1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 83 
Close(d. 251) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Imprisoned under Severus; coajutor with the bishop of Jerusalem, ordained Origen. Died in prison in Caesarea
Alexander suffered greatly under Severus, but survived the persecuton. He was later made bishop of Jerusalem with Narcissus. He built a library there. He died in prison under Decius. 1570, pp. 80, 88; 1576, pp. 55, 61; 1583, pp. 54-55, 60.
Close(d. 236) [Kelly]
Pope (November 235 - January 236)
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 59; 1583, p. 59.
Close(c. 298 - 373) [Catholic Encyclopeda; Gams]
Patriarch of Alexandria (326 - 73); doctor of the church; opponent of Arianism
Athanasius praised Origen and used his testimonies against the Arians. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60.
Athanasius wrote that he knew monks and bishops who were married. 1570, p. 1350; 1576, p. 1152; 1583, p. 1181.
Close(1421 - 1481) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Humanist author; prefect of the Vatican library. In 1468 he was imprisoned on suspicion of heresy and conspiring against the pope's life. He wrote Lives of the Popes under Sixtus IV.
Sabellico and Platina recorded that Constantine IV decreed that bishops of Rome were to be chosen by the clergy and people, not by the emperor. 1570, p. 5, 1576, p. 4, 1583, p. 4.
He is mentioned by Foxe as a source: 1563, p. 11, 1570, p. 75, 77, 95, 104, 119; 1576, p. 38, 51, 52, 67, 80, 85; 1583, pp. 38, 51, 52, 57, 67, 80, 85.
Close(188-217) [ODNB; M. L. Meckler www.roman-emperors.org]
Elder son of Septimius Severus; co-ruler with his father in 198
Roman emperor (211 - 217), jointly with his brother in 211; reconstructed Hadrian's Wall
He arranged the murder of his brother Geta; he was himself murdered
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 39, 83, 147; 1576, pp. 31, 57, 109; 1583, pp. 31, 57, 108.
Close(c. 305 - 384) [Kelly]
Pope (366 - 84) His election was followed by a disputed succession and violent riots; he was opposed by antipope Ursinus. Promoted Roman primacy. Wrote briefly on the martyrs and saints.
Damasus said that Pope Anterus caused the accounts of the martyrs to be written and as a result was himself martyred. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 59; 1583, p. 59.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 4, 23, 77, 93, 133; 1576, pp. 3, 18, 52, 65, 97; 1583, pp. 3, 18, 52, 57, 65, 96.
Close(d. 231) [Gams; Catholic Encyclopedia]
Patriarch of Alexandria (188 - 231)
Demetrius sent Pantenus to preach to the Indians. 1570, p. 79; 1576, p. 54; 1583, p. 53.
He was succeeded by Heraclas. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Close(d. 265) [Gams]
Patriarch of Alexandria (247 - 265); church father
Dionysius succeeded Heraclas as head of the school in Alexandria and then as bishop. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Dionysius sent a letter to Fabius of Antioch describing the uprisings against the Christians in Alexandria. 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 62; 1583, p. 61.
In his letter, Dionysius recounted how a number of the faithful lapsed under torture or through terror. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Dionysius gave an account of his and his followers' rescue from the persecutors. 1570, p. 90; 1576, p. 63; 1583, pp. 62-63.
In a letter to Hierax, a bishop in Egypt, Dionysius described the effects of a plague that had afflicted Alexandria after the death of Decius. 1570, p. 94; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
Dionysius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was banished by Aemilianus, prefect of Egypt. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
Dionysius outlived Valerian and died an old man. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 73.
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. 250) [Kelly]
Pope (236 - 50) Arrested; died at the beginning of Decius's persecution
Fabian and Origen converted Emperor Philip the Arab and his family to Christianity. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 59
Origen wrote De orthodoxia su? fidei to Fabian. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
Decius had Fabian killed either because Philip the Arab had committed his treasures to Fabian, or because he hated Philip the Arab. 1570, pp. 86-87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
Close(225 - 244) [M. L. Meckler www.roman-emperors.org]
Grandson of Gordian I
Roman emperor (238 - 44); died on campaign against the Sassanids
Gordian was concerned for the welfare of the empire and ceased the persecution of the Christians. Foxe says he was killed by his successor, Philip the Arab. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 59; 1583, p. 59.
Close(d. c. 246) [Gams]
Associate of Origen; bishop of Alexandria (c. 231 - c. 248)
Because Heraclas was wise and learned, Origen appointed him his usher to help in his school in Alexandria. When Origen was banished, Heraclas took over the running of the school. He later succeeded Demetrius as bishop of the city. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60-61; 1583, p. 60.
Close(c. 340/2 - 420) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Scholar; translator of the bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin; studied at Rome and Trier. Lived as an ascetic (374 -79); lived in Constantinople (380 - 81), Rome (382 - 85) and Bethlehem (386)
Jerome was called 'papas' or 'father' by Boniface I and others. 1570, p. 11; 1576, p. 8; 1583, p. 8.
Close(145/6 - 211) [ODNB; M. L. Meckler www.roman-emperors.org]
Roman emperor (193 - 211); reformer and efficient administrator
Led imperial expedition into Britain to quell rebellions in 208; died at York
For the first ten years of his reign, Severus was favourable to the Christians, but then began to persecute them. 1570, p. 79; 1576, p. 54; 1583, p. 54.
Foxe says Severus built a great wall between England and Scotland and that he was killed under siege. 1570, p. 83; 1576, p. 57; 1583, p. 57.
Close(1436 - 1506) [Eric Cochrane, Historians and Historiography in the Italian Renaissance (Chicago, 1981) pp. 83-6]
Venetian scholar and historian; curator of San Marco library 1487 Wrote a history of Venice 1485; wrote a history of the world 1504: Rapsodie historiarum enneadum
Sabellico and Platina recorded that Constantine IV decreed that bishops of Rome were to be chosen by the clergy and people, not by the emperor. 1570, p. 5, 1576, p. 4, 1583, p. 4.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 62, 86, 105, 112, 133; 1576, p. 38, 60, 75, 80, 97; 1583, p. 38, 59, 74, 80, 96.
Close(1028 - 1082) [ODNB]
Chronicler; Irish Benedictine monk. Lived in Cologne 1056 - 58, in Fulda 1058 - 69, in Mainz 1069 - 82. Wrote a universal chronicle
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1563, p. ; 1570, pp. 62, 84, 86, 133; 1576, pp. 38, 58, 59, 96; 1583, pp. 38, 58, 59, 96.
Close(d. 828) [Gams]
Greek Orthodox theologian and historian; patriarch of Constantinople (806 - 15)
He is cited extensively by Foxe as a source in Book 1.
CloseConsul under Trajan Decius; persecutor of Christians
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Close(d. c. 254) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Christian scholar, theologian
Head of a school at Alexandria; banished by a church council held in 231; started a school at Caesarea; imprisoned under Decius
Origen was a pious and scholarly child. He would have suffered martyrdom with his father during the reign of Severus, but his mother hid his clothes. After the death of his father, Origen supported his mother and siblings by starting a school. He then went on to translate scripture from the Hebrew. 1570, p. 79; 1576, p. 54; 1583, p. 54.
[Back to Top]Origen was sought out by his fellow Christians, and many of his associates were martyred. 1570, pp. 79-80; 1576, p. 54; 1583, p. 54.
He was sent for by Julia Mamaea, mother of Emperor Alexander Severus, and he spent some time with them. 1570, p. 84; 1576, p. 58; 1583, p. 57.
Origen wrote his lost martyrology during the persecutions of Maximinus Thrax. 1570, p. 85; 1576, p. 59; 1583, p. 59.
He and Pope Fabian converted Emperor Philip the Arab and his family. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 59.
Origen wrote De orthodoxia su? fidei to Fabian. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
Under Decius, Origen suffered threats, torture and imprisonment. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
He was banished from Alexandria for sacrificing to the gods. He went to Jerusalem and spent the rest of his life in misery and poverty. He was buried in Tyre.1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
Jerome was at times critical of Origen's doctrine, but praised his learning. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
Close(c. 385 - c. 420) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Historian, theologian; disciple of Augustine at Hippo; assisted Jerome against Pelagius in Palestine. Wrote a history of the world.
Orosius attended the Council of Carthage in 420, along with Augustine and Prosper. 1570, p. 12; 1576, p. 10; 1583, p. 10.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1563, p. , 1570, pp. 19, 54 -, 86, 94, 107, 113; 1576, pp. 15, 34 - , 60, 66, 76, 81; 1583, pp. 15, 34 - , 60, 66, 75, 80, 452.
CloseRoman with whom Dionysius of Alexandria corresponded
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
CloseMartyrs, patron saints of Tuscania, Italy
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Close(d. 440) [Kelly]
Pope (432 - 40)
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1563, p. 9; 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60.
CloseAuthor of a massive C10 Byzantine Greek historical encyclopædia of the ancient Mediterranean world [Catholic Encyclopedia]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 59; 1583, p. 59.
Close(c. 206 - 253) [R. S. Moore www.roman-emperors.org]
Senator; consul; governor of Upper Moesia
Roman emperor (251 - 53) with his son Volusianus; murdered with his son by mutinous troops
A great plaque raged during the reign of Gallus, so although he issued edicts for the persecution of Christians, the only effect was the exile of bishops 1570, p. 95; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
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. 1264) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Dominican friar; French scholar; compiled encyclopedia of all knowledge
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 62, 68, 80, 88, 106; 1576, pp. 38, 45, 55, 61, 76; 1583, pp. 38, 45, 55, 60, 75.
CloseEgypt
Coordinates: 31° 11' 5" N, 29° 55' 9" E
Close[Cesaria]
Israel
Coordinates: 32° 30' 0" N, 34° 53' 59" E
Close[Hierusalem; Ierusalem; Ierosolyma]
Coordinates: 31° 47' 0" N, 35° 13' 0" E
was mooued a terrible persecution against the Christians, which Orosius noteth to be the vij. persecution.Marginalia The seuenth persecution. The cause and occasion of this persecution. Fabianus Byshop of Rome. The first occasion of this hatred and persecution of this tyrant conceaued agaynst the Christians, was chiefly, as is before touched, because of the treasures of the Emperour which were committed to Fabian the bishop.
[Back to Top]This Fabian first being a maryed man, as Platina writeth, was made Bishop of Rome after Anterius aboue mētioned by the miraculous appointment of God, which Eusebius doth thus describe in this sixt booke:Marginalia Euseb. Lib. 6. When the brethren (sayth he) were together in the Congregation, about the electiō of their Bishop, and had purposed among them selues vpon the nominatiō of some noble and worthy personage of Rome, it chaūced that Fabianus amōg other was there presēt, who of late before was newly come out of the countrey to inhabite in the Citie.Marginalia The miraculous election of Fabianus. This Fabian, as is sayd, thinking nothyng lesse then of any such matter sodenly cōmeth a Doue fleing from aboue, and sitteth vpon his head. Whereupon all þe Congregation beyng moued, wyth one minde and one uoyce, dyd chose hym for their Bishop. In the which function he remayned the space of xiij. yeares, as Eusebius writeth. Damasus, Marianus, and Sabellicus say. xiiij. Yeares vnto þe tyme of Decius. Who, whether for that Philippus had committed to him his treasures, or whether for the hatred he bare to Philippus, in the beginning of his raigne caused him to be put to death.Marginalia Fabianus Martyr. Sendyng out moreouer his Proclamation into al quarters that al which professed the name of Christ, should be slayne.
[Back to Top]Marginalia The ordinaunces of Fabianus pretensed. Oyle and creame. Accusing of Byshops. Appealing to the sea Apostolicall. Marrying not within the fift degree.To this Fabian be ascribed certaine ordinaunces, as of consecrating new oyle once euery yeare, and burnyng the olde, of accusations against Byshops, of appealing to the sea Apostolicke, of not marying within the fift degree, of communicating thrise a yeare, of offering euery Sonday, with such other things moe in his. iij. Epistles decretall; the which Epistles, as by diuers other euidences may be supposed to be vntruely named vpon hym, gyuing no signification of any matter agreing to that tyme: so do I finde the most part of the iij. Epistle, worde for word standing in the Epistle of Sixtus þe 3. which folowed almost 200. yeares after him, beside the vnseemely doctrine also in the ende of the sayd Epistles contayned, where he contrary to the tenour of the Gospell, applyeth remission of sinnes (onely due to the bloud of Christ) vnto the offerings of bread and wyne by men and women euery Sonday in the Church.Marginalia False doctrine detected.
[Back to Top]To this Fabianus wrote OrigineMarginalia Origene. De orthodoxia suæ fidei, that is, of the rightnes of his fayth. Whereby is to be vnderstode, that he continued to the tyme of Decius, some say also to the tyme of Gallus. Of this Origene partly mention is touched before, declaring how bolde and feruente he was in the dayes of Seuerus, in assisting, comforting, exhorting and kissing the Martyrs that were imprisoned & suffered for the name of Christ, with such daunger of his owne life, that had not bene the singular protectiō of God, he had bene stoned to death many tymes of the Heathen multitude. Such great concourse of men and women was daily to his house to be catechised & instructed in the christian fayth by him, that souldiours were hyred of purpose to defend the place where he taught them. Agayn, such search sometymes was set for him, that vnneth any shiftyng of place or countrey could couer him. In those laborious trauailes and affayres of the Church, in teaching, writing, confuting, exhorting, and expounding, he continued about the space of 52. yeares, vnto the tyme of Decius aud Gallus. Diuers and great persecutions he sustayned, but specially vnder Decius, as testifieth Eusebius in his sixt booke,Marginalia Ex Euseb. lib. 6. Cap. 39. The persecutions of Origene. declaring, that for the doctrine of Christ he sustained bands and torments in his body, rackings with barres of iron, dungeons, besides terrible threates of death and burning. All this he suffred in the persecution of Decius, as Eusebius recordethof him, and maketh no relatiō of any further matter. But Suidas and Nicephorus following the same, sayth further concerning him,Marginalia Ex Suida & Nicepho. Lib. 5. Cap. 32. that the sayd Origene, after diuers and sundry other torments, which he manfully and constantly suffred for Christ, at length was brought to an altar where a foule filthy Ethiope was appointed to be, and there this option or choyse was offred vnto him, whether he would sacrifice to the idole, or to haue his body polluted with that foule and ouglie Ethiope. Then Origene (sayth he) who with a Philosophicall mynd, euer kept his chastitie vndefiled, much abhorring þt filthy villany to be done to his body, condescended to their request.Marginalia The fall of Origene. Wherupon, the iudge puttyng incense in his hand, caused him to set it to the fire vpō the altar. For the which impietie, he afterward was excommunicated of the Church.Marginalia Origene excommunicated. Epiphanius writeth that he beyng vrged to sacrifice to Idols, and takyng the boughes in his hand, wherwith the Heathen were woont to honour their Gods, called vpon the Christians to carythem in the honour of Christ. The which fact the church of Alexandria misliking, remooued him from their communion. Wherupon Origene driuen away with shame and sorow out of Alexandria, went into Iewry, where beyng in Hierusalem among the congregation, and there requested of the Priestes and Ministers (he being also a Priest) to make some exhortation in the church, refused a great while so to do. At length by importunate petition being cōstrained therunto, rose vp, and turning the booke, as though he would haue expounded some place of the Scripture, only read the verse of the 49. Psalme: but God sayd to the sinner, why doest thou preach my iustifications, & why doest thou take my testament in thy mouth, &c. Which verse beyng read, he shut the booke, and sate downe weepyng and wayling the whole congregation also weeping & lamenting with him, Suid. Niceph.Marginalia The repentaunce of Origene. More what became of Origene it is not found in history, but onely that Suidas addeth, he dyed and was buried at Tyrus. Eusebius affirmeth, that he departed vnder the Emperour Gallus, about the yeare of our Lord 255. and the 70. yeare of his age, in great miserie (as appeareth) and pouertie.
[Back to Top]In this Origene diuers blemishes of doctrine be noted wherupon Hierome some tymes doth inueigh against him.Marginalia Blemishes noted in Origene. Albeit in some places agayne he doth extoll and commend him for his excellent learning, as in his Apologie agaynst Ruff. and in his Epistle to Pammachus and Ocean, where he prayseth Origene, although not for the perfection of his faith and doctrine, nor for an apostle, yet for an excellent interpreter, for his wit, and for a Philosopher.Marginalia Origene commended for his learning. And yet in his Prologue vpō the Homelies of Origene vpon Ezechiel, he calleth him an other maister of the churches, after the Apostles. And in an other Preface vpon his questions vpon Genesis, he wisheth to himself the knowledge of the scriptures, which Origene had, also with the enuy of his name. Athanasius moreouer calleth him singular, and laborious, and vseth also his testimonies against the Arrians. Socrates, Lib. 6. cap. 13.Marginalia Ex. Socrat. Lib. 6. cap. 13.
[Back to Top]After Origene, the congrue order of history requireth next to speak of HeraclasMarginalia Heraclas Byshop of Alexandria. his Vsher, a man singularly commēded for his knowledge, not only in Philosophy, but also in all such faculties as for a christiā diuine doth appertain. This great towardnes of wit and learning when Origene perceiued in him, he appointed him aboue all other, to bee his Vsher or vnderteacher, to helpe in his schoole or Vniuersitie of Alexandria, in the raigne of Antoninus Caracalla, sonne of Seuerus. And after in the x. yeare of Alexander, Origene departing vnto Cesarea, he succeeded in his roome to gouerne the schoole in Alexandria. Further also, in the time of Gordianus, after the decease of Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, this Heraclas succeeded to be Bishop of the said Citie. Eusebius. Lib. 6. cap. 29.Marginalia Euseb. Lib. 6. cap. 29. In the which functiō he ministred the terme of xvj. yeares, Eusebius, Lib. 6. cap. 35. Of this Heraclas writeth also Origene himselfe, that he, although beyng Priest, yet ceased not to read ouer and peruse þe bookes of the Gentils, to the intent he might the better out of their owne bookes confute their errour. &c.
[Back to Top]After Heraclas succeeded Dionysius Alexandrinus, in the bishoprike of Alexandria, like as he succeded him in þe schole before. Which Dionysius also writeth of the same Heraclas vnto Philemon a Priest of Rome, thus saying: Hunc ego canonem & typum a beato Heracla Papa nostro accepi, &c. that is, This Canon and type I receaued of blessed Heraclas our Pope, &c.Marginalia Heraclas called Pope yet no Byshop of Rome. This Heraclas was no Martyr which dyed 3. yeares before Decius, about the yeare of our Lord, 250.Marginalia An. 250. After whom succeeded next in the same seat of Alexandria, Dionysius Alexandrinus, who also suffered much vnder the tiranny of Decius, as hereafter shalbe shewed (Christ willing) when we come to the tyme of Valerian.
[Back to Top]Nicephorus in his fift booke,Marginalia Ex Nicepho. Lib 5. cap. 29. and other which write of this persecutiō vnder Decius, declare the horriblenes therof to be so great and so innumerable Martyrs to suffer in the same, that he sayth it is as easie to number the sandes of the sea, as to recite the perticular names of them, whō this persecution did deuour. In the which persecutiō the chiefest doers and tormenters vnder the Emperour, appeare in the history of Vincentius to be these: Optimus the vnder Consull, Secundianus, Verianus, and Marcellianus, &c.Marginalia Persecutors. Although therfore it be hard here to inferre all and singular persons in order that dyed in this persecution: yet such as remayne most notable in stories I will briefly touche, by the grace of him for whose cause they suffred.
[Back to Top]In the former tractation of the fift persecution, mentiō was made before of Alexander bishop of Hierusalem,Marginalia Alexander, Byshop of Ierusalem, Martyr. and of his troubles suffred vnder Seuerus, and how afterward by the miracle of God he was appointed bishop of Hierusalem, where he continued a very aged man, aboue the terme of 40, yeares gouernour of that Church, til the time
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