For over two hundred and fifty years, Christians endured Roman persecution. At that time, an unknown number of people were imprisoned, tortured, and executed, all in the name of social stability. Although their voices were brutally silenced in life, through death, their message of Hope echoes loudly across the ages.
History
In the ancient city of Smyrna lived a young man who found himself swept up by one of the rolling waves of persecution. His name was Germanicus – this is the story of his death.
Germanicus was likely born sometime between the years 130 and 149 CE. Nothing is known about his childhood, family lineage, work, or life. We don’t know how he was captured or when he became a Christian. However, much like the blood of Able [1], the blood Germanicus poured out onto the ground still speaks to this day.
Everything we know about the young Christian comes from a book called The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Although the work is predominantly about the death of the bishop of Smyrna, the writer dedicates a few words to the story of Germanicus.
According to the author, Germanicus died in the Smyrna Coliseum shortly before Polycarp was captured. Consequently, we can conclude that he was likely killed sometime between 150 and 168 CE. The ambiguity in the dates comes from a disagreement over Polycarp’s death. The Martyrdom of Polycarp suggests he was killed around the year 155 CE when Antoninus Pius ruled Rome. However, the early church historian Eusebius says it happened around 167 under the rule of Marcus Aurelius. Despite this disagreement, most modern historians consider 155 to be the most accurate date.
The Martyrdom of Germanicus
After being captured, Germanicus was taken to the Colosseum and brought before the proconsul[2]. Who, after threatening him with a variety of horrors, offered the young man a means of escape. In exchange for disowning Christ, the proconsul was willing to give him a full pardon. In response, Germanicus hurled himself into the jaws of the wild beasts and fought with them courageously.
His actions stunned the bloodthirsty crowd, who did not understand his motivations or the source of his bravery. However, to those Christians who witnessed these events, his sacrifice was not confusing. Germanicus simply understood the situation and desired “to be the sooner freed from their unjust and lawless life.” His charge into the cold embrace of death brought courage to the others in his company, who were about to face the same dilemma.
Germanicus In “The Martyrdom of Polycarp”
The following quote comes from The Martyrdom of Polycarp.
“For the devil contrived many things against them, but thanks be unto God, for he prevailed not against all. For the most noble Germanicus strengthened their cowardice through the patience that was in him, who also in a notable way fought against wild beasts. For when the proconsul would have persuaded him, charging him to have compassion on his youth, he drew upon himself the wild beast by force, wishing to be the sooner freed from their unjust and lawless life. From this, therefore, all the multitude, wondering at the nobleness of the God-loving and God-fearing race of Christians, called out, Away with the Atheists; let Polycarp be sought for.”
Declared A Saint
After his death, his fearlessness and devotion lived on in the minds of Christians all over the ancient world. His legend became so dear to believers in Asia Minor that a Smyrna bishop declared him a saint. Today his feast day is celebrated on January 19th.
To those who witnessed the evils of persecution, the death of Germanicus became a shining example that they could follow through the chaos of that age.
Thanks for reading. Stay Awesome!
Sources
- The blood of Able – Hebrews 11:4
- Proconsul- “in the ancient Roman Republic, a consul whose powers had been extended for a definite period after his regular term of one year.” Britannica
Thank you for sharing this brave faith story — it will be quite awesome to meet Germanicus in the heavenly Kingdom. Woe to those who persecute the Lord’s beloved ones.
Agreed! it will be amazing to meet people like him one day!