Primary source · Latin
The Acts of the Scillitan Martyrs
Official court record (Carthage, 17 July 180) · AD 180
What this text is
The trial transcript of Speratus and eleven companions of Scillium before the proconsul Saturninus — the earliest dated document of Latin Christianity, and the first mention of a Christian owning ‘the books and epistles of Paul.’
Profile of Donata of Scillium →
Interlinear passages
Word-for-word glosses of the original; the complete public-domain translation is linked below.
Chapter 9 — Donata’s reply
HonoremHonourCaesarito CaesarquasiasCaesari;to Caesar;timoremfearautembutDeo.to God
The sentence and the acclamation
HodieTodaymartyresmartyrsinincaelisheavensumus.we are.DeoTo Godgratias.[be] thanks
Public-domain translations
ANF rendering (1885)
Speratus said: ‘I do not recognize the empire of this world… because I know my Lord, the King of kings and Emperor of all nations.’ …And they all said: ‘Thanks be to God. Today we are martyrs in heaven.’
J. Armitage Robinson (1891)
Saturninus the proconsul read out the decree: ‘Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Donata, Vestia, Secunda, and the rest… are to be executed with the sword.’ They all said: ‘Thanks be to God.’
Manuscript witnesses
London, BL Add. 11880
9th c.The oldest and best copy of the terse trial protocol before Saturninus.
Greek version and expanded recensions
medievalLater retellings that confirm the sober original.
Provenance
Carthage, AD 180 — the earliest dated Christian document of Africa
Editions & scholarship
Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.
- The Acts of the Christian MartyrsHerbert Musurillo, 1972Critical text and translation.
- Greek and Latin Narratives about the Ancient Martyrs (OECT)Éric Rebillard, 2017New critical edition of the acta.