For centuries, theologists, historians, archaeologists, petrologists, and others had been interested in a story about Christian martyrs known as Passio Sanctorum Quattuor Coronatorum. It is a hagiographic manuscript from the 4th century which describes the martyrdom and death of two separate groups of Christians who suffered Diocletian's persecution. One group lived in Pannonia and the other in...

Abstract Pope Francis’s recent recognition of the death several priests active in Guatemala 1980s as martyrdom has reminded public a long-term hesitation within Catholicism to boundaries martyrdom. Key aspects history this played out seventeenth century. Several religious orders—most prominently Jesuits—argued for redefinition that would include so-called “martyrdom charity” (i.e. those who had...

Since its creation in the season of 1641–42, Pierre Corneille’s martyr-play Polyeucte has generated widely di·ering interpretations, more so than any other work by the playwright. The debate that first surfaced among Corneille’s contemporaries, focusing on the orthodoxy of the tragedy’s central theme of martyrdom, still continues to divide critical opinion. Thus, Andr‹ e Gide confidently assert...