Handout #33

Martyrdom of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, in  258 A.D.

GM- Are you Thascius Cyprianus?

C- I am. 

GM- Do you appear as the pope of these impious men? 

C-I do. 

GM- The most sacred emperors have commanded you to conform to the Roman rites. 

C- I refuse. 

GM- Take heed of yourself. 

C- Do as you are bid; in so clear a case I may not take heed. 

Galerius, after briefly conferring with his judicial council, with much reluctance pronounced the following sentence. 'You have long lived an irreligious life, and have drawn together a number of men bound by an unlawful association, and professed yourself open enemy to the gods and the religion of Rome; and the most pious, most sacred and august Emperors, Valerian and Gallienus, and the most noble Caesar Valerian, have endeavored in vain to bring you back to conformity with their religious observances; whereas, therefore, you have been apprehended as principal and ringleader in these infamous crimes, you shall be made an example to those whom you have wickedly associated with you; the authority of law shall be ratified in your blood. '

He then read the sentence of the court from a written tablet: 'It is the sentence of this court that Thascius Cyprianus be executed with the sword.' 

C-Thanks be to God.

From the Acta proconsularia of St.Cyprian, in A New Eusebius, 261f.   Note: the word Pope was used of all bishops down to the fifth century: it mean father. 

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