PART III

THE GREAT NUMBERS OF MARTYRS IN THE FIRST TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS

INTRODUCTORY

Christian tradition by no means exaggerates the number of martyrs--the contrary, indeed, is the case--In the first two hundred and fifty years the general tone of the early Christian writings (above quoted) dwells on those blood-stained days--But the great pagan authors of the second century, Tacitus and Pliny, are the most definite on the question of the vast number of martyrs--Here is cited a new piece of evidence concerning these great numbers from notices in the “Pilgrim Itineraries” or “Guides” to the catacombs of the sixth and following centuries--These tell us what the pilgrims visited--The vast numbers of martyrs in the different cemeteries again and again are dwelt upon 207

I

List of the various cemeteries and their locality, with special notice of numbers of martyrs buried in each 210

II

SPECIAL REFERENCE IN THE “MONZA” PAPYRUS, ETC.

The “Monza” Catalogue--made for Queen Theodolinda by Gregory the Great, with notices of number of martyrs from the catalogue in question--Inscriptions of Pope Damasus--References by the poet Prudentius on the number of martyrs 214

III

DEDUCTIONS FROM THE “MONZA” CATALOGUE AND “PILGRIM” GUIDES

General summary, allowing for some exaggeration in the “Pilgrim” Guides and in the “Monza” Catalogue, on the great numbers of these confessors and martyrs 215