Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs (complete)
Latin text: Gebhardt 1902 (OCR made for this site).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).
Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs (title)
0Gebhardt, 22
Passio Sanctorum Scillitanorum.
The Passion of the Holy Scillitan Martyrs.
Notes and citation
Summary: Title of the record.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (item number and OCR slips): IV. Passio Sanetorum Seillitanorum. l → Passio Sanctorum Scillitanorum..
Cite (SBL): Act. pref. (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/0). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/0
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 1
1Gebhardt, 22
Praesente bis et Claudiano consulibus, XVI. kalendas Augustas Karthagine in secretario inpositis Sperato, Nartzalo et Cittino, Donata, Secunda, Vestia, Saturninus proconsul dixit: Potestis indulgentiam domini nostri imperatoris promereri si ad bonam mentem redeatis.
In the consulship of Praesens, for the second time, and Claudianus, on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of August, at Carthage, in the council chamber, Speratus, Nartzalus and Cittinus, Donata, Secunda, and Vestia were set before the court. Saturninus the proconsul said, “You can earn the indulgence of our lord the emperor, if you return to a sound mind.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The Scillitan Christians are tried at Carthage on 17 July 180.
- The date is 17 July 180.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Act. 1 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/1). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 2
2Gebhardt, 22
Speratus dixit: Numquam malefecimus, iniquitati nullam operam praebuimus; numquam malediximus, sed male accepti gratias egimus, propter quod imperatorem nostrum obseruamus.
Speratus said, “We have never done wrong; we have lent ourselves to no wickedness; we have never cursed anyone, but when ill-treated we have given thanks; for which reason we pay heed to our Emperor.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Speratus says the Christians have done no wrong.
- “Our Emperor” may mean God; the Greek recension (2) reads “since we serve our God and King.”
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 2 misread): ?Speratus → Speratus.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Act. 2 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/2). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 3
3Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit: Et nos religiosi sumus, et, simplex est religio nostra, et iuramus per genium domini nostri imperatoris et pro salute eius supplicamus; quod et uos quoque facere debetis.
Saturninus the proconsul said, “We too are religious, and our religion is simple: we swear by the genius of our lord the emperor and we pray for his welfare, as you too ought to do.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The proconsul describes Roman religion and asks for the oath by the emperor's genius.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 3 misread): ?Saturninus → Saturninus.
Topics: Oaths
Cite (SBL): Act. 3 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/3). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 4
4Gebhardt, 22
Speratus dixit: Si tranquillas praebueris aures tuas, dico mysterium simplicitatis.
Speratus said, “If you will give me a quiet hearing, I will tell you the mystery of simplicity.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Speratus offers to explain the Christian faith.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 4 misread): *Speratus → Speratus.
Cite (SBL): Act. 4 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/4). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/4
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 5
5Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit: Initianti tibi mala de sacris nostris aures non praebebo; sed potius iurate per genium domini nostri imperatoris.
Saturninus the proconsul said, “Since you are beginning to speak evil of our sacred rites, I will not give you a hearing; rather, swear by the genius of our lord the emperor.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The proconsul refuses to hear and demands the oath.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 5 misread): ὃ Saturninus → Saturninus.
Topics: Oaths
Cite (SBL): Act. 5 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/5). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/5
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 6
6Gebhardt, 22
Speratus dixit: Ego imperium huius saeculi non cognosco, sed magis illi deo seruio quem nemo hominum uidit nec uidere his oculis potest. furtum non feci; sed si quid emero theloneum reddo, quia cognosco dominum meum et imperatorem regum omnium gentium.
Speratus said, “I do not recognize the empire of this world; rather I serve that God whom no one among men has seen or can see with these eyes. I have committed no theft; and if I buy anything I pay the tax, because I acknowledge my Lord, the Emperor of kings and of all nations.”
1 Tim 6:16 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 19:16 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Speratus serves the invisible God, though he pays his taxes.
- Cf. 1 Tim 6:16 (God whom no one has seen or can see); Rev 17:14; 19:16 (King of kings). Some witnesses read “my Lord, King of kings and Lord of all nations.”
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 6 misread): $ Speratus → Speratus.
Topics: Rulers and the state
Cite (SBL): Act. 6 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/6). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/6
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 7
7Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit ceteris: Desinite huius esse persuasionis. Speratus dixit: Mala est persuasio homicidium facere, falsum testimonium dicere.
Saturninus the proconsul said to the rest, “Cease to be of this persuasion.” Speratus said, “It is an evil persuasion to commit murder or to bear false witness.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The proconsul urges the others to give up their persuasion.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (line number inside a hyphenated word; section numeral 7 misread): "Saturninus → Saturninus; testi5 monium → testimonium.
Cite (SBL): Act. 7 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/7). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/7
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 8
8Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit: Nolite huius dementiae esse participes. Cittinus dixit: Nos non habemus alium quem timeamus, nisi dominum deum nostrum qui est in caelis.
Saturninus the proconsul said, “Have no part in this madness.” Cittinus said, “We have no one else to fear except the Lord our God, who is in heaven.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Cittinus fears only God.
Cite (SBL): Act. 8 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/8). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/8
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 9
9Gebhardt, 22
Donata dixit: Honorem Caesari quasi Caesari, timorem autem deo. Vestia dixit: Christiana sum. Secunda dixit: Quod sum, ipsud uolo esse.
Donata said, “Honor to Caesar as Caesar, but fear to God.” Vestia said, “I am a Christian.” Secunda said, “What I am, that I wish to be.”
Matt 22:21 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rom 13:7 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Donata, Vestia, and Secunda confess.
- Cf. Matt 22:21; Rom 13:7 (Gebhardt's margin).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 9 misread): ?Donata → Donata.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 9 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/9). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/9
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 10
10Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul Sperato dixit: Perseueras Christianus? ^ Speratus dixit: Christianus sum. et cum eo omnes consenserunt.
Saturninus the proconsul said to Speratus, “Do you persist in being a Christian?” Speratus said, “I am a Christian.” And all agreed with him.
Notes and citation
Summary: Speratus and the others persist in their confession.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (the editor's apparatus (a variant to section 6) leaked into the text): meum, regem regum et omnium gentium dominum B. → .
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 10 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/10). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/10
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 11
11Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit: Numquid ad deliberandum spatium uultis? Speratus dixit: In re tam iusta nulla est deliberatio.
Saturninus the proconsul said, “Do you want some time to think it over?” Speratus said, “In so just a matter there is no thinking it over.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Speratus refuses time to deliberate.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 11 misread): !H Saturninus → Saturninus.
Cite (SBL): Act. 11 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/11). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/11
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 12
12Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit: Quae sunt res in capsa uestra? Speratus dixit: Libri et epistulae Pauli uiri iusti.
Saturninus the proconsul said, “What are the things in your case?” Speratus said, “Books, and letters of Paul, a just man.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The Christians carry books and Paul's letters.
- “Books” probably means books of Scripture (perhaps the Gospels), distinguished from Paul's letters.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 12 misread): !?Saturninus → Saturninus.
Topics: Scripture and canon
Cite (SBL): Act. 12 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/12). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/12
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 13
13Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul dixit: Moram XXX dierum habete et recordemini. Speratus iterum dixit: Christianus sum. et cum eo omnes consenserunt.
Saturninus the proconsul said, “Have a delay of thirty days and reflect.” Speratus said again, “I am a Christian.” And all agreed with him.
Notes and citation
Summary: A thirty-day delay is offered and refused.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 13 misread): !?Saturninus → Saturninus.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 13 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/13). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/13
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 14
14Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul decretum ex tabella recitauit: Speratum, Nartzalum, Cittinum, Donatam, Vestiam, Secundam et ceteros ritu Christiano se uiuere confessos, quoniam oblata sibi facultate ad Romanorum morem redeundi obstinanter perseuerauerunt, gladio animaduerti placet.
Saturninus the proconsul read out the decree from a tablet: “Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Donata, Vestia, Secunda, and the others, who have confessed that they live according to the Christian rite, since, though offered the opportunity of returning to the custom of the Romans, they have obstinately persisted, it is decided that they be put to death by the sword.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The proconsul sentences them to death by the sword.
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Act. 14 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/14). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/14
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 15
15Gebhardt, 22
Speratus dixit: Deo gratias agimus. Nartzalus dixit: Hodie martyres in caelis sumus. deo gratias.
Speratus said, “We give thanks to God.” Nartzalus said, “Today we are martyrs in heaven. Thanks be to God.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The condemned give thanks.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 15 misread): JSperatus → Speratus.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 15 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/15). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/15
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 16
16Gebhardt, 22
Saturninus proconsul per praeconem dici iussit: Speratum, Nartzalum, Cittinum, Veturium, Felicem, Aquilinum, Laetantium, Ianuariam, Generosam, Vestiam, Donatam, Secundam duci iussi.
Saturninus the proconsul ordered it proclaimed by the herald: “I have ordered Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Ianuaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata, and Secunda to be led out.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The herald proclaims the names of the twelve condemned.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 16 misread): léSaturninus → Saturninus.
Cite (SBL): Act. 16 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/16). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/16
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 17
17Gebhardt, 22
Vniuersi dixerunt: Deo gratias. et statim decollati sunt pro nomine Christi.
All said, “Thanks be to God.” And at once they were beheaded for the name of Christ.
Notes and citation
Summary: The martyrs are beheaded.
- Gebhardt reports that other witnesses add: “And so all were crowned with martyrdom together, and they reign with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.”
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral 17 misread; the editor's apparatus and a running head leaked into the text): !'Vniuersi → Vniuersi; 85s. et ita omnes simul martyrio coronati sunt, et regnant cum patre et filio et spiritu sancto per omnia saecula saeculorum, amen ai. IV. Passio SS. Seilitanorum. Epilogus. PAri → .
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 17 (Gebhardt, 22; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/17). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-scilitanorum/17
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.