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apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

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502 EPISTLE OF S. POLYCARP.<br />

(y) Decree against Superstitious Rites.<br />

(i)<br />

DiGESTA xlviii. 19. 30.<br />

Modestinus prima libro de poenis. Si quis aliquid fecerit quo leves<br />

hominum animi superstitionis<br />

numine terrentur, divus Marcus hujusmodi<br />

homines in insulam relegari rescripsit.<br />

(ii)<br />

Paulus Sentetit. v. 21. 2.<br />

Qui novas et usu vel ratione incognitas religiones inducunt, ex<br />

quibus animi hominum moveantur, honestiores deportantur, humiliores<br />

capite puniuntur.<br />

These two notices apparently refer to the same decree. Though not directly<br />

aimed at the Christians, it might be used as a serviceable weapon against them. In<br />

interpreting the motive of M. Aurelius in this ordinance, we ought not to forget that<br />

he allowed himself wide latitude in the matter of rites which others would call superstitious<br />

(see above, p. 465 sq). The date seems to be between A.D. 169—176, when<br />

Marcus was sole emperor.<br />

2. ACTS AND NOTICES OF MARTYRDOMS.<br />

(i)<br />

Hadrian [a.d. 117 — 138].<br />

(a) Teiesphorus, Bishop of Rome.<br />

Iran.<br />

iii.<br />

3. 4 /Aera 8e tovtov [Hvo-tov] Tikta-^opos os k-oL eVSo'^ws<br />

efxaprvp-qcrtv.<br />

This must have happened in the latest years of Hadrian (tA.D. 138). Lipsius<br />

{Chrotiologie der Romischen Bischofe p. 263) places the death of Telesphoras between<br />

A.D. 135—137. In the Liberian Catalogue {ib. p. i()(i) his death is assigned to a.d.<br />

138.<br />

()8) Symp/wrosa<br />

and her Seven Softs.<br />

The story is given in the Fassio Symphorosae etc. (Ruinart Act. Mart. Sine. p. 70<br />

sq). This work is ascribed in the Mss to Julius Africanus the Chronographer<br />

/c. A.D. 220). The narrative is as follows :<br />

Hadrian has built his Tiburtine Villa and wishes to it<br />

inaugurate with sacrifices.<br />

The demons complain that Symphorosa (more correctly Sympherusa) and her sons<br />

torment them by their prayers to their God, She is apprehended and brought before<br />

the emperor. She refuses to sacrifice to idols and is thrown into the river with a<br />

huge stone about her neck, and her body is buried by her brother Eugenius in the<br />

suburbs of Tivoli. Her sons follow her example in resisting the emperor's command.<br />

They are bound to seven stakes near the Temple of Hercules, and stabbed to death<br />

in different parts of the body, the first in the throat, the second in the breast, the

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