E00782: Latin poem on *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), composed by Prudentius, writing c. 400 in Calahorra (northern Spain). The poem, part of the Crowns of the Martyrs (Peristephanon), recounts the martyrdom of Laurence and presents him as a saint who led Rome to victory over pagan gods.

Liber Peristephanon, Poem II

Summary:

Laurence is described as the martyr who led the city of Rome to victory over pagan gods.

During the persecutions Sixtus, bishop of Rome, is crucified, and at his martyrdom he predicts the martyrdom of his deacon Laurence (see E00767). Laurence is described as one of the seven deacons of Rome, responsible for the treasury. The city prefect wishes to seize the wealth of the church; he inquires of Laurence about the place where precious vessels and money from the faithful are hidden, and wants it to be given to the emperor. Laurence agrees and asks for some time, so that he can make a list of all the belongings of the church. He finds all the poor whom the church supported, inscribes them on a list and lets them gather in front of the church. He presents them to the prefect as the real wealth and gold of the world; they are weak in flesh, but strong in their souls, unlike the rich and powerful, who suffer from internal illness. The prefect accuses Laurence of mocking him; he is aware that Laurence is prepared for martyrdom, but he does not want him to die quickly and puts him to a slow death. A pyre is prepared for the martyr; soldiers undress him and his face shines with beauty and calm. He is compared to Stephen, the first martyr. He is slowly roasted on the pyre, his burning flesh smelling of nectar to the Christians present. After a while Laurence asks his tormentors to turn him on the pyre, so that also the other half of his body is burnt. Laurence dies while praying for the city of Rome which he says was founded by God, for it one day to become Christian. The senators inspired to the faith by the example of Laurence carry his body on their shoulders. From the day of the martyrdom the pagan religion starts to falter and more and more people, even from the highest levels of the society, convert to Christianity and give honour to the martyr. The poet, turning to a more personal tone, says that he is geographically far away from Rome and cannot see with his own eyes the signs of Laurence's martyrdom but can look up to heaven where Laurence dwells as an honoured citizen and official. In this capacity he listens to the petitions of the inhabitants of Rome. At the end, Prudentius confesses his own sinfulness that makes him unworthy to approach Christ directly but believes that he can be healed by the advocacy of the martyrs (see $E05958).

Edition: Cunningham 1966: 257-277. Translation: Thomson 1953, 108-142. Summary: M. Tycner and M. Szada.