Like any historian, Eusebius is only as good as his sources. When it comes to 2nd century persecutions, his sources are sometimes excellent (e.g., Justin Martyr) and sometimes not quite as reliable. Nevertheless, while one might question some of the details he includes, Eusebius is an excellent source for understanding the reasons Christians were persecuted and the reasons Christianity was able to grow despite the persecutions.Read through some of the martyrdom sections in Books IV and V of Eusebius' History of the Church. Sections you might find particularly useful are 4:14-17 (which includes an account of the martyrdom of Polycarp) and 5:1-3 (which includes the martyrdom of Blandina).
What do you find in these sections that helps explain Roman persecution of the Christians or helps explain the perseverence of the Christians despite the persecutions?
4 comments:
First!
Eusebius 4
Joseph Adam
We find out in Eusebius’s documented work that roman punishment was very cruel. They try to get Polycarp to come to the side of the pagan Romans but it fails. Polycarp stays faithful to his religion. They begin to threaten Polycarp if he does not change his potion on the Religion. When Polycarp is burned he is resistant to the fire.
I think that this Martyr story is very inspirational to the people of the time. If you remain faithful good things will come about.
Roman citizens were free to experiment with other cults, as long as they remained loyal to the state Religion. However, Christianity was different; its followers were perceived as criminals and reviled throughout the Empire, though few really understood.
The Eucharist, for example, was taken literally to involve cannibalism, their secret meetings were said to practice incest and child murder and to resort to group sex. This is what the Romans wanted the Christians to tell about so they would go through any means necessary to get a confession.
Martyrdom was idealized by the Christians as fast-track route to salvation. The eagerness, with which condemned Christians met their death, baffled the Roman authorities and served to heighten the lack of respect for the Christians. The Romans were very stead fast as this was the only crime that repentance was generally enough to get the accused acquitted
I would have changed my mind quite fast in front of a croud and started back with with my old practices as soon as they stop looking.
As I read the details of the Marytr of Polycarp, it amazed me as to the faith of these early Christians. The Romans and it appears with the encouragement of the Jews tried everything they could to stamp out the Christian faith. It is almost as if they did some of it for entertainment and also did it out of frustration that these Christians refused to deny Christ and worship Caeser. It seems that the more steadfast and courageous that the martyrs faced death, the more incensed the authorities became as they tried to do even more terrible things to the Christians. I do believe that by these martyrs facing death so bravely and it appeared with a great inner peace, it probably inspired the surviving Christians and may also have led to many conversions of people who were impressed that somebody could go through that for their faith.
The detail in which Eusebius goes to explain the persecutions is quite extreme, but he tells it as though it is a huge privilege to die for Christ. “They first relate what happened to the other martyrs, describing the fortitude they showed when tortured, amazing spectators. Sometimes the scourges tore into their innermost veins and arteries, revealing their entrails and organs. At other times they were stretched across pointed seashells and sharp spikes and finally were fed to animals.” In my honest opinion, I would not like to explain so detailed what had happened to a person that is very similar to me. I think the reason that the Christians remained so steadfast is because their leaders were willing to walk the walk and talk the talk. For example Polycarp is being persecuted and he continues to remain steadfast in his love for Christ. This, in my opinion, would help rally support for the cause and give people the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
Jon Adam
Post a Comment