Edition Hide
De mortibus persecutorum

13.

[1] Postridie prosopositum est edictum quo cavebatur, ut religionis illius homines carerent omni honore ac dignitate, tormentis subiecti essent, ex quocumque ordine aut gradu venirent, adversus eos omnis actio valeret, ipsi non de iniuria, non de adulterio, non de rebus ablatis agere possent, libertatem denique ac vocem non haberent. [2] Quod edictum quidam etsi non recte, magno tamen animo deripuit et conscidit, cum irridens diceret victorias Gothorum et Sarmatarum propositas. [3] Statimque perductus non modo extortus, sed etiam legitime coctus cum admirabili patientia postremo exustus est.

Translation Hide
Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died

Chap. XIII.

Next day an edict was published, depriving the Christians of all honours and dignities; ordaining also that, without any distinction of rank or degree, they should be subjected to tortures, and that every suit at law should be received against them; while, on the other hand, they were debarred from being plaintiffs in questions of wrong, adultery, or theft; and, finally, that they should neither be capable of freedom, nor have right of suffrage. A certain person tore down this edict, and cut it in pieces, improperly indeed, but with high spirit, saying in scorn, "These are the triumphs of Goths and Sarmatians." Having been instantly seized and brought to judgment, he was not only tortured, but burnt alive, in the forms of law; and having displayed admirable patience under sufferings, he was consumed to ashes.