A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

78 A Source Book for Ancient Church History13. For a discussion of their genuineness, see McGiffert's notesto Eusebius, Hist. Ec. The original texts may be found inPreuschen's Analecta, I, § 6 f.(a) Justin Martyr, Apologia. II. 2. (MSG, 6:445.)The martyrdom of Ptolemæus.A certain woman had been converted to Christianity byPtolemæus. Her dissolute husband, who had deserted hersome time before, was divorced by her on account of hisprofligacy. In revenge he attempted to injure her, but shesought and obtained the protection of the imperial courts.The husband thereupon turned his attack upon Ptolemæus.According to Ruinart, the martyrdom took place in 166. SeeDCB, arts. “Ptolemæus” and “Justin Martyr.” This and thefollowing martyrdoms illustrate the procedure of the courts indealing with Christians.[066]Since he was no longer able to prosecute her, he directed hisassaults against a certain Ptolemæus whom Urbicus punished,and who had been the teacher of the woman in the Christiandoctrines. And he did this in the following way: He persuadeda centurion, his friend, who had cast Ptolemæus into prison, totake Ptolemæus and interrogate him only as to whether he werea Christian. And Ptolemæus, being a lover of the truth, and notof deceitful or false disposition, when he confessed himself tobe a Christian, was thrown in chains by the centurion and for along time was punished in prison. At last, when he was broughtto Urbicus, he was asked this one question only: whether he wasa Christian. And again, conscious of the noble things that werehis through the teaching of Christ, he confessed his discipleshipin the divine virtue. For he who denies anything either deniesit because he condemns the thing itself or he avoids confessionbecause he knows his own unworthiness or alienation from it;