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ABOUT the same time, in the reign of Commodus, our condition
became more favorable, and through the grace of God the churches
throughout the entire world enjoyed peace, and the word of salvation
was leading every soul, from every race of man to the devout worship of
the God of the universe. So that now at Rome many who were highly
distinguished for wealth and family turned with all their household and
relatives unto their salvation. t But the demon who hates what is
good, being malignant in his nature, could not endure this, but
prepared himself again for conflict, contriving many devices against
us. And he brought to the judgment seat Apollonius, of the city of
Rome, a man renowned among the faithful for learning and philosophy,
having stirred up one of his servants, who was well fitted for such a
purpose, to accuse him. But this wretched man made the charge
unseasonably, because by a royal decreeit was unlawful that informers
of such things should live. And his legs were broken immediately,
Perennius the judge having pronounced this sentence upon him. But the
martyr, highly beloved of God, being ear nestly entreated and
requested by the judge to give an account of himself before the
Senate, made in the presence of all an eloquent defense of the faith
for which he was witnessing. And as if by decree of the Senate he was
put to death by decapitation; an ancient law requiring that those who
were brought to the judgment seat and refused to recant should not be
liberated, Whoever desires to know his arguments before the judge and
his answers to the questions of Perennius, and his entire defense
before the Senate will find them in the records of the ancient
martyrdoms which we have collected.
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