1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 122 
Close(525 - 456 BCE)
Greek playwright
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 138; 1576, p. 100; 1583, p. 99.
CloseCaptain of Egyptian soldiers; martyr under Julian the Apostate
Although other charges were brought against Artemius, he was beheaded because he was a Christian. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseC5 bishop of Susa, Persia; martyr under Yazdegerd I
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 137, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
Close(d. c. 250) [Gams]
Patriarch of Antioch (237 - 50); died in prison during the Decian persecution
Foxe relates an account of a Babylas who was martyred, but questions whether this was the same person as the bishop of Antioch. 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 61.
CloseC5 Persian deacon martyr under Yazdegerd I
Benjamin was imprisoned for two years and released at the request of the Roman legate. He continued to preach, was rearrested and tortured to death. 1570, pp. 137-38, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseHermit martyr under Julian the Apostate
Domitius was killed in his cave. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseMartyr in Thrace under Julian the Apostate
Emilianus was burnt. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseChristian brothers martyred by the people of Gaza in the reign of Julian the Apostate
Eusebius and Nestabus were dragged through the streets and killed. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseC5 Persian Christian nobleman; exiled
Hormisda was commanded to keep the king's elephants and to remain unclothed. The king gave him a shirt, but then asked him to deny Christ. When he refused, he was banished from the realm. 1570, p. 137, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
Close(331 - 363) [W. E. Roberts and M. Di Maio www.roman-emperors.org]
Soldier; Roman emperor (360 - 63)
Neo-Platonist opponent of Christianity; died in battle against the Persians
Julian was responsible for the persecution of Christians. 1570, pp. 39, 137-38; 1576, pp. 32, 100-101; 1583, pp. 31, 99-101.
CloseC4 bishop of the Arethusians
Marcus Arethusius pulled down a temple and replaced it with a church. He was strung up in a basket and was covered in honey so that wasps and flies would sting him. He was eventually released. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, pp. 99-100.
CloseChristian martyred by the people of Gaza in the reign of Julian the Apostate
Nestor was dragged through the streets and killed. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
Close(218 - 268) [R. D. Weigel www.roman-emperors.org]
Co-emperor with his father Valerian (253 - 60); sole Roman emperor (260 - 68) ; assassinated with his son and his brother
Excluded senators from military command; patron of philosophers
Gallienus participated in the persecutions of his father, but moderated his position after his father's capture by the Persians. 1570, pp. 105-06; 1576, pp. 75-76; 1583, pp. 74-75.
In a letter to the Persian king Shapur II, Constantine I used the examples of Gallienus and his father to illustrate that rulers prospered when they treated Christians well, but suffered ill fortune when they persecuted them. 1570, p. 137; 1576, p. 100; 1583, p. 99.
Close(497 - 406 BCE); Greek tragedian
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseC5 Persian Christian
Yazdegerd I put the worst servant of Suenes in charge of the rest and gave him Suenes' wife, but Suenes would not give up his faith. 1570, p. 137, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
Close(c. 393 - c. 457) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Theologian, author; bishop of Cyrus, Syria (423 - 57)
Involved in the Nestorian controversy in opposition to Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 20, 86, 137, 1299; 1576, pp. 16, 60, 100, 1112; 1583, pp. 16, 59, 99, 1137.
CloseChristian tortured under Julian the Apostate
Theodorus, for singing a psalm at the removing of the body of Babylas, was severely tortured. 1570, p. 138, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
Close401-450 [Geoffrey S. Nathan www.roman-emperors.org]
Roman emperor in the East (408 - 450)
Ward of the Persian king Yazdegerd I, who helped to ensure he succeeded his father; dominated by older sister Pulcheria
Pope Leo wished Theodosius to call a church council in Italy. 1563, p. 619, 1570, p. 1216, 1576, p. 1041, 1583, p. 1068.
Close(d. 260) [R. D. Weigel www.roman-emperors.org]
Commander under Decius; senator
Roman emperor (253 - 60); captured and killed by the Persians
In the early years of his reign, Valerian behaved favourably towards the Christians and the senate. 1570, p. 97; 1576, p. 68; 1583, p. 67.
Later, Valerian instigated a harsh persecution of the Christians. 1570, pp. 97-104; 1576, pp. 68-74; 1583, pp. 67-74.
Valerian was captured in battle by Shapur I and endured humiliations during his captivity before he was killed. 1570, p. 104; 1576, p. 74; 1583, p. 74.
In a letter to the Persian king Shapur II, Constantine I used the examples of Valerian and his son to illustrate that rulers prospered when they treated Christians well, but suffered ill fortune when they persecuted them. 1570, p. 137; 1576, p. 100; 1583, p. 99.
Close(d. 421)
King of Persia (399 - 421)
Guardian of the young Roman emperor Theodosius II.
Yazdegerd I was a persecutor of Christians. 1570, p. 137, 1576, p. 100, 1583, p. 99.
CloseLebanon
Coordinates: 34° 0' 25" N, 36° 12' 14" E
to the number of 250. persons, which were the same time apprehended of the Persians. &c. Briefly to cōprehend the whole multitude of them that suffered in that persecution, the maner of their apprehension, the cruelnes of their tormēts, how and where they suffered, & in what places it is not possible for any history to discharg. Neither are þe Persians them selues (as Zozomenus recordeth) able to recyte them. In summe, the multitude and number of thē whom they are able to recite by name, commeth to the summe of xvj. thousand men and women.MarginaliaThe number of the martirs that suffered in Persia, were 16. thousand.
[Back to Top]The rumor and noyse of this so miserable affliction of the Christians in the kingdome of Persia, comming to the eares of Constantinus the Emperour, put him in great heauines, studing and reuoluing with himselfe, howe to helpe the matter, which in deede was very hard for him to do. MarginaliaConstantinus the Emperour writeth to the king of Persia in the behalfe of the afflicted Christians.It so befell the same time, that certaine Embassadours were then at Rome from Sapores king of Persia, to whom Constantinus did easely graunt, and consent, satisfying all their requestes, and demaundes, thinking thereby to obtaine the more friendship at the kings handes, that at hys request, he would be good to the Christians to whome he writeth his Epistle in their behalfe, and sendeth the same by his messengers beginning thus:
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe copy and effect of the Epistle of Constantine Sapores.Diuinam fidem seruans veritatis lucem sortior. Veritatis luce ductus diuinam fidem cognosco. Per ea igitur, quibus illa res agēdas confirmat, sanctissimam religionem cognitam reddo, & hunc me cultum doctorem cognitionis sancti dei habere confiteor. &c.
CloseDiuinam fidem seruans veritatis lucem sortior. Veritatis luce ductus diuinam fidem cognosco. Per ea igitur quibus illa res agēdas, confirmat sanctissimam religionem cognitam reddo, & hunc me cultum doctorem cognitionis sancti dei habere confiteor. &c.
Not translated.
MarginaliaThe generall care of godly Constantinus for all christians in all places.This Epistle wrot Constantinus to king Sapores. Such care had this godly Prince for them that beleued in Christ not onely in his owne Monarchie, but also in all places of the world: neither is it to be doubted but this intercessiō of the Emperour did something mittigate the heate of the Persians persecution. Although thereof we reade no certaine thing in our historyes.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaOther forrayne persecutions in Persia.Of other troubles and persecutious we read of, which happened afterward in the said country of Persia, vnder Isdigerdes the king, but these followed long after about the time of the Emperour Theodosius. At which time suffered Andas their bishop,MarginaliaAndas Byshop martir. and Hormisda a great noble mans sōne,and of great reputation among the Persians:MarginaliaThe story of Hormisda Martyr. Ex Theodor. Lib. 5. cap. 39. whom whē the king vnderstod to be a Christian, and to deny to turne from his religion, condemned him to kepe his Elephants naked. In processe of time the king looking out, and seeing him all swarted and tanned in the sunne, commanded him to haue a shirt put on, & to be brought before him. Whome then the king asked, if he woulde denye Christ. MarginaliaThe faythfull constancie of Hormisda. Hormisda banished the country of Persia,Hormisda hearing this, tare of his shirt from his body, and cast it from him saying: If yee thinke that I will denye my faith to Christ for a shirt, haue heere your gift againee &c. And so was vpon that expelled the country. Theodor. lib. 5.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaSuenes Martir.An other there was that same time, named Suenes, which had vnder him an hundreth seruaunts. The king takyng displeasure with him, for that he would not alter from hys religion and godly truth, asked who was the worst of all his seruaunts. And him the king made ruler of all þe rest, and coupling him with his maisters wife, brought also Suenes vnder his subiection,MarginaliaThe constancy of Suenes. thinking therby to subdue also the faith of Suenes, but it was builded vpon a sure foundation.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe story of Beniamin Deacon and Martyr.Of Beniamin the Deacon thus writeth the saide Theodoret, in his fift booke, that after two yeares of his imprisonment, at the request of the Romaine Legate hee was deliuered, who afterward contrary to the kings commaundement hee preached and taught the Gospell of Christ, was most miserable excarnificate, hauing xx. sharpe prickes of reeds thrust vnder his nayles, but when he did laugh at þt, then in his priuye yarde had a sharpe reede thrust in with horrible paine.MarginaliaBeniamin tormented. The martirdome of Beniamin. After that a certaine long stalk ragged and thorny being thrust into his body by the nether part, was forced into him with the horriblenes of the paine, whereof the valiant and inuincible souldiour of the Lord gaue ouer his life. Theodor. ibid. And thus much concerning the martirs and persecutions among the Persians, although these persecutions belong not of this time, which came (as it is sayd) long after the daies of Constantinus, about the yeare of our Lorde. 425.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe martirs vnder Iulianus Apostata. Aemilianus Domitius Martyrs.Likewise vnder Iulianus the wicked Apostata, certaine there were which constanly suffered Martyrdome by the Heathen Idolaters, as Emilyanus, who was burned in Thracia, and Domitius, which was slayne in hys caue. Theodorus also for singing of a Psalme at the remoouing of the body of Babylas (wherof mention is made of before pag 60.) being apprehended, was so examined with exquisite torments, and so cruelly excruciate from morning almost to noone, that hardly he scaped with life.MarginaliaThe story of Theodorus Martyr. Ruff. Lib. 5. cap. 36. Theodor. lib. 3. cap. 11. Zozom. lib. 5. Cap. 10. Who being asked afterward of his friendes, howe he coulde abide so sharpe torments, said that at the first beginning he felt some paine but afterward there stode by him a yong man, who as he was sweating, wiped of his sweate, and refreshed him wt cold water, oft times: wherewith he was so delited, that when he was let downe from the engine, it greeued hym, more then before. Ruff. lib. 5. cap. 36. Theodor. lib. 3. cap 11. Zozom. lib. 5. cap. 10.MarginaliaA miracle to be noted.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaArtemius. Martyr.Artemius also the captaine of the Egiptian soldiours the same time lost his head for his religiō indede: although other causes were pretended against him. Theo. Niceph lib. 10. cap. 11.MarginaliaEusebius, Nestabus, brethren. Nestor. Martirs. Eupsychius, with other men of Cesarea martyr.Adde to these moreouer, Eusebius and Nestabus twoo brethren, with Nestor also, which for their christianitie were dragged through the streetes, and murdered of the idolatrous people of Gaza. Sozo. Lib. eod. cap. 11.
[Back to Top]But especially the crueltie of the Arethusians, a people of Syria, exceeded against the Christian virgines,MarginaliaMiserable crueltie agaynst the Christian virgins of Arethusia. whome they set out naked before the multitude to be scorned, after that being shauen, they couered them with swil and draffe woont to be giuen to their hogs, & so caused theyr bowels and flesh to be deuoured of the hungry swine. This rage & furye of the wicked Arethusians, Zozomenus supposeth to come of this,MarginaliaThe people made to be pluckt form their olde customes, though ti be neuer so wicked. because that Contantinns before had broken them from their country maner, of setting forth and exposing their virgins, filthely to whom soeuer lusted, and destroyed the temple of Venus in Heliopolis, restrayning the people there from their filthines and vile whoredome. Sozom. Lib. 5 cap. 10.
[Back to Top]Of the lamentable story or rather Tragedy of Marcus Arethusius, their Byshop, thus writeth the said Sozomenus, and also Theodoretus in his third booke, in these words as followe.
MarginaliaThe story of Marcus Arethusius.This Tragedye (saith hee) of Marcus Arethusius, doth require the eloquence and worthines of Æschilus, and Sophocles, which may, as the matter deserueth, set forth, and beautify his great afflictions. This man at the commaundement of Constantinus, pulled downe a certayn temple dedicated to Idols, and in the stead thereof built vp a church where the Christians might congregate. The Arthusians remembring the little good wil that Iulianus bare vnto him
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