1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 101 
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Bishop of Nicomedia; martyr
Anthimus brought with him a large number of martyrs and was beheaded. 1570, p. 111; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia, sub Gorgonius]
Christian; he and his family lived at Diocletian's court; martyred at Nicomedia
Dorotheus, like a number of other Christians, was held in high esteem at the court of Diocletian. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
Dorotheus and Gorgonius were said to have urged a fellow Christian undergoing torture to remain constant. 1570, p. 112; 1576, p. 80; 1583, p. 80.
When he and Gorgonius objected to the treatment of their colleague Peter and said they themselves were Christians, they were strangled. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
CloseEarly C4 martyrs at Nicomedia (Izmit)
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 111; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(263 - 339) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Christian scholar, presbyter at the church at Caesarea; wrote History of the Church
Eusebius said that he himself had known the martyrs in Palestine who died during Diocletian's persecution. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 77.
He personally witnessed the persecutions in the Thebiade. 1570, p. 113; 1576, p. 80; 1583, p. 80.
He was present at the martyrdom of Philoromus at Alexandria. 1570, p. 128; 1576, p. 93; 1583, p. 92.
Eusebius received a letter from Constantine, instructing him to build and repair churches in Caesarea. 1570, p. 141; 1576, p. 104; 1583, p. 103.
Foxe uses Eusebius extensively as a source throughout Book 1.
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Christian imperial official, favourite of Diocletian; martyred at Nicomedia
[There are five other martyrs with same name]
Gorgonius, like a number of other Christians, was held in high esteem at the court of Diocletian. 1570, p. 108; 1576, p. 77; 1583, p. 76.
Gorgonius and Dorotheus were said to have urged a fellow Christian undergoing torture to remain constant. 1570, p. 112; 1576, p. 80; 1583, p. 80.
When he and Dorotheus objected to the treatment of their colleague Peter and said they themselves were Christians, they were strangled. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
CloseTaught philosophy in Bologna in (1351 - 52); writer and historian
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 68, 78, 80, 86, 98, 104, 110, 146; 1576, pp. 40, 45, 53, 55, 60, 69, 74, 79, 108; 1583, pp. 40, 45, 53, 55, 59, 69, 74, 78, 107.
CloseLegendary persecutor under Diocletian
Hermanus was supposed to have caused the wife of Diocletian to be martyred. 1570, p. 111; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
CloseChief officer at Nicomedia early C4
Illyricus was said to have presided over the execution of martyrs in Nicomedia. 1570, p. 111; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. 312) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Priest of the church of Antioch; breach with the orthodox party, reconciled; martyred under Maximinus Daia
Lucian presented an Apology to the emperor on behalf of the Christians, after which he was taken to Nicomedia, imprisoned and killed. 1570, p. 117; 1576, p. 84; 1583, p. 83.
Close(d. c. 309) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Presbyter of Caesarea; biblical scholar; friend and teacher of Eusebius; established a library and a school; martyr
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. early C4) Christian at Diocletian's court; martyr
Peter had been well treated at court. He was then beaten and burnt to death. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
CloseLegendary saint supposed to be one-time wife of Diocletian and martyr
She is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 111; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Bishop of Emesa; martyr under Maximinus
Sylvanus was thrown to wild beasts. 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Closed. c. 310; [Catholic Encylopedia sub Gaza]
Bishop of Gaza; died at the mines of Phaeno
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. early C4); of Tarsus in Cicilia; martyrs
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Bishop of Tyre; martyr under Diocletian; captured and drowned at Antioch
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 78.
Close(d. early C4) physician of Tyre; martyr
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 110; 1576, p. 78; 1583, p. 78.
Close[Cesaria]
Israel
Coordinates: 32° 30' 0" N, 34° 53' 59" E
Close[Philomilium]
Anatolia, Turkey
Coordinates: 40° 46' 0" N, 29° 55' 0" E
Close(Tarsos; Juliopolis) [Iuliopolis; Tharsus]
Cilicia Prima (Mersin Province), Turkey
Coordinates: 36° 55' 0" N, 34° 54' 0" E
Close[Tyrus; Tire]
Lebanon
Coordinates: 33° 16' 8" N, 35° 12' 59" E
them, they were made much of. Albeit this purpose of the aduersary, did nothing preuayle against the holye and constaunt seruaunts of Christ. Notwithstanding, of the weake sort innumerable there were, which for feare & infirmity fell and gaue ouer, euen at the first brunt.
At the first comming downe of these edictes into Nicomedia, there chanced a dede to be done, much worthy of memory, of a Christien,MarginaliaThe noble courage and constancie of a Christian Martyr. being a noble man borne, which moued by the zeale of God, after the proclamation made at Nicomedia was set vp, by and by ranne and tooke downe the same, and openly tare and rent it in peeces, not fearing the presence of the two Emperours, then being in the citie. For which acte he was put to a most bitter death, whiche death he with great faith & constancie endured euen to the last gaspe, Euseb. lib. 8. lib. 3. & 5.MarginaliaEuseb Lib. 8. Cap. 3. 4.
[Back to Top]After this the furious rage of the malignaunt Emperours, being let loose against the saintes of Christ proceeded more & more, making hauock of gods people through out all quarters of the worlde. MarginaliaPersecution first beginning in the Emperonrs Campe. First Dioclesian which had purposed with himselfe to subuert the whole christian religion, executed his tyranny in the east) and Maximianus in the west, But wily Dioclesian began very subtilye; for hee put the matter first in practise in his owne campe, among whom the marshall of the field, as Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 4. affirmeth,MarginaliaEuseb. Lib. 8. cap. 4. put the Christian Souldiers to this choise, whether they would obey the Emperors commaundement in that maner of sacrifice he cōmaunded, and so both to keepe their offices, and leade their bands, or els to lay away from thē their armor and weapons. MarginaliaA notable religion and fayth in souldiours. Whereunto the Christen men couragiously aunswered, that they were not only ready to lay away their armour & weapons, but also to suffer death if it should with tiranny be enforced vnto them, rather thē they would obey the wicked decrees and comaundements of the Emperour.
[Back to Top]There might a man haue seene very manye whiche were desirous to liue a simple and poore life: and whiche regarded no estimation and honour in comparison of true pietie & godlines. And this was no more but a subtile and wily flattery in the beginning, to offer them to be at theyr owne liberty, whether they would willingly abiure their profession or not; as also this was an other, that in the beginning of the persecution, there were but a few tormented with punishment, but afterwarde by little and little hee began more manifestlye to braste out into persecution: It can hardly be expressed with wordes what number of Martirs, and what bloud was shedde through all cities and regions for the name of Christ. Eusebius, in his 8 booke & chap. 7.MarginaliaEuseb. Lib. 8. cap. 7. saith that he himselfe knew the worthy Martirs that were in Palestina. MarginaliaMartyrs of Tyre in Phœnicia. But in Tire of Phenicia he declareth in the same a marueilous martyrdome made, where certayne christians being geuen to most cruell wild beasts were preserued without hurt of them, to the great admiration of the beholders and those Lions, Beares, and Lybardes (kept hungry for that purpose) had no desire to deuoure them, which notwithstanding most vehementlye raged against those by whome they were brought into the stage, and stoode as they thought without daunger of thē, such were first deuoured. But the Christian Martyrs because they could not be hurt of the beasts being slayne with the sworde, were afterwarde throwen into the sea. At that time was martyred the Bishop of Sydon. But Syluanus the Byshop of Gazensis with 39. other were slayne in the mettall mynes of Phenitia. MarginaliaPamphilius Byshop of Cesarea martyr. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 12. Pamphilus the elder of Cesarea being the glory of that congregation, died a most worthy Martyr, whose both life and most commendable martyrdome, Eusebius oftentimes declareth in his 8. booke and 13. chapter, in so much that he hath written the same in a booke by it selfe. In Syria all the chiefe teachers of the congregation were first committed to prison, as a most heauye & cruell spectacle to behold, as also the bishops, Elders, and Deacons, which all were esteemed as menquellers, and perpetratours of most wicked facts. Eusebius. Lib. 8. cap. 6,MarginaliaMartyrs of Syria. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 6. After that we read of an other, whose name was Tirannion which was made meate for the fishes of the sea, and of Zenobius which was a verye good Phisition,MarginaliaTirannion Martyr. Zenobius a Phisition Martyr. which also was slaine with brickebates in the same place. Eusebius. lib. 8. cap. 13.
[Back to Top]Furthermore he maketh mention in the same place of others which were not tormented to death, but euery day terrified and feared without ceasing: Of some others that were brought to the sacrifices and commaunded to doe sacrifice, which woulde rather thrust their right hande into the fire, then to touch the prophane or wicked sacrifice; also of some others that before they were apprehended, would cast downe themselues from steepe places, lest that that beyng taken they should commit any thing against their professiō. Also of two virgines very faire and proper, with theirmother also which had studiously brought them vp,MarginaliaTwo Virgines with their mother martyrs. Two other maydens sisters martyrs. euen from their infancy in all godlines, beyng long sought for and at the last founde, and straightly kept by their kepers, whilest they made their excuse to do that which nature required, threw thēselues downe headlong into a riuer, also of other two yong maidēs being sisters, & of a worshipfull stock, indued with many goodly vertues, which were cast of the persecutors into the sea: and these things were done at Antioche as Eusebius in his 8. booke, and 13. chap. affirmeth. MarginaliaSyluanus Byshop of Emissa martyr. But Syluanus the Bishop of Emissa þt notable martyr together with certaine others were throwen to the wilde beastes. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 13.MarginaliaMartyrs of Mesopotamia. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 12. Martyrs of Capodocia.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaMartyrs of Tarsus. Tharatus, Probus, Andronicus martyrs. Diuers and sondry torments were the christians in Mesopotamia molested with, where they were hāged vp by the feete, & their heads downewards, & with the smok of a small fire strangled. And also in Capadocia, where the Martirs had their legs broken. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 12.
[Back to Top]Henricus de Erfordia maketh mention of the Martyrs of Tharsus in Cilicia as Tharatus, Probus, and Andronicus:MarginaliaMartyrs of Pontus. But yet the Martirs in the region of Pontus suffered far more passing and sharper tormentes, wherof I wil hereafter make mention.MarginaliaMartyrs of Nichomedia. Persecution in Nichomedia exceding. Eusebius ibidem. So outragious was the beginning of the persecution whiche the Emperour made in Nicomedia in Bithinia. as afore is saide, that he refrained not from the slaughter of the children of Emperours, neither yet from slaughter of the most chiefest princes of his court, who a litle before he made as much of, as if they had ben his owne childrē: Such an other was Peter,MarginaliaPeter a most valiant and constāt martyr. which among diuers and sundry tormentes: (among whō he being naked was lifted vp, his whole body being beaten with whips and torne, that a man might see þe bare bones, and after they had mingled vineger & salt togither, they poured it vpon the most tender parts of his body, & lastly rosted at a soft fire, as a man would rost flesh to eate as a victorious Martir ended his life. MarginaliaDorotheus, Gorgonius, Martyrs. Dorotheus and Gorgonius being in great authoritie and office vnder the Emperour, after diuers torments were strangled with a halter, which both being of the priuie chamber, to him, when they saw & beheld the greuous punishment of Peter their houshold cōpanion: wherfore (said they O Emperour) do you punish in Peter that opinion which is in all vs? Why is that accounted in him an offence, that all we confes? We are of that faith religion & iudgement þt he is of. Therfore he commaunded them to be brought forth, & almost with like paynes to be tormented as Peter was, & afterwardes hanged. Euseeb. Rufini Lib 8. cap. 6. MarginaliaAnthimus Byshop of Nicomedia with a great multitude of martyrs headed. After whom Anthimus the Byshop of Nicomedia after he had made a notable confession, & bringing with him a great company of Martyrs, was beheaded. These men being thus dispatched þe Emperour vainly thought þt he might cause þe rest to do what euer him listed. MarginaliaLucianus the elder of Antioche martyr. To this ende came Lucianus the Elder of the congregation of Antioche, and was martired after hee had made his Apologie before the Emperour. Eusebius. Lib. 8. Cap. 13.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaSerena wife of Dioclesian Emperour Martyr. Hermanus also that monster, caused Serena the wife of Dioclesian the Emperour, to be martyred for the Christian Religion: so much did the rage of persecutiō vtterly forget all naturall affectes. Other Martyrs of Nichomedia doth Nicephorus in hys vii. booke and xiiii. chapter recite,MarginaliaNiceph. lib. 7. cap. 14. Eulampius, Eulampia, Agape, Irene, Chionia, Anastacia. Martyrs. as Eulampius and Eulampia, Agapen, Irenea, Chionia, and Anastacia, vnder Illyricus, chiefe officer, were bound hand & foote to a post and brent. Vincentius. Lib. 12 cap. 66. And also Euseb. Lib. 8. cap. 6. mentioneth such an other like matter full of horror and grief. There assembltd together in their temple many Christian men to celebrate the memory of the Natiuitie of Christ, of euery age and sorte some: There Maximianus thinking to haue bene geuen a very fit occasion to execute hys tyranny vpō the poore Christians, sent thether such as should burne the temple, the doores being shut and closed rounde about. Thether came they with fire; but first they commaunded the cryer with a loud voyce to cry, þt who soeuer would haue life, should come out of the temple, & do sacrifice vpō the next altar they came vnto of Iupiter; and vnles they would do this, they shoulde all be brent with the temple. Then one stepping vp in the temple, answered in the name of all þe rest with great courage & boldnes of minde, that they were all Christians, & beleued that Christ was their onely God & king; and that they woulde doe sacrifice to him, with his father and holy Ghost, & that they were now all readye to offer vnto him. MarginaliaTwenty thousand Martyrs burnt together in one Church. Wyth these words the fire was kindled and compassed about the temple, and there were brent of men, women, and children certeine thousands. There were also in Arabia, very manye martyrs slayne with axes, as Eusebius. Lib. 8. cap. 12.MarginaliaMartyrs of Arabia. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 12. There was in Phrigia a citie, vnto which the Emperour sent his Edictes that they should doe sacrifice to the gods, and worship Idoles; all which Citizens the Maior him-
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