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E04650: The Martyrdom of *Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrix (martyrs of Rome, S00886) is written in Latin, presumably in Rome, at an uncertain date, by the 9th c. at the latest. It narrates the execution of the brothers Simplicius and Faustinus and their burial next to Sextus Philippi on the via Portuensis by Lucina; later, after staying for seven months with Lucina, Beatrix is also killed by the greedy landowner Lucretius and buried on the same site by Lucina.
online resource
posted on 2018-01-22, 00:00 authored by mpignotMartyrdom of Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrix (BHL 7790)
Summary:
§ 1: At the time of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Christians are killed in Rome. Beatrix is the sister of Simplicius and Faustinus who were tortured and sentenced to death. Their bodies were cast into the Tiber at the ‘stone bridge' (pons lapideus) but then found next to Sextus Philippi on the via Portuensis. Beatrix, with the priests Crispus, Iohannes and other Christians, takes the bodies and buries them in Sextus Philippi on the 4th day before the Calends of August [= 29 July]. Beatrix then stays with her sister Lucina for seven months; she is visited by two crows, each bringing her a nut.
§ 2: Hoping to seize an estate (praedium) belonging to Beatrix and her brothers, the neighbouring landowner (possessor) Lucretius has her arrested. As she refuses to offer sacrifice to Diana, Lucretius orders her to be sent to prison hoping to make her change her mind. As she does not yield, he then orders her to be strangled at night by his servants. Lucina buries her next to her brothers in Sextus Philippi on the 4th day before the Calends of August [= 29 July].
§ 3: Lucretius seizes the estate of the saints and hosts a feast. Among those present, a breast-fed infant speaks to Lucretius denouncing his deeds and predicting that he will be seized by the Devil. Lucretius, full of fear, is seized by Satan and dies three hours later. All those present become Christians out of fear and tell about the martyrdom of Beatrix and how she was avenged. As Lucina flees, Beatrix appears to her and tells her to stay because in the same month persecution is to be set to an end.
Text: Acta Sanctorum, Iul. VII, 36-37 (from which paragraph numbers are taken). Summary: M. Pignot.
Summary:
§ 1: At the time of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Christians are killed in Rome. Beatrix is the sister of Simplicius and Faustinus who were tortured and sentenced to death. Their bodies were cast into the Tiber at the ‘stone bridge' (pons lapideus) but then found next to Sextus Philippi on the via Portuensis. Beatrix, with the priests Crispus, Iohannes and other Christians, takes the bodies and buries them in Sextus Philippi on the 4th day before the Calends of August [= 29 July]. Beatrix then stays with her sister Lucina for seven months; she is visited by two crows, each bringing her a nut.
§ 2: Hoping to seize an estate (praedium) belonging to Beatrix and her brothers, the neighbouring landowner (possessor) Lucretius has her arrested. As she refuses to offer sacrifice to Diana, Lucretius orders her to be sent to prison hoping to make her change her mind. As she does not yield, he then orders her to be strangled at night by his servants. Lucina buries her next to her brothers in Sextus Philippi on the 4th day before the Calends of August [= 29 July].
§ 3: Lucretius seizes the estate of the saints and hosts a feast. Among those present, a breast-fed infant speaks to Lucretius denouncing his deeds and predicting that he will be seized by the Devil. Lucretius, full of fear, is seized by Satan and dies three hours later. All those present become Christians out of fear and tell about the martyrdom of Beatrix and how she was avenged. As Lucina flees, Beatrix appears to her and tells her to stay because in the same month persecution is to be set to an end.
Text: Acta Sanctorum, Iul. VII, 36-37 (from which paragraph numbers are taken). Summary: M. Pignot.
History
Evidence ID
E04650Saint Name
Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrix, martyrs in Rome : S00886Saint Name in Source
Simplicius, Faustinus, BeatrixRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Latin
Evidence not before
400Evidence not after
850Activity not before
286Activity not after
850Place of Evidence - Region
Rome and regionPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
RomePlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Rome Rome Rome Roma Ῥώμη RhōmēCult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast