor and all the princes and judges, ridiculed the
Christian religion, and charged it with being an innovation, falsehood,
and wicked superstition. On the other hand, they extolled the heathen
religion as the most ancient, together with the worship of the gods,
who as they said, ruled the world by their power and majesty.
“Among these instigators, besides Apollinius, were Porphyry, a
philosopher, who from a Jew had become a Christian, and from a
Christian an apostate; and Hierocles, a man of great popularity.
Against Porphyry wrote, Methodius, bishop of Tyre, Eusebius, and
Apollinaris; and against Hierocles wrote this same Eusebius. Lactantius
wrote against both, and all others of the same stamp.”
Touching the torments, he writes among other things the following: “It
would take too long to recount in writing, all the different manners in
which, through the instigation of the devil, the Christians were put to
death at this particular time. Beating, scourging, and lacerating the
skin with all manner of sharp instruments, were simply preparatories
for severer torments that brought on death. Over some, molten lead was
poured; some were roasted before glowing coals, with long-continued
torments (as we have shown in another place); others had the fingers
of both hands pierced with sharp awls and needles, which were inserted
between the flesh and the nails; of others we read that after having
been beaten on the bare body for a long time with thin rods and leaden
plates, they were cast as food before bears, lions, leopards, and
other beasts.” A little further on he says: “Some were suffocated with
the smoke of a slow fire of moistened combustibles; others, whose
noses, ears, and hands had been cut off, were suffered to roam in
misery about the country, as a terror to other, unknown Christians.”
As touching the places where these cruelties were inflicted upon the
defenseless and innocent Christians, the aforementioned author writes:
“This persecution extended over the whole world--Asia, Africa, Europe,
and all the islands, especially Cecilia, Lesbos, and Sonnus.”
Then, after having related the destruction of several cities, he says:
“Many other cities had to taste in their whole body the bitter cup of
this persecution; especially, Thebes and Antino, in Egypt; Nicopolis,
in Thracia; Aquileia, in Italy, where all the Christian believers were
slain; Florence, Bergamo, Verona, Naples, Beneventum, and Venusia; in
Gallia, Marseilles and Treves, where Rictionarus proceeded with such
violence and cruelty, in this matter, that the blood which was shed,
colored many rivers; in Germany, the city of Augusta, and even Spain,
Britannia, Rhetia, and other provinces were not exempt.” _Joh. Gys.
Hist., fol. 22, col. 2–4, and fol. 23, col. 1, 2_, from _Euseb., lib.
7. Oros., lib. 7, cap. 26, 27. Nic., lib. 7. Idem, lib. 7. Multis. cap.
Vinc., in Speculo, lib. 12. Sabell. Ennead, lib. 7 and 8_.
NOTICE TO THE READER.
Before we proceed to give a special account of the martyrs who were
put to death in this persecution, we deem it necessary to call the
attention of the reader to the following points.
1. That after A. D. 300, that is, in the beginning of this century,
many errors began to arise among some of those who were called
Christians, especially among those who belonged under the Roman
dominion. Yea, they went so far as to resort to carnal weapons (which,
however, had already previously been done by some); through which the
defenseless and meek lambs of Christ suffered not a little distress,
fear, and sorrow.
2. That, besides the martyrs of the true faith, some of the aforesaid
class suffered themselves to be killed for their opinions; whereby the
death and the glorious martyrdom of the true Christian believers were
not a little obscured.
3. That, in order to distinguish these from the former, we have exerted
our utmost diligence, so that as far as we know, there are not found
among the martyrs of whom we have given, or may yet give, an account,
any who can be shown to have been guilty of gross errors, much less of
the shedding of blood. At least we have not been able to detect it in
any of them, and hence in accordance with the spirit of love, we must
judge and believe the best of them.
As this persecution under Diocletian and Maximian was not only very
severe, but also of long duration, we have deemed it well to present
its years separately in consecutive order, and to show what the pious
martyrs suffered in each year, steadfastly confessing with their blood
the truth of God.
FIRST YEAR OF THE PERSECUTION COMMENCED A. D. 302.
The sword of Diocletian had now been drawn from its sheath, and there
remained nothing but the shedding of blood, and murdering and burning
in manifold ways, all directed against the innocent and defenseless
lambs of Christ; of which we shall directly give some examples.
ANTHIMUS, BISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, AT NICOMEDIA, AS ALSO MANY
MEMBERS OF HIS CHURCH, BEHEADED IN THAT CITY, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF
JESUS CHRIST, A. D. 302.
Among the first martyrs of the Tenth Persecution is counted Anthimus,
who was bishop of the church of Christ at Nicomedia. It is stated that
he was beheaded in that city for the testimony of Jesus Christ; as
also a great number of that church, all of whom obtained with him, in
great steadfastness, the crown of martyrdom. See, _Abr. Mell. Hist.,
1st book, fol. 100, col. 1. Acta per Metaphr., 27 April. Niceph. Hist.,
lib. 7, cap. 6._ Also, _Acta super Euphrasiam. P. J. Twisck, for the
year 204, in Chr., lib. 4_.
FULLER ACCOUNT OF THE MARTYRDOM AND DEATH OF ANTHIMUS, AS RECORDED BY
J. GYSIUS.
He writes: “At this time there was also beheaded, after a glorious
confession, Anthimus, bishop of Nicomedia, together with a great number
of the faithful. Nicephorus writes that he was first most cruelly
beaten; that they then bored his heels through with burning pins, threw
him on potsherds, put red-hot slippers on his feet, tore the skin and
flesh from his body, burned him with torches, stoned him, and finally
beheaded him.” The same way trod Tyrannion, bishop of the church of
Tyre, Zenobius of Sidon, Sylvanus of Gaza, and Pamphilius, concerning
whom Eusebius wrote a special book.” _Joh. Gys., fol. 23, col. 3_, from
_Euseb., lib. 8, cap. 6_. _Cyprian., lib. 7, cap. 6._
PHILEAS, BISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, AT THUMIS, IN EGYPT,
BEHEADED AT THAT PLACE, FOR THE EVANGELICAL TRUTH, A. D. 302.
It is related that after the death of the aforementioned martyrs,
Phileas, Bishop of the Church of Thumis, in Egypt, was sentenced to
death, and beheaded, by virtue of the edict of the Emperor, on account
of his faith in Jesus Christ, and because he would not give honor to
the gods, nor sacrifice to them. Jerome has written of him that after
he became bishop, he wrote a very excellent book in praise of the
martyrs. In _Catalogo_.
The author of the _Introduction_, has left on record these words
concerning him: “Phileas, Bishop at Thumis, who was entreated by the
Judge to have regard for his wife and children, remaining steadfast,
nevertheless, was beheaded.” _Introduction, fol. 43, col. 1_, compared
with _Mellinus, 1st book, fol. 101_, from _Euseb._
AN EXTRACT FROM THE LETTERS WHICH THE AFOREMENTIONED MARTYR PHILEAS
WROTE CONCERNING THE PERSECUTION AT ALEXANDRIA, TO THE CHURCH OF
CHRIST AT THUMIS, AND LEFT FOR THE ADMONITION AND CONSOLATION OF ALL
BELIEVERS; CONTAINING THE AWFULNESS OF THE TORMENTS INFLICTED ON THE
BELIEVERS, AND HOW STEADFASTLY THEY BORE UP UNDER THEM.
NOTE.--The first part of the letter of bishop Phileas is translated
thus by Eusebius in his _Church History, 8th book, 10th chapter_.
Phileas writes: “The holy martyrs who fought with us, have left us good
examples. Being taught out of the divine Scriptures, they fixed the
eyes of their hearts on God, and voluntarily, without the least fear,
apprehended death for the sake of the truth. For they constantly bore
in mind that our Lord Jesus Christ became man for our sakes; and that
he has taught us, to fight against sin even unto death. For, being
equal with God, he thought it not robbery, but made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant. And being found
in fashion as a man, he humbled himself unto death, even the death of
the cross. The holy martyrs followed his example, enduring all pain and
torment, that they might not stain the conscience of their faith; for
the perfect love which was in them cast out all fear. It is impossible
for me to describe the power, patience, and steadfastness of the
martyrs, yea, it is scarcely credible except for those who have seen
it with their own eyes; for they were exposed, and every one was at
liberty to inflict upon them whatever contumely or torment he pleased,
and if any invented a new mode of torture, he was permitted to torment
them with it himself.”
Thus far Eusebius’ translation; what now follows, is thus related by
Mellinus, from the above letter of Phileas.
“As every heathen had been given full power over the Christians, to
inflict upon them all manner of vexation, mockery, and ignominy, yea,
to put them to death in every way; they beat some with sticks, others
with rods, scourges, whips, thongs, ropes, or whatever they could
the most readily lay hold of; which spectacle was changed now and
then by new kinds of torture and beating which the Christians had to
undergo. Some of them had their hands tied behind their backs, and were
suspended from a gibbet, and then all their members were stretched
apart by executioner’s instruments. They were then, through the command
of the magistrate, scourged with iron rods on the whole body, not only
on their sides, as was customary to do with murderers, but even on the
belly, the shins, buttocks, and some on all the most sensitive parts
of the body. Others were suspended by one hand to the ceiling of a
gallery, and thus stretched limb from limb, which exceeds every other
torture. Others were tied back to back to pillars or columns, but so
that their feet did not touch the ground; and the more the executioners
or their assistants tightened the ropes, the more were the martyrs
tormented by the weight of their own bodies. And this cruel torment
lasted not only while the President was engaged in examining them, but
he often let them hang a whole day in this torment. While the President
or criminal Judge would go from one to the other to examine them on
the rack, he had his servants closely observe the first ones, to see
whether any of them, overcome by the intensity of the torments, were
ready to yield. He also commanded his executioners that they should
tighten the ropes on them the longer the more. But if they should see
that the martyrs were almost ready to die, then they should take them
down, and drag them over the ground, over stones, shells, potsherds,
and caltrops. For they had no other consideration for the Christians,
then how they might subject them, if it were possible, to a thousand
deaths--just as though they were not human beings.
“Over and above all the tortures mentioned, the enemies of Christ
invented still another mode of torment for his anointed, or holy
martyrs; for after they had tormented them, they placed some with their
feet in the block, and violently stretched apart their legs, as far
as they possibly could, even to the fourth hole, and there fastened
them, so that the bodies of the martyrs must of necessity lie backwards
over the block, yea, that they, on account of their many wounds,
could neither move nor stir. Others, who had been taken down from the
racks or torture-stakes, were thrown half dead upon the bare ground,
which was far more horrible to behold than when they were still being
tormented. Of these some died under the executioner’s hands, while
they were being tormented; others, in whom life was not yet extinct,
were thrown half dead back into prison, and in a few days perished
of pain; others, again, who triumphed over their long imprisonment,
were healed and restored. These became much stronger in the faith
than they had been before, and when it was left to the free choice of
each of them, either to touch the shameful heathen sacrifices, and
thereby be delivered from all trouble, yea, from death itself, and
be invested with the former freedom; or to refuse to sacrifice, and
receive sentence of death, they without the least deliberation chose
the latter, and boldly went unto death, knowing full well, that it is
written in the word of God: ‘He that sacrificeth unto strange gods
shall be cut off from the people.’ Again: ‘Thou shalt have no other
gods before me.’”
Thus far the words of the martyr Phileas, which he wrote in a letter to
the brethren of the church of Thumis, of which he was pastor, while he
was still in prison, and before he had received his sentence of death;
by which letter he wished to inform his church of his condition in
prison, as well as to admonish them in the true godliness in Christ,
and that they should steadfastly continue therein after his death,
which was soon to follow. Compare _Eusebius_, concerning the death of
Phileas, with _A. Mellinus, 1st book, fol. 101, col. 2, 3_.
CASSIAN, A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-TEACHER, BY THE ORDER OF THE MAGISTRATE PUT
TO DEATH BY HIS HEATHEN SCHOLARS, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT
FORUM CORNELII, A. D. 302.
It is stated that in this persecution Cassian, Bishop of the church at
Brescia, in Italy, being compelled to flee on account of the violent
persecution, settled in the city of Forum Cornelii (at present called
Imola), where he established a school for children. However, the
persecution, which also there broke forth, did not spare him; for
shortly afterwards he was denounced as a Christian, and apprehended.
When the Judges asked him what profession or trade he had, he replied
that he was a schoolteacher, and taught children to read and write. He
was also examined concerning his faith, and as he would not abandon
it, or sacrifice to the gods, the Judges sentenced him to a very
unusual death, for this was his sentence: “Let the scourger, that
is, the school-teacher, be pricked, cut, and stabbed to death by his
own scholars, with styles, awls, pens, penknives, and other sharp
instruments such as children make use of in school.”
Thereupon Cassian was stripped naked; his hands were tied behind his
back, and he was thus delivered unto his scholars, to be maltreated
by them in the aforesaid manner. Some of these then stoned him, some
beat him with school-boards and wax-tablets, others stabbed him with
styles, pens, penknives, and other sharp school utensils, till after
unspeakable torments, death ensued, and he, having commended his soul
unto God was thus released from this vale of sorrows. Compare _A.
Mell., 1st book, fol. 104, col. 3, 4_, with _J. Gys., fol. 24, col. 1,
ex Prudent., in Hymno, Steph. Hym., 9. Petr. de Nat., lib. 7_.
EULALIA, A CHRISTIAN MAIDEN, BURNED WITH LAMPS AND TORCHES, AND
SUFFOCATED THEREBY, FOR THE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, AT EMERITA IN
LUSITANIA, A. D. 302.
[Illustration: EULALIA REFUSING THE IDOL WORSHIP.]
At this time there was a Christian maiden, called Eulalia, not more
than twelve or thirteen years old, who was filled with such a desire
and ardor of the spirit, to die for the name of Christ, that her
parents had to take her out of the city of Merida, to some distant
country-seat, and closely confine her there. But this place could not
extinguish the fire of her spirit, or long confine her body; for,
having escaped on a certain night, she went very early the following
day before the tribunal, and with a loud voice said to the Judge and
the whole magistracy: “Are you not ashamed to cast your own souls and
those of others at once into eternal perdition by denying the only true
God, the Father of us all, and the Creator of all things? O ye wretched
men! do you seek the Christians, that you may put them to death?
Behold, here am I, an adversary of your satanical sacrifices. I confess
with heart and mouth God alone; but Isis, Apollo, and Venus are vain
idols.”
The Judge before whose tribunal Eulalia spoke thus boldly, was filled
with rage, and called the executioner, commanding him to take her away
speedily, strip her, and inflict various punishments on her; so that
she, said he, may feel the gods of our fathers, through the punishment,
and may learn that it will be hard for her, to despise the command of
our Prince (that is, of Maximian).
But before he allowed matters to proceed so far, he addressed her
with these soft words: “How gladly would I spare thee! O that thou
mightest renounce before thy death thy perverse views of the Christian
religion? Reflect once, what great joy awaits thee, which thou mayest
expect in the honorable state of matrimony. Behold, all thy friends
weep for thee, and thy sorrow-stricken, well-born kindred sigh over
thee, that thou art to die in the tender bloom of thy young life. See,
the servants stand ready to torture thee to death with all sorts of
torments; for thou shalt either be beheaded with the sword, or torn by
the wild beasts, or singed with torches, which will cause thee to howl
and wail, because thou wilt not be able to endure the pain; or, lastly
be burned with fire. Thou canst escape all these tortures with little
trouble, if thou wilt only take a few grains of salt and incense on the
tips of thy fingers, and sacrifice it. Daughter, consent to this, and
thou shalt thereby escape all these severe punishments.”
This faithful martyr did not think it worth the trouble to reply either
to the entreating or the threatening words of the Judge, but, to say it
briefly, pushed far away from her and upset[113] the images, the altar,
censor, sacrificial book, etc.
[113] A certain author speaks of her having spit into the face of the
tyrant; which is to be understood of the image or idol.
Instantly two executioners came forward, who tore her tender limbs,
and with cutting hooks or claws cut open her sides to the very ribs.
Eulalia, counting and recounting the gashes on her body, said: “Behold,
Lord Jesus Christ! thy name is being written on my body; what great
delight it affords me to read these letters, because they are signs of
thy victory! Behold, my purple blood confesses thy holy name.”
This she spoke with an undaunted and happy countenance, evincing not
the least sign of distress, though the blood flowed like a fountain
from her body. After she had been pierced through to her ribs with
pincers, they applied burning lamps and torches to the wounds in her
sides, and to her abdomen. Finally the hair of her head was ignited by
the flame, and taking it in her mouth, she was suffocated by it. This
was the end of this heroine, young in years, but old in Christ, who
loved the doctrine of her Savior more than her own life. _A. Mell., 1st
book, fol. 105, col. 4, and fol. 106, col. 1, 2_, compared with _J.
Gys., fol. 23, col. 3, ex Prudent. Steph. Hym. 3_.