Passio Perpetuae: PASSIO SANCTARUM PERPETUAE ET FELICITATIS

[1] Si uetera fidei exempla et Dei gratiam testificantia et aedificationem hominis operantia propterea in litteris sunt digesta ut lectione eorum quasi repraesentatione rerum et Deus honoretur et homo confortetur, cur non et noua documenta aeque utrique causae conuenientia et digerantur?2. uel quia proinde et haec uetera futura quandoque sunt et necessaria posteris, si in praesenti suo tempore minori deputantur auctoritati propter praesumptam uenerationem antiquitatis. 3. sed uiderint qui unam uirtutem Spiritus unius Sancti pro aetatibus iudicent temporum, cum maiora reputanda sunt nouitiora quaeque ut nouissimiora secundum exuperationem gratiae in ultima saeculi spatia decretam.

[1] If the ancient examples of faith, testifying to the grace of God and effecting the edification of man, have for this reason been digested in letters, so that by their reading, as by a quasi-representation of the events, both God may be honored and man strengthened, why should not new documents likewise, fitting to each of the two causes, also be set in order?2. Or because in like manner these too will someday be ancient and necessary for posterity, even if in the present, in their own time, they are assigned to lesser authority on account of the presumed veneration of antiquity. 3. But let those see to it who judge the one virtue of the one Holy Spirit by the ages of times, since whatever is more new is to be reckoned greater as more last, according to the preeminence of grace decreed for the ultimate spans of the age.

4. In nouissimis enim diebus, dicit dominus, effundam de Spiritu meo super omnem carnem, et prophetabunt filii filiaeque eorum; et super seruos et ancillas meas de meo Spiritu effundam; et iuuenes uisiones uidebunt, et senes somnia somniabunt. 5. itaque et nos qui sicut prophetias ita et uisiones nouas pariter repromissas et agnoscimus et honoramus ceterasque uirtutes Spiritus Sancti ad instrumentum Ecclesiae deputamus (cui et missus est idem omnia donatiua administraturus in omnibus, prout unicuique distribuit dominus) necessario et digerimus et ad gloriam Dei lectione celebramus, ut ne qua aut inbecillitas aut desperatio fidei apud ueteres tantum aestimet gratiam diuinitatis conuersatam, sive in martyrum siue in reuelationum dignatione, cum semper Deus operetur quae repromisit, non credentibus in testimonium, credentibus in beneficium. 6. et nos itaque quod audiuimus et contrectauimus, annuntiamus et uobis, fratres et filioli, uti et uos qui interfuistis rememoremini gloriae domini et qui nunc cognoscitis per auditum communionem habeatis cum sanctis martyribus, et per illos cum domino nostro Iesu Christo cui est claritas et honor in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

4. In the last days, indeed, says the Lord, I will pour out from my Spirit upon all flesh, and their sons and daughters will prophesy; and upon my male servants and maidservants I will pour out from my Spirit; and the youths will see visions, and the elders will dream dreams. 5. And so we too, who both recognize and honor, just as prophecies, so also the new visions promised alike, and assign the other virtues of the Holy Spirit to the instrument of the Church (to which also the same was sent to administer all gifts in all things, according as the Lord has distributed to each), necessarily both set them in order and celebrate them by reading to the glory of God, so that no weakness or desperation of faith may suppose that the grace of divinity has dwelt only among the ancients, whether in the favor shown to martyrs or to revelations, since God always works the things he has promised— for the unbelieving as testimony, for the believing as beneficence. 6. And we therefore what we have heard and handled, we announce also to you, brethren and little children, so that you also who were present may remember the glory of the Lord, and you who now come to know by hearing may have communion with the holy martyrs, and through them with our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is glory and honor unto the ages of ages. Amen.

[2] Apprehensi sunt adolescentes catechumeni, Reuocatus et Felicitas, conserua eius, Saturninus et Secundulus. Inter hos et Vibia Perpetua, honeste nata, liberaliter instituta, matronaliter nupta,2. habens patrem et matrem et fratres duos, alterum aeque catechumenum, et filium infantem ad ubera. 3. erat autem ipsa circiter annorum uiginti duo.

[2] The young catechumens were apprehended, Revocatus and Felicitas,
his fellow-slave, Saturninus and Secundulus. Among these was also Vibia Perpetua, honorably
born, liberally educated, matronally married, 2. having a father and mother and
two brothers, one likewise a catechumen, and an infant son at the breast. 3. She herself
was about twenty-two years of age.

haec ordinem totum martyrii sui iam hinc ipsa narrauit sicut conscriptum manu sua et suo sensu reliquit.

From this point onward she herself narrated the whole order of her martyrdom, just as she left it written by her own hand and with her own sense.

[3] Cum adhuc, inquit, cum prosecutoribus essemus et me pater uerbis euertere cupiret et deicere pro sua affectione perseueraret: Pater, inquam, uides uerbi gratia uas hoc iacens, urceolum siue aliud? et dixit: Video.2. et ego dixi ei: Numquid alio nomine uocari potest quam quod est?

[3] While still, she says, we were with the prosecutors and my father wished to overturn me with words
and persevered to cast me down on account of his affection: Father, I said,
do you see, for example, this vessel lying here, a little pitcher or something else? And he said: I see. 2. and
I said to him: Can it be called by any other name than what it is?

et ait: Non. sic et ego aliud me dicere non possum nisi quod sum, Christiana. 3. tunc pater motus hoc uerbo mittit se in me ut oculos mihi erueret, sed uexauit tantum et profectus est uictus cum argumentis diaboli.

and he said: No. thus and I too cannot call myself anything other than what I am, a Christian woman. 3. then my father, moved by this word, hurled himself at me to gouge out my eyes, but only rough-handled me, and departed, defeated together with the arguments of the devil.

4. tunc paucis diebus quod caruissem patre, domino gratias egi et refrigeraui absentia illius.5. in ipso spatio paucorum dierum baptizati sumus, et mihi Spiritus dictauit non aliud petendum ab aqua nisi sufferentiam carnis. post paucos dies recipimur in carcerem; et expaui, quia numquam experta eram tales tenebras. 6. o diem asperum: aestus ualidus turbarum beneficio, concussurae militum.

4. then, because for a few days I had been without my father, I gave thanks to the Lord and was refreshed by his absence.5. in that very span of a few days we were baptized, and the Spirit dictated to me to ask from the water nothing else but the endurance of the flesh. after a few days we are received into prison; and I was terrified, because I had never experienced such darkness. 6. O harsh day: strong heat by the agency of the crowds, the jostlings of the soldiers.

nouissime macerabar sollicitudine infantis ibi. 7. tunc Tertius et Pomponius, benedicti diaconi qui nobis ministrabant, constituerunt praemio uti paucis horis emissi in meliorem locum carceris refrigeraremus. 8. tunc exeuntes de carcere uni uersi sibi uacabant.

at last
i was being worn down by solicitude for the infant there. 7. then Tertius and Pomponius, blessed
deacons who were ministering to us, resolved to make use of a bribe, that, having been let out for a few hours,
we might be refreshed in a better place of the prison. 8. then, going out of the prison, all
were at leisure for themselves.

ego infantem lactabam iam inedia defectum; sollicita pro eo adloquebar matrem et confortabam fratrem, commendabam filium; tabescebam ideo quod illos tabescere uideram mei beneficio. 9. tales sollicitudines multis diebus passa sum; et usurpaui ut mecum infans in carcere maneret; et statim conualui et releuata sum a labore et sollicitudine infantis, et factus est mihi carcer subito praetorium, ut ibi mallem esse quam alicubi.

I was nursing the infant, already exhausted by inanition; anxious on his behalf
I addressed my mother and was comforting my brother, I commended my son; I was wasting away
for this reason, because I had seen them wasting away on account of me. 9. Such solicitudes for many
days I endured; and I obtained that the infant might remain with me in the prison; and at once
I convalesced and was relieved from the labor and solicitude for the infant, and the prison became for me
suddenly a praetorium, such that I preferred to be there rather than anywhere else.

[4] Tunc dixit mihi frater meus: Domina soror, iam in magna dignatione es, tanta ut postules uisionem et ostendatur tibi an passio sit an commeatus.2. et ego quae me sciebam fabulari cum Domino, cuius beneficia tanta experta eram, fidenter repromisi ei dicens: Crastina die tibi renuntiabo. et postulaui, et ostensum est mihi hoc.

[4] Then my brother said to me: Lady sister, you are now in great favor, so great that you should ask for a vision and it be shown to you whether it is a passion or a release.2. And I, who knew that I was conversing with the Lord, whose benefits I had experienced as so great, confidently promised him, saying: On the morrow I will report back to you. And I asked, and this was shown to me.

3. uideo scalam aeream mirae magnitudinis pertingentem usque ad caelum et angustam, per quam nonnisi singuli ascendere possent, et in lateribus scalae omne genus ferramentorum infixum. erant ibi gladii, lanceae, hami, machaerae, ueruta, ut si quis neglegenter aut non sursum adtendens ascenderet, laniaretur et carnes eius inhaererent ferramentis. 4. et erat sub ipsa scala draco cubans mirae magnitudinis, qui ascendentibus insidias praestabat et exterrebat ne ascenderent.

3. I see a brazen ladder of wondrous magnitude reaching
all the way to heaven and narrow, along which only individuals could climb, and on
the sides of the ladder every kind of iron implement was fixed. There were there swords, lances,
hooks, short-swords, javelins, so that if anyone climbed carelessly or not looking upward,
he would be torn and his flesh would stick to the iron implements. 4. And beneath
the ladder itself there was a dragon lying of wondrous size, who for those ascending set ambushes
and terrified them lest they ascend.

5. ascendit autem Saturus prior, qui postea se propter nos ultro tradiderat (quia ipse nos aedificauerat), et tunc cum adducti sumus, praesens non fuerat. 6. et peruenit in caput scalae et conuertit se et dixit mihi: Perpetua, sustineo te; sed uide ne te mordeat draco ille. et dixi ego: Non me nocebit, in nomine Iesu Christi.

5. but Saturus went up first, who afterwards had of his own accord handed himself over on our account (because he himself had edified us), and then, when we were led in, he had not been present. 6. and he reached the head of the ladder and turned himself and said to me: Perpetua, I am waiting for you; but see that that dragon not bite you. And I said: It will not harm me, in the name of Jesus Christ.

7. et desub ipsa scala, quasi timens me, lente eiecit caput. et quasi primum gradum calcarem, calcaui illi caput et ascendi. 8. et uidi spatium immensum horti et in medio sedentem hominem canum in habitu pastoris, grandem, oues mulgentem.

7. and from beneath the very ladder, as if fearing me, he slowly thrust out his head. and as if I were treading the first step, I trod upon his head and ascended. 8. and I saw an immense space of a garden and, in the middle, a white-haired man sitting in the habit of a shepherd, great, milking sheep.

et circumstantes candidati milia multa. 9. et leuauit caput et aspexit me et dixit mihi: Bene venisti, teknon. et clamauit me et de caseo quod mulgebat dedit mihi quasi buccellam; et ego accepi iunctis manibus et manducaui; et uniuersi circumstantes dixerunt: Amen.

and standing around, many thousands in white. 9. and he lifted his head and looked at me and said to me: Welcome, child. and he called me, and from the cheese which he was milking he gave me, as it were, a morsel; and I received it with hands joined and ate; and all who were standing around said: Amen.

10. et ad sonum uocis experrecta sum, conmanducans adhuc dulce nescio quid. et retuli statim fratri meo; et intelleximus passionem esse futuram, et coepimus nullam iam spem in saeculo habere.

10. and at the sound of the voice I awoke, still chewing some sweet I-know-not-what. and I related at once to my brother; and we understood that a passion was going to be, and we began to have no hope now in the world.

[5] Post paucos dies rumor cucurrit ut audiremur. superuenit autem et de ciuitate pater meus, consumptus taedio, et ascendit ad me, ut me deiceret, dicens:2 Miserere, filia, canis meis; miserere patri, si dignus sum a te pater uocari; si his te manibus ad hunc florem aetatis prouexi, si te praeposui omnibus fratribus tuis: ne me dederis in dedecus hominum. 3. aspice fratres tuos, aspice matrem tuam et materteram, aspice filium tuum qui post te uiuere non poterit.

[5] After a few days a rumor ran that we would be heard. Moreover my father also arrived from the city, consumed with vexation, and he came up to me to cast me down, saying:2 Have pity, daughter, on my gray hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be called father by you; if with these hands I have brought you on to this bloom of age, if I have set you before all your brothers: do not give me over to the disgrace of men. 3. look upon your brothers, look upon your mother and your maternal aunt, look upon your son, who will not be able to live after you.

4. depone animos; ne uniuersos nos extermines. nemo enim nostrum libere loquetur, si tu aliquid fueris passa. 5. haec dicebat quasi pater pro sua pietate basians mihi manus et se ad pedes meos iactans et lacrimans me iam non filiam nominabat sed dominam.

4. Put down your spirits; do not exterminate us all. For none of us will speak freely, if you should suffer anything. 5. He would say these things as a father, out of his piety, kissing my hands and casting himself at my feet, and weeping he now called me not daughter but mistress.

6. et ego dolebam casum patris mei quod solus de passione mea gauisurus non esset de toto genere meo. et confortaui eum dicens: Hoc fiet in illa catasta quod Deus uoluerit. scito enim nos non in nostra esse potestate constitutos, sed in Dei.

6. and I was grieving my father’s lot, that he alone, out of my whole lineage, would not rejoice at my passion. And I strengthened him, saying: This will happen on that scaffold which God will have willed. Know, for we have not been set in our own power, but in God’s.

et recessit a me contristatus.

and he withdrew from me sorrowful.

[6] Alio die cum pranderemus, subito rapti sumus ut audiremur. et peruenimus ad forum. rumor statim per uicinas fori partes cucurrit et factus est populus inmensus.

[6] On another day, as we were lunching, suddenly we were seized so that we might be heard. and we arrived at the forum. rumor at once ran through the neighboring parts of the forum and an immense crowd gathered.

2. ascendimus in catastam. interrogati ceteri confessi sunt. uentum est et ad me. et apparuit pater ilico cum filio meo et extraxit me de gradu dicens: Supplica.

2. we ascended onto the auction-block. the others, when questioned, confessed. it came to me as well. and straightway my father appeared with my son and pulled me down from the step, saying: Supplicate.

miserere infanti. 3. et Hilarianus procurator, qui tunc loco proconsulis Minuci Timiniani defuncti ius gladii acceperat, Parce, inquit, canis patris tui, parce infantiae pueri. fac sacrum pro salute imperatorum.

have mercy on the infant. 3. and Hilarianus the procurator, who then in place of the proconsul Minucius Timinianus, deceased, had received the right of the sword, says, "Spare the gray hairs of your father; spare the boy's infancy. make the sacrifice
for the safety of the emperors."

4. et ego respondi: Non facio. Hilarianus: Christiana es? inquit. et ego respondi: Christiana sum.

4. and I responded: I will not do it. Hilarianus: Christian
are you? he said. and I responded: I am a Christian.

5. et cum staret pater ad me deiciendam, iussus est ab Hilariano proiciet uirga percussus est. et doluit mihi casus patris mei quasi ego fuissem percussa; sic dolui pro senecta eius misera. 6. tunc nos uniuersos pronuntiat et damnat ad bestias; et hilares descendimus ad carcerem.

5. And when my father was standing to cast me down, he was ordered by Hilarianus to be cast out, and he was struck with a rod. And my father’s misfortune pained me as if I myself had been struck; so I grieved for his wretched old age. 6. Then he pronounces upon us all and condemns us to the beasts; and cheerful, we went down to the prison.

7. tunc quia consueuerat a me infans mammas accipere et mecum in carcere manere, statim mitto ad patrem Pomponium diaconum, postulans infantem. sed pater dare noluit. 8. et quomodo Deus uoluit, neque ille amplius mammas desiderauit neque mihi feruorem fecerunt ne sollicitudine infantis et dolore mammarum macerarer.

7. then, because the infant had been accustomed to nurse from me and to remain with me in prison, immediately I send to Father Pomponius, the deacon, requesting the infant. But my father was unwilling to give him. 8. And just as God willed, neither did he any longer desire the breasts, nor did they bring on a fever for me, so that I might not be worn down by solicitude for the infant and by the pain of the breasts.

[7] Post dies paucos, dum uniuersi oramus, subito media oratione profecta est mihi uox et nominaui Dinocraten. et obstipui quod numquam mihi in mentem uenisset nisi tunc, et dolui commemorata casus eius.2. et cognoui me statim dignam esse et pro eo petere debere.

[7] After a few days, while we were all praying, suddenly, in the middle of the prayer, a voice came forth to me and I named Dinocrates. And I was astonished that it had never come into my mind except then, and I grieved at the recalling of his misfortune.2. And I understood at once that I was worthy and ought to make petition on his behalf.

et coepi de ipso orationem facere multum et ingemescere ad dominum. 3. continuo ipsa nocte ostensum est mihi hoc. 4. uideo Dinocraten exeuntem de loco tenebroso ubi et conplures erant, aestuantem ualde et sitientem, sordido cultu et colore pallido; et uulnus in facie eius, quod cum moreretur habuit.

and I began to make much prayer about him himself and to groan to the Lord. 3. immediately that very night this was shown to me. 4. I see Dinocrates coming out from a tenebrous place where there were many as well, sweltering greatly and thirsting, in sordid attire and with a pallid complexion; and a wound on his face, which he had when he died.

5. hic Dinocrates fuerat frater meus carnalis, annorum septem, qui per infirmitatem facie cancerata male obiit ita ut mors eius odio fuerit omnibus hominibus. 6. pro hoc ergo orationem feceram; et inter me et illum grande erat diastema ita ut uterque ad inuicem accedere non possemus. 7. erat deinde in illo loco ubi Dinocrates erat piscina plena aqua, altiorem marginem habens quam erat statura pueri; et extendebat se Dinocrates quasi bibiturus.

5. This Dinocrates had been my carnal brother, seven years old, who through infirmity, with his face cancer-eaten, died wretchedly, so that his death was hateful to all men. 6. For him, therefore, I had made a prayer; and between me and him there was a great interval, such that we could not approach one another. 7. Then in that place where Dinocrates was there was a pool full of water, having a rim higher than the boy’s stature; and Dinocrates was stretching himself out as if about to drink.

8. ego dolebam quod et piscina illa aquam habebat et tamen propter altitudinem marginis bibiturus non esset. 9. et experrecta sum, et cognoui fratrem meum laborare. sed fidebam me profuturam labori eius.

8. I was grieving that that pool both had water and yet, on account of the altitude of the margin, he would not be about to drink. 9. And I awoke, and I recognized my brother to be laboring; but I trusted that I would be profitable to his labor.

et orabam pro eo omnibus diebus quousque transiuimus in carcerem castrensem. munere enim castrensi eramus pugnaturi; natale tunc Getae Caesaris. 10. et feci pro illo orationem die et nocte gemens et lacrimans ut mihi donaretur.

and I was praying for him every day until we were transferred into the camp-prison. For at the camp show we were going to fight; it was then the birthday of Geta Caesar. 10. and I made a prayer for him day and night, groaning and weeping, that he might be granted to me.

[8] Die quo in neruo mansimus, ostensum est mihi hoc. uideo locum illum quem retro uideram et Dinocraten mundo corpore bene uestitum refrigerantem; et ubi erat uulnus uideo cicatricem,2 et piscinam illam, quam retro uideram, summisso margine usque ad umbilicum pueri; et aquam de ea trahebat sine cessatione. 3. et super marginem fiala aurea plena aqua.

[8] On the day on which we remained in the stocks, this was shown to me. I see that place which I had previously seen, and Dinocrates, with a clean body, well clothed, refreshing himself; and where the wound had been I see a scar,2 and that pool which I had seen before, with the rim lowered down to the boy’s navel; and he was drawing water from it without ceasing. 3. and upon the rim a golden phial full of water.

et accessit Dinocrates et de ea bibere coepit; quae fiala non deficiebat. 4. et satiatus accessit de aqua ludere more infantium gaudens. et experrecta sum.

And Dinocrates came near and began to drink from it; and the phial was not failing. 4. And, satiated, he went to play with the water in the manner of infants, rejoicing. And I awoke.

tunc intellexi translatum eum esse de poena.

then I understood that he had been translated from punishment.

[9] Deinde post dies paucos Pudens miles optio, praepositus carceris, nos magnificare coepit intellegens magnam uirtutem esse in nobis; qui multos ad nos admittebat ut et nos et illi inuicem refrigeraremus.2. ut autem proximauit dies muneris, intrat ad me pater meus consumptus taedio, et coepit barbam suam euellere et in terram mittere, et prosternere se in faciem, et inproperare annis suis, et dicere tanta uerba quae mouerent uniuersam creaturam. 3. ego dolebam pro infelici senecta eius.

[9] Then, after a few days, Pudens, a soldier, an optio, set over the prison, began to magnify us, understanding that great virtue was in us; he admitted many to us so that both we and they might refresh one another.2. But when the day of the spectacle drew near, my father, consumed with weariness, comes in to me, and began to pluck out his beard and to cast it to the ground, and to prostrate himself on his face, and to reproach his years, and to say such words as would move the whole creation. 3. I was grieving for his unhappy old age.

[10] Pridie quam pugnaremus, uideo in horomate hoc: venisse Pomponium diaconum ad ostium carceris et pulsare uehementer.2. et exiui ad eum et aperui ei; qui erat uestitus discincta candida, habens multiplices galliculas. 3. et dixit mihi: Perpetua, te expectamus; ueni. et tenuit mihi manum et coepimus ire per aspera loca et flexuosa.

[10] The day before we were to fight, I see in a vision this: that Pomponius the deacon had come to the door of the prison and was knocking vehemently.2. And I went out to him and opened to him; he was clothed in an ungirded white garment, having multi‑strapped little shoes. 3. And he said to me: Perpetua, we are expecting you; come. And he held my hand and we began to go through rough and winding places.

4. uix tandem peruenimus anhelantes ad amphitheatrum et induxit me in media arena et dixit mihi: Noli pauere. hic sum tecum et conlaboro tecum. et abiit.

4. with difficulty at last we arrived, panting, at the amphitheater, and he led me into the middle of the arena and said to me: Do not fear. I am here with you and I collaborate with you. And he went away.

5. et aspicio populum ingentem adtonitum; et quia sciebam me ad bestias damnatam esse, mirabar quod non mitterentur mihi bestiae. 6. et exiuit quidam contra me Aegyptius foedus specie cum adiutoribus suis pugnaturus mecum. ueniunt et ad me adolescentes decori, adiutores et fautores mei.

5. and I behold an immense crowd, thunderstruck; and because I knew that I had been condemned to the beasts, I wondered that the beasts were not sent against me. 6. and there came out against me a certain Egyptian, foul in appearance, with his helpers, about to fight with me. There also come to me handsome youths, my helpers and favorers.

7. et expoliata sum et facta sum masculus; et coeperunt me fauisores mei oleo defricare, quomodo solent in agone. et illum contra Aegyptium uideo in afa uolutantem. 8. et exiuit uir quidam mirae magnitudinis ut etiam excederet fastigium amphitheatri, discinctatus, purpuram inter duos clauos per medium pectus habens, et galliculas multiformes ex auro et argento factas, et ferens uirgam quasi lanista, et ramum uiridem in quo erant mala aurea.

7. and I was stripped and I was made a male; and
my favorers began to rub me with oil, as they are accustomed in the agon. and him
I see—the Egyptian—wallowing in the dust. 8. and there came forth a man of wondrous
magnitude, so that he even exceeded the height of the amphitheater, ungirded, having purple
between two clavi down the middle of his chest, and little Gallic shoes of many forms made from gold
and silver, and bearing a rod as if a lanista, and a green branch on which
there were golden apples.

9. et petiit silentium et dixit: Hic Aegyptius, si hanc uicerit, occidet illam gladio; haec, si hunc uicerit, accipiet ramum istum. 10. et recessit. et accessimus ad inuicem et coepimus mittere pugnos.

9. and he asked for silence and said: This Egyptian, if he defeats this woman,
will kill her with the sword; she, if she defeats this man, will receive that branch. 10.
and he withdrew. and we approached one another and began to throw punches.

ille mihi pedes adprehendere uolebat; ego autem illi calcibus faciem caedebam. 11. et sublata sum in aere et coepi eum sic caedere quasi terram non calcans. at ubi uidi moram fieri, iunxi manus ut digitos in digitos mitterem et apprehendi illi caput; et cecidit in faciem et calcaui illi caput.

he wanted to seize my feet; but I, however, was beating his face with my heels. 11. and I was lifted up into the air, and I began to strike him thus as if not treading the earth. but when I saw a delay occurring, I joined my hands so as to put fingers into fingers and apprehended his head; and he fell on his face, and I trampled his head.

12. et coepit populus clamare et fauisores mei psallere. et accessi ad lanistam et accepi ramum. 13. et osculatus est me et dixit mihi: Filia, pax tecum.

12. and the people began to shout, and my supporters to sing psalms. and I approached the lanista and received the branch. 13. and he kissed me and said to me: Daughter, peace be with you.

et coepi ire cum gloria ad portam Sanauiuariam. et experrecta sum. 14. et intellexi me non ad bestias, sed contra diabolum esse pugnaturam; sed sciebam mihi esse uictoriam.

and I began to go with glory to
the Sanavivarian gate. And I awoke. 14. And I understood that I was going not against beasts, but
to fight against the devil; but I knew that the victory was mine.

15. hoc usque in pridie muneris egi; ipsius autem muneris actum, si quis uoluerit, scribat.

15. thus far I have carried it up to the day before the games; but the account of the games themselves, if anyone will, let him write.

[11] Sed et Saturus benedictus hanc uisionem suam edidit, quam ipse conscripsit.2. Passi, inquit, eramus, et exiuimus de carne, et coepimus ferri a quattuor angelis in orientem, quorum manus nos non tangebant. 3. ibamus autem non supini sursum uersi, sed quasi mollem cliuum ascendentes.

[11] But also Blessed Saturus set forth this his vision, which he himself wrote down.2. We had suffered, he says, and we went out from the flesh, and we began to be borne by four angels into the Orient, whose hands were not touching us. 3. We were going, moreover, not supine, turned upward, but as if ascending a gentle slope.

4. et liberato primo mundo uidimus lucem inmensam, et dixi Perpetuae (erat enim haec in latere meo): Hoc est quod nobis Dominus promittebat: percepimus promissionem. 5. et dum gestamur ab ipsis quattuor angelis, factum est nobis spatium grande, quod tale fuit quasi uiridiarium arbores habens rosae et omne genus flores. 6. altitudo arborum erat in modum cypressi, quarum folia cadebant sine cessatione.

4. and, the first world having been set free, we saw an immense light, and I said to Perpetua (for she was at my side): This is what the Lord was promising to us: we have received the promise. 5. and while we are being borne by those same four angels, there came to be for us a great open space, which was such as a viridarium, having rose-trees and every kind of flowers. 6. the height of the trees was in the manner of a cypress, whose leaves were falling without ceasing.

7. ibi autem in uiridiario alii quattuor angeli fuerunt clariores ceteris: qui, ubi uiderunt nos, honorem nobis dederunt, et dixerunt ceteris angelis, Ecce sunt, ecce sunt, cum admiratione. et expauescentes quattuor illi angeli qui gestabant nos, deposuerunt nos. 8. et pedibus nostris transiuimus ad stadium uia lata.

7. there, however, in the green garden were another four angels, brighter than the rest: who,
when they saw us, paid us honor, and said to the other angels, Behold, here they are, behold, here they are, with admiration. and, growing afraid, those four angels who were bearing us set us down. 8. and on our own feet we crossed over to the stadium by a broad way.

9. ibi inuenimus Iocundum et Saturninum et Artaxium, qui eadem persecutione uiui arserunt, et Quintum, qui et ipse martyr in carcere exierat. et quaerebamus de illis, ubi essent. 10. ceteri angeli dixerunt nobis: Venite prius, introite, et salutate Dominum.

9. There we found Jocundum and Saturninum and Artaxium, who in the same persecution burned alive, and Quintum, who himself also, a martyr, had gone forth from prison. And we were asking about them, where they were. 10. The other angels said to us: Come first, enter, and salute the Lord.

[12] Et uenimus prope locum cuius loci parietes tales erant quasi de luce aedificati; et ante ostium loci illius angeli quattuor stabant, qui introeuntes uestierunt stolas candidas.2. et introiuimus, et audiuimus uocem unitam dicentem, agios agios agios, sine cessatione. 3. et uidimus in eodem loco sedentem quasi hominem canum, niueos habentem capillos et uultu iuuenili, cuius pedes non uidimus.

[12] And we came near to a place, whose place’s walls were such as if built of light; and before the ostium of that place four angels were standing, who, upon our entering, vested us with white stoles.2. and we entered, and we heard a united voice saying, agios agios agios, without cessation. 3. and we saw in the same place one sitting, as it were a hoary man, having snowy hair and with a youthful visage, whose feet we did not see.

4. et in dextera et in sinistra seniores quattuor, et post illos ceteri seniores complures stabant. 5. et introeuntes cum admiratione stetimus ante thronum, et quattuor angeli subleuauerunt nos et osculati sumus illum, et de manu suatraiecit nobis in faciem. 6. et ceteri seniores dixerunt nobis: Stemus; et stetimus et pacem fecimus.

4. and on the right and on the left four elders, and behind them many other elders were standing. 5. and entering, with admiration we stood before the throne, and four angels lifted us up and we kissed him, and from his hand he cast upon our face. 6. and the other elders said to us: Let us stand; and we stood and made peace.

et dixerunt nobis seniorex: Ite et ludite. 7. et dixi Perpetuae: Habes quod uis. et dixit mihi: Deo gratias, ut quomodo in carne hilaris fui, hilarior sim et hic modo.

and the elders said to us: Go and play. 7. and I said to Perpetua: You have what you want. And she said to me: Thanks be to God, that just as I was cheerful in the flesh, I may be more cheerful even here now.

[13] Et exiuimus et uidimus ante fores Optatum episcopum ad dexteram et Aspasium presbyterum doctorem ad sinistram separatos et tristes.2. et miserunt se ad pedes nobis et dixerunt: Componite inter nos, quia existis, et sic nos reliquistis. 3. et diximus illis: Non tu es papa noster et tu presbyter, ut uos ad pedes nobis mittatis?

[13] And we went out and saw before the doors Optatus the bishop on the right and Aspasius the presbyter, a doctor (teacher), on the left, separated and sad.2. and they cast themselves at our feet and said: Settle between us, since you have come forth, and thus you have left us. 3. and we said to them: Are not you our papa and you a presbyter, that you should send yourselves to our feet?

et moti sumus et complexi illos sumus. 4. et coepit Perpetua graece cum illis loqui, et segregauimus eos in uiridiarium sub arbore rosae. 5. et dum loquimur cum eis, dixerunt illis angeli: Sinite illos refrigerent; et si quas habetis inter uos dissensiones, dimittite uobis inuicem.

and we were moved and we embraced them. 4. and Perpetua began
to speak in Greek with them, and we separated them into the viridarium under a rose-tree. 5. and as we were speaking with them, the angels said to them: Allow them
to be refreshed; and if you have any dissensions among yourselves, forgive one another.

6. et conturbauerunt eos. et dixerunt Optato: Corrige plebem tuam, quia sic ad te conueniunt quasi de circo redeuntes et de factionibus certantes. 7. et sic nobis uisum est quasi uellent claudere portas.

6. and they disturbed them. and they said to Optatus: Correct your people, because they come together to you as if returning from the circus and contending about factions. 7. and thus it seemed to us as if they wanted to close the gates.

8. et coepimus illic multos fratres cognoscere sed et martyras. uniuersi odore inenarrabili alebamur qui nos satiabat. tunc gaudens experrectus sum.

8. and we began there to recognize many brothers, and also martyrs. we all were nourished by an ineffable odor which satiated us. then, rejoicing, I awoke.

[14] Hae uisiones insigniores ipsorum martyrum beatissimorum Saturi et Perpetuae, quas ipsi conscripserunt.2. Secundulum uero Deus maturiore exitu de saeculo adhuc in carcere euocauit non sine gratia ut bestias lucraretur. 3. gladium tamen etsi non anima certe caro eius agnouit.

[14] These more distinguished visions of the very most blessed martyrs Saturus and Perpetua, which they themselves wrote down.2. Secundulus, indeed, God called out of the world by a more timely departure while still in prison, not without grace, so that he might gain the beasts. 3. The sword, however—if not his soul, surely his flesh—recognized.

[15] Circa Felicitatem uero et illi gratia domini eiusmodi contigit.2. cum octo iam mensium uentrem haberet (nam praegnans fuerat adprehensa), instante spectaculi die in magno erat luctu ne propter uentrem differretur (quia non licet praegnantes poenae repraesentari) et ne inter alios postea sceleratos sanctum et innocentem sanguinem funderet. 3. sed et conmartyres grauiter contristabantur ne tam bonam sociam quasi comitem solam in uia eiusdem spei relinquerent.

[15] Concerning Felicity, moreover, the grace of the Lord of such a sort befell her as well.2. when she already had a belly of eight months (for she had been apprehended pregnant), with the day of the spectacle pressing, she was in great grief lest on account of the belly she be deferred (because it is not permitted that pregnant women be presented to punishment) and lest afterwards among other criminals she pour out holy and innocent blood. 3. But even the co-martyrs were grievously saddened lest they leave so good an associate, as a companion, alone on the way of the same hope.

4. coniuncto itaque unito gemitu ad Dominum orationem fuderunt ante tertium diem muneris. 5. statim post orationem dolores inuaserunt. et cum pro naturali difficultate octaui mensis in partu laborans doleret, ait illi quidam ex ministris cataractariorum: Quae sic modo doles, quid facies obiecta bestiis, quas contempsisti cum sacrificare noluisti?

4. therefore with a conjoined, united groan they poured forth a prayer to the Lord before the third day of the spectacle. 5. immediately after the prayer pains invaded. And when, on account of the natural difficulty of the eighth month, she, laboring in childbirth, was suffering, a certain one of the attendants of the turnkeys said to her: You who are suffering so now, what will you do when thrown to the beasts, whom you have despised when you refused to sacrifice?

6. et illa respondit: Modo ego patior quod patior; illic autem alius erit in me qui patietur pro me, quia et ego pro illo passura sum. 7. ita enixa est puellam, quam sibi quaedam soror in filiam educauit.

6. and she responded: Now I suffer what I suffer; but there, another will be in me who will suffer for me, because I too am about to suffer for him. 7. thus she brought forth a girl, whom for herself a certain sister brought up as a daughter.

[16] Quoniam ergo permisit et permittendo uoluit Spiritus Sanctus ordinem ipsius muneris conscribi, etsi indigni ad supplementum tantae gloriae describendae, tamen quasi mandatum sanctissimae Perpetuae, immo fideicommissum eius exequimur, unum adicientes documentum de ipsius constantia et animi sublimitate.2. cum tribunus castigatius eos castigaret, quia ex admonitionibus hominum uanissimorum uerebatur ne subtraherentur de carcere incantationibus aliquibus magicis, in faciem ei Perpetua respondit: 3 Quid utique non permittis nobis refrigerare noxiis nobilissimis, Caesaris scilicet, et natali eiusdem pugnaturis? aut non tua gloria est, si pinguiores illo producamur?

[16] Since therefore the Holy Spirit has permitted, and by permitting has willed, that the order of this very office be written down, although unworthy for the supplement of describing so great a glory, nevertheless, as if carrying out the mandate of most holy Perpetua—nay, her trust-bequest—we execute it, adding one proof concerning her constancy and loftiness of mind.2. When the tribune was chastising them more strictly, because from the admonitions of most vain men he was afraid lest they be spirited away from prison by some magical incantations, Perpetua answered him to his face: 3 Why indeed do you not permit us—being the most noble condemned, namely Caesar’s, and destined to fight on his birthday—to be refreshed? Or is it not your glory, if we are brought out fatter on that day?

4. horruit et erubuit tribunus; et ita iussit illos humanius haberi ut fratribus eius et ceteris facultas fieret introeundi et refrigerandi cum eis, iam et ipso optione carceris credente.

4. shuddered
and the tribune blushed; and so he ordered that they be treated more humanely so that to her brothers and
the others the opportunity be granted of entering and taking refreshment with them, now even the very optio of
the prison himself believing.

[17] Pridie quoque cum illam cenam ultimam quam liberam uocant, quantum in ipsis erat, non cenam liberam sed agapem cenarent, eadem constantia ad populum uerba iactabant, comminantes iudicium Dei, contestantes passionis suae felicitatem, inridentes concurrentium curiositatem, dicente Saturo:2 Crastinus satis uobis non est? quid libenter uidetis quod odistis? hodie amici, cras inimici.

[17] On the day before as well, when that last supper which they call “free,” as far as was in them, they were dining not a free supper but an agape, with the same constancy they were casting words to the people, threatening the judgment of God, attesting the felicity of their passion, mocking the curiosity of those concurring, Saturus saying:2 Is tomorrow not enough for you? Why do you willingly look upon what you hate? Today friends, tomorrow enemies.

notate tamen uobis facies nostras diligenter, ut recognoscatis nos in die illo. 3. ita omnes inde adtoniti discedebant, ex quibus multi crediderunt.

Nevertheless, note our faces carefully for yourselves, so that you may recognize us on
that day. 3. Thus all from there departed astonished, of whom many
believed.

[18] Illuxit dies uictoriae illorum, et processerunt de carcere in amphitheatrum quasi in caelum hilares, uultu decori, si forte gaudio pauentes non timore.2. sequebatur Perpetua lucido uultu et placido incessu ut matrona Christi, ut Dei delicata, uigore oculorum deiciens omnium conspectum. 3. item Felicitas, saluam se peperisse gaudens ut ad bestias pugnaret, a sanguine ad sanguinem, ab obstetrice ad retiarium, lotura post partum baptismo secundo.

[18] The day of their victory dawned, and they proceeded from the prison into the amphitheater as if into heaven, cheerful, with a decorous countenance, trembling perhaps with joy, not with fear.2. Perpetua followed with a lucid face and a placid gait as a matron of Christ, as God’s delicate one, by the vigor of her eyes casting down the gaze of all. 3. Likewise, Felicity, rejoicing that she had borne safely so that she might fight against the beasts, from blood to blood, from the midwife to the Retiarius, about to wash after childbirth in the second baptism.

4. et cum ducti essent in portam et cogerentur habitum induere, uiri quidem sacerdotum Saturni, feminae uero sacratarum Cereri, generosa illa in finem usque constantia repugnauit. 5. dicebat enim: Ideo ad hoc sponte peruenimus ne libertas nostra obduceretur; ideo animam nostram addiximus, ne tale aliquid faceremus; hoc uobiscum pacti sumus. 6. agnouit iniustitia iustitiam: concessit tribunus.

4. and when they had been led to the gate and were being forced to put on the habit—the men indeed that of the priests of Saturn, but the women that of those consecrated to Ceres—that noble constancy resisted even to the end. 5. for she said: For this reason we have come to this of our own accord, lest our freedom be over-covered; for this reason we have bound over our soul, lest we do such a thing; this we have bargained with you. 6. injustice acknowledged justice: the tribune conceded.

quomodo erant, simpliciter inducerentur. 7. Perpetua psallebat caput iam Aegyptii calcans. Reuocatus et Saturninus et Saturus populo spectanti comminabantur.

as they were, they were led in simply. 7. Perpetua was chanting a psalm, now treading the Egyptian’s head. Revocatus and Saturninus and Saturus were threatening the watching populace.

8. dehinc ut sub conspectu Hilariani peruenerunt, gestu et nutu coeperunt Hilariano dicere: Tu nos, inquiunt, te autem Deus. 9. ad hoc populus exasperatus flagellis eos uexari per ordinem uenatorum postulauit; et utique gratulati sunt quod aliquid et de dominicis passionibus essent consecuti.

8. then, when they had come under the gaze of Hilarianus, by gesture and nod
they began to say to Hilarianus: “You judge us,” they say, “but God [judges] you.” 9. at this the populace
exasperated, demanded that they be harried with scourges by the rank of the venatores; and assuredly
they congratulated themselves that they had also achieved something of the Lord’s passions.

[19] Sed qui dixerat:Petite et accipietis, petentibus dederat eum exitum quem quis desiderauerat. 2. nam, si quando inter se de martyrii sui uoto sermocinabantur, Saturninus quidem omnibus bestiis uelle se obici profitebatur, ut scilicet gloriosiorem gestaret coronam. 3. itaque in commissione spectaculi ipse et Reuocatus leopardum experti etiam super pulpitum ab urso uexati sunt.

[19] But he who had said:Ask and you shall receive, to those asking had given that outcome which each had desired. 2. For, whenever they were conversing among themselves about the vow of their martyrdom, Saturninus indeed professed that he wished himself to be exposed to all the beasts, so that he might bear a more glorious crown. 3. And so, at the commencement of the spectacle, he and Revocatus, having made trial of a leopard, were even upon the stage vexed by a bear.

4. Saturus autem nihil magis quam ursum abominabatur; sed uno morsu leopardi confici se iam praesumebat. 5. itaque cum apro subministraretur, uenator potius qui illum apro subligauerat, subfossus ab eadem bestia post dies muneris obiit; Saturus solummodo tractus est. 6. et cum ad ursurn substrictus esset in ponte, ursus de cauea prodire noluit.

4. But Saturus abominated nothing more than the bear; yet he already presumed that he would be finished off by a single bite of the leopard. 5. And so, when he was being presented to a boar, the hunter, rather, who had tied him to the boar, having been gored by the same beast, died a few days after the spectacle; Saturus was only dragged. 6. And when he had been bound on the bridge for the bear, the bear did not wish to come forth from the cage.

itaque secundo Saturus inlaesus reuocatur.

and so for the second time Saturus, uninjured is called back.

[20] Puellis autem ferocissimam uaccam ideoque praeter consuetudinem conparatam diabolus praeparauit, sexui earum etiam de bestia aemulatus.2. itaque dispoliatae et reticulis indutae producebantur. horruit populus alteram respiciens puellam delicatam, alteram a partu recentem stillantibus mammis.

[20] For the girls, however, the devil prepared a most ferocious cow, and thus contrary to custom, emulating their sex even by means of a beast.2. and so, stripped and clothed with nettings, they were led forth. the crowd shuddered, looking upon the one a delicate girl, the other fresh from childbirth, with dripping breasts.

3. ita reuocatae et discinctis indutae. prior Perpetua iactata est et concidit in lumbos. 4. et ubi sedit, tunicam a latere discissam ad uelamentum femoris reduxit pudoris potius memor quam doloris.

3. thus they were called back and clothed in ungirded tunics. Perpetua first was tossed and fell upon her lower back. 4. and when she sat down, her tunic torn at the side, for a covering of the thigh
she drew back, more mindful of modesty than of pain.

5. dehinc acu requisita et dispersos capillos infibulauit; non enim decebat martyram sparsis capillis pati, ne in sua gloria plangere uideretur. 6. ita surrexit et elisam Felicitatem cum uidisset, accessit et manum ei tradidit et suscitauit illam. et ambae pariter steterunt.

5. thereafter, after asking for a pin, she fastened her disheveled hair; for it was not becoming for a martyr to suffer with hair scattered, lest she seem to be lamenting in her own glory. 6. thus she rose, and when she saw Felicitas dashed down, she approached and gave her hand to her and raised her up. And both stood together.

7. et populi duritia deuicta, reuocatae sunt in portam Sanauiuariam. 8. illic Perpetua a quodam tunc catechumeno Rustico nomine qui ei adhaerebat, suscepta et quasi a somno expergita (adeo in spiritu et in extasi fuerat) circumspicere coepit et stupentibus omnibus ait: Quando, inquit, producimur ad uaccam illam nescioquam? 9. et cum audisset quod iam euenerat, non prius credidit nisi quasdam notas uexationis in corpore et habitu suo recognouisset.

7. and the hardness of the people overcome, they were called back into the Sanavivaria Gate. 8. there Perpetua, taken up by a certain catechumen then, named Rusticus, who was clinging to her, and as if awakened from sleep (to such a degree had she been in the spirit and in ecstasy), began to look around and, while all were astonished, said: 'When,' she said, 'are we being led out to that heifer, I know not which?' 9. and when she heard what had already happened, she did not believe at first, not until she had recognized certain marks of the vexation on her body and in her attire.

10. exinde accersitum fratrem suum et illum catechumenum, adlocuta est dicens: In fide state et inuicem omnes diligite, et passionibus nostris ne scandalizemini.

10. Then, having summoned her brother and that catechumen, she addressed them, saying: Stand firm in the faith and love one another, all of you, and do not be scandalized by our sufferings.

[21] Item Saturus in alia porta Pudentem militem exhortabatur dicens: Ad summam, inquit, certe, sicut praesumpsi et praedixi, nullam usque adhuc bestiam sensi. et nunc de toto corde credas: ecce prodeo illo, et ab uno morsu leopardi consummor.2. et statim in fine spectaculi leopardo obiectus de uno morsu tanto perfusus est sanguine, ut populus revertenti illi secundi baptismatis testimonium reclamauerit: Saluum lotum!

[21] Likewise Saturus at another gate was exhorting Pudens the soldier, saying: To sum up, he said, certainly, just as I have presumed and predicted, I have sensed no beast up to now. And now you should believe with your whole heart: behold, I go forth there, and by one bite of the leopard I am consummated.2. And immediately, at the end of the spectacle, thrown before the leopard, from one bite he was so suffused with blood that the people, to him returning, shouted the testimony of a second baptism: Saved, washed!

saluum lotum! 3. plane utique saluus erat qui hoc modo lauerat. 4. tunc Pudenti militi, [inquit] Vale, inquit, et memento fidei et mei; et haec te non conturbent, sed confirment.

Saved—laved! 3. Plainly indeed he was safe who had laved in this manner. 4. Then to the soldier Pudens, [he says] “Farewell,” he says, “and remember the faith and me; and let these things not perturb you, but confirm you.”

5. simulque ansulam de digito eius petiit, et uulneri suo mersam reddidit ei hereditatem, pignus relinquens illi et memoriam sanguinis. 6. exinde iam exanimis prosternitur cum ceteris ad iugulationem solito loco. 7. et cum populus illos in medio postularet, ut gladio penetranti in eorum corpore oculos suos comites homicidii adiungerent, ultro surrexerunt et se quo uolebat populus transtulerunt, ante iam osculati inuicem, ut martyrium per sollemnia pacis consummarent.

5. and at the same time he asked for the little ring from his finger, and, dipped in his wound, he returned it to him as a legacy, leaving to him a pledge and a memorial of the blood. 6. from there now lifeless he is laid low with the others for slaughter in the usual place. 7. and when the people were demanding them into the middle, so that, as the sword was penetrating their body, they might join their own eyes as companions of the homicide, they rose up of their own accord and transferred themselves where the people wished, having already kissed one another beforehand, so that they might consummate their martyrdom through the solemnities of peace.

8. ceteri quidem inmobiles et cum silentio ferrum receperunt: multo magis Saturus, qui et prior ascenderat, prior reddidit spiritum; nam et Perpetuam sustinebat. 9. Perpetua autem, ut aliquid doloris gustaret, inter ossa conpuncta exululauit, et errantem dexteram tirunculi gladiatoris ipsa in iugulum suum transtulit. 10. fortasse tanta femina aliter non potuisset occidi, quae ab inmundo spiritu timebatur, nisi ipsa uoluisset.

8. The rest indeed, motionless and in silence, received the steel: much more Saturus, who had also ascended first, first gave back his spirit; for he was also supporting Perpetua. 9. But Perpetua, that she might taste something of pain, being struck between the bones, cried out, and she herself guided the erring right hand of the novice gladiator to her throat. 10. Perhaps such a woman could not have been slain otherwise—she who was feared by an unclean spirit—unless she herself had willed it.

11. O fortissimi ac beatissimi martyres! o uere uocati et electi in gloriam domini nostri Iesu Christi! quam qui magnificat et honorificat et adorat, utique et haec non minora ueteribus exempla in aedificationem Ecclesiae legere debet, ut nouae quoque uirtutes unum et eundem semper Spiritum Sanctum usque adhuc operari testificentur, et omnipotentem Deum Patrem et Filium eius Iesum Christum dominum nostrum, cui est claritas et inmensa potestas in saecula saeculorum.

11. O most brave and most blessed martyrs! O truly called and elect into the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ! He who magnifies and honors and adores that glory ought surely also to read these examples, no lesser than the ancient, for the edification of the Church, so that the new virtues likewise may bear witness that one and the same Holy Spirit is working even up to now, and to the omnipotent God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom is glory and immense power unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

This text is taken from The Acts of the Christian Martyrs, ed. H. Musurillo. Oxford 1972. p.106-130.

Italicised words are quotations from Scripture.