The Death Of Peter And Paul


Eusebius, Hist. Ec., II, 25. (MSG, 20:207.) Cf. Mirbt, n. 33.





For an examination of the merits of Eusebius as a historian, see

McGiffert's edition, PNF, ser. II, vol. I, pp. 45-52; also J. B.

Lightfoot, art. "Eusebius (23) of Caesarea," in DCB.





The works of Caius have been preserved only in fragments; see

Krueger, § 90. If he was a contemporary of Zephyrin
s, he probably

lived during the pontificate of that bishop of Rome, 199-217 A. D.

The Phrygian heresy which Caius combated was Montanism; see below,

§ 25.





Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, was a contemporary of Soter, Bishop

of Rome, 166-174 A. D., whom he mentions in an epistle to the

Roman Church. Of his epistles only fragments have been preserved;

see Krueger, § 55. The following extract from his epistle to the

Roman Church is the earliest explicit statement that Peter and

Paul suffered martyrdom at the same time or that Peter was ever in

Italy. In connection with this extract, that from Clement of Rome

(see § 1, a) should be consulted; also Lactantius, De Mortibus

Persecutorum, ch. 2 (ANF).





It is therefore recorded that Paul was beheaded at Rome itself, and that

Peter was crucified likewise at the same time. This account of Peter and

Paul is confirmed by the fact that their names are preserved in the

cemeteries of that place even to the present time. It is confirmed no less

by a member of the Church, Caius by name, a contemporary of Zephyrinus,

Bishop of Rome. In carrying on a discussion in writing with Proclus, the

leader of the Phrygian heresy, he says as follows concerning the places

where the sacred corpses of the aforesaid Apostles are laid: "But I am

able to show the trophies of the Apostles. For if you will go to the

Vatican or to the Ostian Way, you will find the trophies of those who laid

the foundations of this church." And that they two suffered martyrdom at

the same time is stated by Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, corresponding

with the Romans in writing, in the following words: "You have thus by such

admonition bound together the planting of Peter and Paul at Rome and at

Corinth. For both planted in our Corinth and likewise taught us, and in

like manner in Italy they both taught and suffered martyrdom at the same

time."



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