Primary source · Latin

The Acts of Crispina

Proconsular court record · 5 December AD 304, Theveste

What this text is

The authentic protocol of a Numidian noblewoman before the proconsul Anullinus — terse questions, unshakable answers — praised and preached on by Augustine a century later.

Public-domain translations

E. C. E. Owen (1927)

Anullinus said: 'Do you know at least what is commanded by the sacred decree?' Crispina said: 'I do not know what has been decreed.' Anullinus: 'That you sacrifice to all our gods for the welfare of the emperors.' Crispina: 'I have never sacrificed, and I will not — save to the one true God and to our Lord Jesus Christ, his Son.'

Manuscript witnesses

African passionary tradition

9th c. onward

The sober protocol core, already cited by Augustine in his sermons on her feast.

SURVIVING WITNESSES

Ruinart, Acta sincera

1689

Classic printing.

PRINTED PROXY

Provenance

Theveste, Africa, AD 304 — a mother of Thagora before Anullinus

Editions & scholarship

Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.

Figures named in this text (2)