ABSTRACT
The martyrs were the first heroes of Christianity, mere mortals, really, but gifted with heroic strength at their final moment of need. This chapter provides the introduction and eyewitness report, perhaps by Tertullian or one of his circle. It describes Vibia Perpetua’s personal narrative of the period in prison before her death and the journal’s central document. The chapter presents the narrative of a fellow prisoner, Saturus, who relates his own vision and gives testimony to Perpetua. It explores the journal with an eyewitness’s conclusion and account of Perpetua’s death and those of her comrades. Perpetua followed with tranquil footsteps like the wife of Christ and beloved of God. Her face was radiant, her shining gaze thwarted the common stares of all the people. Perpetua chanted psalms as if she had already placed her heel on the Egyptian’s head.
