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The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas
Tertullian
Chapter 6 About this work Chapter VI.—Argument. From the Prison They are Led Forth with Joy into the Amphitheatre, Especially Perpetua and Felicitas. All Refuse to Put on Profane Garments. They are Scourged, They are Thrown to the Wild Beasts. Saturus Twice is Unhurt. Perpetua and Felicitas are Thrown Down; They are Called Back to the Sanavivarian Gate. Saturus Wounded by a Leopard, Exhorts the Soldier. They Kiss One Another, and are Slain with the Sword. Section 1 1 . The day of their victory
‹ Chapter 5
shone
forth
,
and
they
proceeded
from
the
prison
into
the
amphitheatre
,
as
if
to
an
assembly
,
joyous
and
of
brilliant
countenances
;
if
perchance
shrinking
,
it
was
with
joy
,
and
not
with
fear
.
Perpetua
followed
with
placid
look
,
and
with
step
and
gait
as
a
matron
of
Christ
,
beloved
of
God
;
casting
down
the
luster
of
her
eyes
from
the
gaze
of
all
.
Moreover
,
Felicitas
,
rejoicing
that
she
had
safely
brought
forth
,
so
that
she
might
fight
with
the
wild
beasts
;
from
the
blood
and
from
the
midwife
to
the
gladiator
,
to
wash
after
childbirth
with
a
second
baptism
.
And
when
they
were
brought
to
the
gate
,
and
were
constrained
to
put
on
the
clothing
—
the
men
,
that
of
the
priests
of
Saturn
,
and
the
women
,
that
of
those
who
were
consecrated
to
Ceres
—
that
noble
-
minded
woman
resisted
even
to
the
end
with
constancy
.
For
she
said
,
“
We
have
come
thus
far
of
our
own
accord
,
for
this
reason
,
that
our
liberty
might
not
be
restrained
.
For
this
reason
we
have
yielded
our
minds
,
that
we
might
not
do
any
such
thing
as
this
:
we
have
agreed
on
this
with
you
.
”
Injustice
acknowledged
the
justice
;
the
tribune
yielded
to
their
being
brought
as
simply
as
they
were
.
Perpetua
sang
psalms
,
already
treading
under
foot
the
head
of
the
Egyptian
;
Revocatus
,
and
Saturninus
,
and
Saturus
uttered
threatenings
against
the
gazing
people
about
this
martyrdom
.
When
they
came
within
sight
of
Hilarianus
,
by
gesture
and
nod
,
they
began
to
say
to
Hilarianus
,
“
Thou
judgest
us
,
”
say
they
,
“
but
God
will
judge
thee
.
”
At
this
the
people
,
exasperated
,
demanded
that
they
should
be
tormented
with
scourges
as
they
passed
along
the
rank
of
the
venatores
.
And
they
indeed
rejoiced
that
they
should
have
incurred
any
one
of
their
Lord’s
passions
.
Section 2 2 . But He who had said , “ Ask , and ye shall receive , ” gave to them when they asked , that death which each one had wished for . For when at any time they had been discoursing among themselves about their wish in respect of their martyrdom , Saturninus indeed had professed that he wished that he might be thrown to all the beasts ; doubtless that he might wear a more glorious crown . Therefore in the beginning of the exhibition he and Revocatus made trial of the leopard , and moreover upon the scaffold they were harassed by the bear . Saturus , however , held nothing in greater abomination than a bear ; but he imagined that he would be put an end to with one bite of a leopard . Therefore , when a wild boar was supplied , it was the huntsman rather who had supplied that boar who was gored by that same beast , and died the day after the shows . Saturus only was drawn out ; and when he had been bound on the floor near to a bear , the bear would not come forth from his den . And so Saturus for the second time is recalled unhurt .
Section 3 3 . Moreover , for the young women the devil prepared a very fierce cow , provided especially for that purpose contrary to custom , rivalling their sex also in that of the beasts . And so , stripped and clothed with nets , they were led forth . The populace shuddered as they saw one young woman of delicate frame , and another with breasts still dropping from her recent childbirth . So , being recalled , they are unbound . Perpetua is first led in . She was tossed , and fell on her loins ; and when she saw her tunic torn from her side , she drew it over her as a veil for her middle , rather mindful of her modesty than her suffering . Then she was called for again , and bound up her dishevelled hair ; for it was not becoming for a martyr to suffer with dishevelled hair , lest she should appear to be mourning in her glory . So she rose up ; and when she saw Felicitas crushed , she approached and gave her her hand , and lifted her up . And both of them stood together ; and the brutality of the populace being appeased , they were recalled to the Sanavivarian gate . Then Perpetua was received by a certain one who was still a catechumen , Rusticus by name , who kept close to her ; and she , as if aroused from sleep , so deeply had she been in the Spirit and in an ecstasy , began to look round her , and to say to the amazement of all , “ I cannot tell when we are to be led out to that cow . ” And when she had heard what had already happened , she did not believe it until she had perceived certain signs of injury in her body and in her dress , and had recognised the catechumen . Afterwards causing that catechumen and the brother to approach , she addressed them , saying , “ Stand fast in the faith , and love one another , all of you , and be not offended at my sufferings . ”
Section 4 4 . The same Saturus at the other entrance exhorted the soldier Pudens , saying , “ Assuredly here I am , as I have promised and foretold , for up to this moment I have felt no beast . And now believe with your whole heart . Lo , I am going forth to that beast , and I shall be destroyed with one bite of the leopard . ” And immediately at the conclusion of the exhibition he was thrown to the leopard ; and with one bite of his he was bathed with such a quantity of blood , that the people shouted out to him as he was returning , the testimony of his second baptism , “ Saved and washed , saved and washed . ” Manifestly he was assuredly saved who had been glorified in such a spectacle . Then to the soldier Pudens he said , “ Farewell , and be mindful of my faith ; and let not these things disturb , but confirm you . ” And at the same time he asked for a little ring from his finger , and returned it to him bathed in his wound , leaving to him an inherited token and the memory of his blood . And then lifeless he is cast down with the rest , to be slaughtered in the usual place . And when the populace called for them into the midst , that as the sword penetrated into their body they might make their eyes partners in the murder , they rose up of their own accord , and transferred themselves whither the people wished ; but they first kissed one another , that they might consummate their martyrdom with the kiss of peace . The rest indeed , immoveable and in silence , received the sword - thrust ; much more Saturus , who also had first ascended the ladder , and first gave up his spirit , for he also was waiting for Perpetua . But Perpetua , that she might taste some pain , being pierced between the ribs , cried out loudly , and she herself placed the wavering right hand of the youthful gladiator to her throat . Possibly such a woman could not have been slain unless she herself had willed it , because she was feared by the impure spirit .
O most brave and blessed martyrs ! O truly called and chosen unto the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ ! whom whoever magnifies , and honours , and adores , assuredly ought to read these examples for the edification of the Church , not less than the ancient ones , so that new virtues also may testify that one and the same Holy Spirit is always operating even until now , and God the Father Omnipotent , and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord , whose is the glory and infinite power for ever and ever . Amen .
Notes 1 A row of men drawn up to scourge them as they passed along, a punishment probably similar to what is called “running the gauntlet.”
2 John xvi. 24.
3 Ita revocatæ discinguntur. Dean Milmam prefers reading this, “Thus recalled, they are clad in loose robes.”
4 [Routh, Reliq. Vol. I. p. 360.]
5 A cry in mockery of what was known as the effect of Christian baptism.
6 [Routh, Reliquiæ, Vol. I. p. 358.]
