E07491: The Latin Martyrdom of *Maxima, Donatilla and Secunda (virgins and martyrs of Thuburbo, Africa Proconsularis, S01812) recounts how three young girls refused the order to sacrifice, were exposed to the beasts (in vain), and eventually beheaded. Written presumably in Africa, probably in the 4th or 5th c.
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posted on 2019-03-29, 00:00 authored by sadamiakThe martyrdom of Maxima, Donatilla and Secunda
1. The proconsul of Africa, Anulinus, following the orders of the emperors Maximian and Gallienus [sic!], rounds up the Christians of Possesio Cephalitana [in the territory of Thuburbo Maius] and commands them to sacrifice to the idols, which the majority, including the presbyters and deacons, duly do.
2. Two beautiful young virgins defy the orders. The first of them, fourteen-year-old Maxima, is interrogated by Anulinus.
3. Anulinus interrogates Donatilla, the sister of Maxima. He orders both of them to be deported to Thuburbo and to be given only gall and vinegar.
4. Twelve-year-old Secunda, seeing Donatilla and Maxima, jumps off the balcony of her parents‘ house to join them. Donatilla and Maxima start by discouraging her, reminding her that she is the only child of her parents, but they eventually accept her.
5. Anulinus again orders Donatilla and Maxima to sacrifice, and when they decline, he has them lashed. Then he gives them 'tatiba' to drink and sprinkles burning coals on their heads.
6. Anulinus brings the three girls to the amphitheatre and gives them over to a ferocious bear which has not eaten for two or three days.
Qui antequam ad Maximam sanctam properaret, coepit Donatilla ipsi dicere: ‘Fac quod tibi praeceptum est; noli timere.’ Statimque ursus vocem dedit et Maxima vocem eius intellexit; et pedes eius bestia linxit et virgines Dei illaesas dimisit.
‘Before it had approached the holy Maxima, Donatilla began to say to it, “Do what was commanded of you, don’t be afraid.“ And immediately the bear roared and Maxima understood its roar; and the beast licked her feet and sent the virgins of God away unharmed‘.
So Anulinus orders them to be beheaded. Their bodies were buried in the amphitheatre in the place reserved for the bodies of the executed.
Text: P. Franchi de' Cavalieri. Summary and translation: Stanisław Adamiak
1. The proconsul of Africa, Anulinus, following the orders of the emperors Maximian and Gallienus [sic!], rounds up the Christians of Possesio Cephalitana [in the territory of Thuburbo Maius] and commands them to sacrifice to the idols, which the majority, including the presbyters and deacons, duly do.
2. Two beautiful young virgins defy the orders. The first of them, fourteen-year-old Maxima, is interrogated by Anulinus.
3. Anulinus interrogates Donatilla, the sister of Maxima. He orders both of them to be deported to Thuburbo and to be given only gall and vinegar.
4. Twelve-year-old Secunda, seeing Donatilla and Maxima, jumps off the balcony of her parents‘ house to join them. Donatilla and Maxima start by discouraging her, reminding her that she is the only child of her parents, but they eventually accept her.
5. Anulinus again orders Donatilla and Maxima to sacrifice, and when they decline, he has them lashed. Then he gives them 'tatiba' to drink and sprinkles burning coals on their heads.
6. Anulinus brings the three girls to the amphitheatre and gives them over to a ferocious bear which has not eaten for two or three days.
Qui antequam ad Maximam sanctam properaret, coepit Donatilla ipsi dicere: ‘Fac quod tibi praeceptum est; noli timere.’ Statimque ursus vocem dedit et Maxima vocem eius intellexit; et pedes eius bestia linxit et virgines Dei illaesas dimisit.
‘Before it had approached the holy Maxima, Donatilla began to say to it, “Do what was commanded of you, don’t be afraid.“ And immediately the bear roared and Maxima understood its roar; and the beast licked her feet and sent the virgins of God away unharmed‘.
So Anulinus orders them to be beheaded. Their bodies were buried in the amphitheatre in the place reserved for the bodies of the executed.
Text: P. Franchi de' Cavalieri. Summary and translation: Stanisław Adamiak
History
Evidence ID
E07491Saint Name
Maxima, Donatilla and Secunda (virgins and martyrs of Thuburbo, ob c. 304) : S01812Saint Name in Source
Maxima; Secunda; DonatillaType of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Latin
