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E04418: Latin poem on the martyrdom of *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097) composed by Prudentius, writing c. 400 in Calahorra (northern Spain). The poem, part of his Crowns of the Martyrs (Peristephanon), gives an account of the young virgin Agnes, who refuses to sacrifice to the pagan gods. She is put in a brothel but no one dares to take her virginity. Eventually, she is beheaded by a soldier and her soul is taken to heaven. Overview of Peristephanon XIV
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posted on 2017-11-30, 00:00 authored by mszadaLiber Peristephanon, Poem XIV
Summary:
The tomb of Agnes is located in Rome. She is praised as a saint having a double crown – one of virginity and the other of martyrdom. She is presented as a patron saint of the Romans but she also protects strangers who turn to her for protection (see $E04509).
Agnes is a very young girl who refuses to sacrifice to the pagan gods although being prompted to it in different ways. But as she is staunch in her refusal, the persecutor decides to put her in a brothel so that she will lose her virginity. Agnes is placed at a corner of the square as a prostitute but no one dares to approach her. One man who gives her a lustful look, is struck by a lightning, loses his senses and is half-dead. She later prays for him and his health is restored (see $E04510).
Eventually, a soldier with a naked sword comes to kill her, and she greets him as the only lover who could please her. Through the act of martyrdom Agnes is married to Christ. The soldier beheads Agnes, she dies instantly without pain and her soul is taken to heaven. She observes the world beneath her and derides its vanities. Finally, God crowns her with a double crown of virgin and martyr. The poem ends with a prayer of the poet to Agnes for purity of heart.
Text: Cunningham 1966, 386-389. Translation: Thomson 1953, 339-345.
Summary:
The tomb of Agnes is located in Rome. She is praised as a saint having a double crown – one of virginity and the other of martyrdom. She is presented as a patron saint of the Romans but she also protects strangers who turn to her for protection (see $E04509).
Agnes is a very young girl who refuses to sacrifice to the pagan gods although being prompted to it in different ways. But as she is staunch in her refusal, the persecutor decides to put her in a brothel so that she will lose her virginity. Agnes is placed at a corner of the square as a prostitute but no one dares to approach her. One man who gives her a lustful look, is struck by a lightning, loses his senses and is half-dead. She later prays for him and his health is restored (see $E04510).
Eventually, a soldier with a naked sword comes to kill her, and she greets him as the only lover who could please her. Through the act of martyrdom Agnes is married to Christ. The soldier beheads Agnes, she dies instantly without pain and her soul is taken to heaven. She observes the world beneath her and derides its vanities. Finally, God crowns her with a double crown of virgin and martyr. The poem ends with a prayer of the poet to Agnes for purity of heart.
Text: Cunningham 1966, 386-389. Translation: Thomson 1953, 339-345.
History
Evidence ID
E04418Saint Name
Agnes, virgin and martyr of Rome : S00097Saint Name in Source
AgnesRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Poems Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Latin