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E00799: Latin poem on the *Eighteen Martyrs of Saragossa (north-eastern Spain, S00485), composed by Prudentius, writing c. 400 in Calahorra (northern Spain). The poem, part of his Crowns of the Martyrs (Peristephanon), also mentions other saints connected to Saragossa: *Vincent (deacon and martyr of Saragossa and Valencia, S00290), *Encratis (confessor of Saragossa, S00512) and *Gaius and Crementius (confessors of Saragossa, S00513).
online resource
posted on 2015-10-19, 00:00 authored by mszadaLiber Peristephanon, Poem IV
Summary:
Prudentius argues that at the end of time every city will present to Christ its martyrs; Saragossa, with its eighteen martyrs will surpass them all (see $E00801). The martyrdom of the Eighteen Martyrs purified the city of Saragossa, so that now Christ dwells in its streets.
Prudentius mentions Vincent, martyr at Valencia, who served as a deacon in Saragossa and was inspired by the example of the martyrdom of the Eighteen (see $E00813).
The poem gives brief accounts of the suffering of the Eighteen Martyrs of Saragossa, and of Encratis, a girl who was tortured but survived the torture and gave witness to the suffering and death of the others: Optatus and Luperculus, Successus and Martialis, Urbanus, Julia and Quintilianus, Publius, Fronto, Felix, Caecilianus, Evotius, Primitivus, Apodemius, and four martyrs called Saturninus. Their names are written in the book of heaven which will be opened and read at the end of time: an angel will rehearse them in the presence of the Son and the Father. They are said to govern the city (regimen urbis tenentes) by right of their burial (iure sepulcri) in Saragossa. To them there are added Encratis, Vincent and also Gaius and Crementius, who confessed the Lord but were not put to death; in so doing, 'both tasted lightly the savour of martyrdom' (ambo gustarunt leviter saporem martyriorum).
The poem ends with an appeal to the citizens of Saragossa to cast themselves at the tombs of the martyrs; at the end of time their souls and bodies will rise and so will the people of Saragossa.
Text: Cunningham 1966: 286-293. Translation: Thomson 1953:157-169. Summary: M. Tycner.
Summary:
Prudentius argues that at the end of time every city will present to Christ its martyrs; Saragossa, with its eighteen martyrs will surpass them all (see $E00801). The martyrdom of the Eighteen Martyrs purified the city of Saragossa, so that now Christ dwells in its streets.
Prudentius mentions Vincent, martyr at Valencia, who served as a deacon in Saragossa and was inspired by the example of the martyrdom of the Eighteen (see $E00813).
The poem gives brief accounts of the suffering of the Eighteen Martyrs of Saragossa, and of Encratis, a girl who was tortured but survived the torture and gave witness to the suffering and death of the others: Optatus and Luperculus, Successus and Martialis, Urbanus, Julia and Quintilianus, Publius, Fronto, Felix, Caecilianus, Evotius, Primitivus, Apodemius, and four martyrs called Saturninus. Their names are written in the book of heaven which will be opened and read at the end of time: an angel will rehearse them in the presence of the Son and the Father. They are said to govern the city (regimen urbis tenentes) by right of their burial (iure sepulcri) in Saragossa. To them there are added Encratis, Vincent and also Gaius and Crementius, who confessed the Lord but were not put to death; in so doing, 'both tasted lightly the savour of martyrdom' (ambo gustarunt leviter saporem martyriorum).
The poem ends with an appeal to the citizens of Saragossa to cast themselves at the tombs of the martyrs; at the end of time their souls and bodies will rise and so will the people of Saragossa.
Text: Cunningham 1966: 286-293. Translation: Thomson 1953:157-169. Summary: M. Tycner.
History
Evidence ID
E00799Saint Name
Eighteen martyrs of Saragossa (Spain), ob. before 304 : S00485 Vincent, deacon and martyr of Saragossa and Valencia, ob. c. 305 : S00290 Encratis, girl tortured in Saragossa (Spain), ob. in the 4th c. : S00512 Gaius and Crementius, Christians persSaint Name in Source
Optatus, Luperculus, Successus, Martialis, Urbanus, Iulia, Quintilianuc, Publius, Fronto, Felix, Caecilianus, Evotius, Primitivus, Apodemius, Saturninus Vincentius Encratis Gaius, CrementiusRelated Saint Records
- https://oxford.figshare.com/articles/Encratis_Encratia_confessor_of_Saragossa_Spain/13730488
- https://oxford.figshare.com/articles/Gaius_and_Crementius_confessors_of_Saragossa_Spain/13730494
- https://oxford.figshare.com/articles/Vincentius_Vincent_deacon_and_martyr_of_Saragossa_and_Valencia/13729915
- https://oxford.figshare.com/articles/Eighteen_martyrs_of_Saragossa_Spain_/13730425
Type of Evidence
Literary - Poems Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Latin