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It would be impossible to describe the outrages and tortures which the
martyrs in Thebais endured. They were scraped over the entire body
with shells instead of hooks until they died. Women were bound by one
foot and raised aloft in the air by machines, and with their bodies
altogether bare and uncovered, presented to all beholders this most
shameful, cruel, and inhuman spectacle. Others being bound to the
branches and trunks of trees perished. For they drew the stoutest
branches together with machines, and bound the limbs of the martyrs to
them; and then, allowing the branches to assume their natural
position, they tore asunder instantly the limbs of those for whom they
contrived this. All these things were done, not for a few days or a
short time, but for a long series of years. Sometimes more than ten,
at other times above twenty were put to death. Again not less than
thirty, then about sixty, and yet again a hundred men with young
children and women, were slain in one day, being condemned to various
and diverse torments.
We, also being on the spot ourselves, have observed large crowds in
one day; some suffering decapitation, others torture by fire; so that
the murderous sword was blunted, and becoming weak, was broken, and
the very executioners grew weary and relieved each other. And we
beheld the most wonderful ardor, and the truly divine energy and zeal
of those who believed in the Christ of God. For as soon as sentence
was pronounced against the first, one after another rushed to the
judgment seat, and confessed themselves Christians. And regarding
with indifference the terrible things and the multiform tortures, they
declared themselves boldly and undauntedly for the religion of the God
of the universe. And they received the final sentence of death with
joy and laughter and cheerfulness; so that they sang and offered up
hymns and thanksgivings to the God of the universe till their very last
breath.
These indeed were wonderful; but yet more wonderful were those who,
being distinguished for wealth, noble birth, and honor, and for
learning and philosophy, held everything secondary to the true religion
and to faith in our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. Such an one was
Philoromus, who held a high office under the imperial government at
Alexandria, and who administered justice every day, attended by a
military guard corresponding to his rank and Roman dignity. Such also
was Phileas, bishop of the church of Thmuis, a man eminent on
account of his patriotism and the services rendered by him to his
country, and also on account of his philosophical learning.
These persons, although a multitude of relatives and other friends
besought them, and many in high position, and even the judge himself
entreated them, that they would have compassion on themselves and show
mercy to their children and wives, yet were not in the least induced by
these things to choose the love of life, and to despise the ordinances
of our Saviour concerning confession and denial. But with manly and
philosophic minds, or rather with pious and God-loving souls, they
persevered against all the threats and insults of the judge; and both
of them were beheaded.
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