When the emperor Severus returned victorious from having vanquished
the kings who had taken part with Nigar against him, he published
his cruel edicts against the Christians in the year of Christ 202,
the tenth of his reign. But the general laws of the empire against
foreign religions, and the former edicts of several emperors against
the Christians, were a sufficient warrant to many governors to
draw the sword against them before that time; and we find that the
persecution was very hot in Africa two years before, under the
proconsul Saturninus, in the eighth year of Severus and two hundredth
of Christ. The first who suffered at Carthage were twelve persons,
commonly called the Scillitan Martyrs, probably because they were
of Scillita, a town of the proconsular Africa. They were brought
prisoners to Carthage, and on the 16th of July were presented to the
proconsul whilst he was seated on his tribunal. The six principal
among them were Speratus, Narzalis, and Cittinus; and three women,
Donata, Secunda, and Vestina. The proconsul offered them the
emperor’s pardon if they would worship the gods of the Romans.
Speratus answered in the name of all: “We have never committed any
crime, we have injured no one; so far from it, we have always thanked
God for the evil treatment we have received; wherefore we declare
to you that we worship no other God but the true one, who is the
lord and master of all things; we pray for those who persecute us
unjustly, according to the law we have received.” The proconsul urged
them to swear by the emperor’s genius. Speratus said, “I know not the
genius of the emperor of this world, but I serve the God of heaven,
whom no mortal man hath ever seen or can see. I never committed any
crime punishable by the laws of the state. I pay the public duties
for whatever I buy, acknowledging the emperor for my temporal lord;
but I adore none but my God, who is the King of kings, and sovereign
Lord over all the nations in the world. I have been guilty of no
crime, and therefore cannot have incurred punishment.” Hereupon the
proconsul said, “Let them be carried to prison, and put in the wooden
stocks till to-morrow.”
On the day following, the proconsul being seated on his tribunal,
ordered them all to be brought before him, and said to the women,
“Honor our prince, and offer sacrifice to the gods.” Donata replied,
“We give to Cæsar the honor that is due to Cæsar; but we adore and
offer sacrifice to God alone.” Vestina said, “I also am a Christian.”
Secunda said, “I also believe in my God, and will continue faithful
to him. As for your gods we will neither serve nor adore them.”
The proconsul then ordered them into custody, and having called up
the men, he said to Speratus, “Art thou still resolved to remain
a Christian?” Speratus replied, “Yes, I am, be it known to all, I
am a Christian.” All that had been apprehended with him cried out,
“We also are Christians.” The proconsul said, “Will you not then so
much as deliberate upon the matter, or have any favor shown you?”
Speratus replied, “Do what you please; we die with joy for the sake
of Jesus Christ.” The proconsul asked, “What books are those which
you read and have in reverence?” Speratus answered, “The four gospels
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; the epistles of the apostle
St. Paul, and the rest of the scriptures, revealed by God.”[188] The
proconsul said, “I give you three days to repent in.” Upon which
Speratus made answer, “We will never depart from the faith of our
Saviour Jesus Christ, therefore take what course you think fit.” The
proconsul seeing their constancy and resolution, pronounced sentence
against them in these terms: “Speratus, Narzalis, Cittinus, Veturius,
Felix, Acyllinus, Lætantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestina, Donata,
and Secunda, having acknowledged themselves Christians, and having
refused to pay due honor and respect to the emperor, I condemn them
to be beheaded.” This sentence being read, Speratus, and all those
who were with him, said, “We give God thanks for vouchsafing to
receive us this day as martyrs in heaven, for confessing his name.”
Having said this, they were led to the place of execution, where they
all fell on their knees, and once more gave thanks to Jesus Christ.
Whilst they continued in prayer, their heads were struck off. The
faithful who transcribed their acts out of the public registers,
add:[189] “The martyrs of Christ finished their conflict in the month
of July, and they intercede for us to our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
be given honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Ghost through
all ages.”
Tertullian,[190] soon after their martyrdom, addressed his excellent
apologetic discourse for the Christian religion to the governors
of the provinces, but without success. He testifies[191] that
Saturninus, who first drew the sword against the Christians in
Africa, soon after lost his eyes. As to the emperor Severus, after
carrying on the persecution ten years, whilst he was making war in
Britain, being on his march with his army, his eldest son Bassianus,
surnamed Antonius Caracalla, who marched after him, stopped his
horse, and drew his sword to stab him, but was prevented by others.
Severus only reproached him for it, but died soon after at York, of
grief for his son’s treachery, rather than of the gout, on the 4th of
February in the year 211, having lived sixty-five years, and reigned
seventeen and eight months. His two sons, Antoninus Caracalla and
Geta, succeeded him; but the elder caused the latter to be stabbed in
his mother’s bosom, who was sprinkled with his blood. See the acts
of the Scillitan martyrs, copied from the court registers by three
different Christians, who added short notes, published by Baronius,
ad an. by Tillemont, t. 3, Ceillier, t. 2, p. 211, Cuper the
Bollandist, t. 4, Julij, p. 202, by Ruinart, p. 75, and by Mabillon,
t. 3, Analect. p. 153, and abridged 204.