A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Perpetua, (Vivia)
PERPETUA (VIVIA), a Martyr, under the Persecution of Severus, in 203 or 205.
A lady of quality, at Carthage, who at the time she was accused, was about twenty-two years of age; married, and had an infant son, which she nursed herself. Her father, a pagan, but full of affection for his favourite offspring, importuned her to turn from the Christian faith; and her constancy appeared to him an absurd obstinacy. For a few days, while she and other catechumens (among whom was Felicitas, a slave) were under guard, but not confined in the prison, they found means to be baptized, and Perpetua's prayers were directed particularly for patience under bodily pain. They were then put into a dark prison. To the rest, more accustomed to hardships, this change of scene had nothing in it so terrible. To her, who had known nothing but the delicacies of genteel life, it was peculiarly irksome, and her concern for her infant was extreme. Two deacons of the church obtained, by money, leave for them to be refreshed by going for some hours into a more commodious place, where Perpetua gave the breast to her infant, and then recommended him carefully to her mother. For some time her mind was unhappy for the distress she had brought on her family, but in time her spirit was more composed. Her father, some time after, came to the prison overwhelmed with grief, which, in all probability, was augmented by the reflections he made on his passionate behaviour at the last interview. "Have pity, my daughter," said he, "on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I was ever worthy of that name; if I myself have brought you up to this age, if I have preferred you to all your brethren, make me not a reproach of mankind, respect your father and your aunt," (these, it seems, were pagans, while the mother and the rest of the family were christians, since it is said he was the only one of them who resisted her martyrdom); "have compassion on your son, who cannot survive you; lay aside your obstinacy, lest you destroy us all; for if you perish, we must all of us mourn in disgrace." The old gentleman, with much tenderness, kissed her hands, threw himself at her feet, weeping and calling her no longer his daughter, but his sovereign. Perpetua could only intreat him to acquiesce in the divine disposal, since she could neither bring herself to commit impiety by sacrificing to false gods, nor to execrate that holy name in which she hoped for salvation; and which alone was competent to save even the parent, whose heart was now so averse.
The next day they were all brought before a crouded court, and examined; her father came there with his little grandson, and taking Perpetua aside, conjured her to have some pity on her child. The procurator joined in the suit, but in vain. The old man then attempting to draw his daughter from the scaffold, the procurator ordered him to be beaten, and a blow, which he received with a staff, was felt by Perpetua very severely. They were then sentenced to be exposed to wild beasts, and returned cheerfully to prison. Perpetua sent to her father for her child, which he refused to return.
Felicitas, who was with child, and feared her execution would be deferred, was now delivered. One of the door-keepers, who perhaps expected to have found in her a stoical insensibility, and heard her cries, said "do you complain of this? what will you do when you are exposed to the beasts?" Felicitas answered, with a sagacity truly christian, "it is I that suffer now; but then there will be another with me, because I shall suffer for his sake." Her new-born daughter was delivered to a christian, who nursed it as her own.
The tribune, believing a report that they would free themselves by magical practices, treated them roughly. "Why don't you," said Perpetua, "give us some relief? will it not be for your honour that we should appear well fed at the spectacles?" This address had a very happy effect. The day before the show they ate in public, their friends were allowed to visit them, and the keeper of the prison by this time was converted to the faith; they talked to the people, warned them to flee from the wrath to come, and smiled at the curiosity of those who ran to see them.
On the day of trial, joy, rather than fear, was in their looks. Perpetua went on with a composed countenance and easy pace, holding down her eyes, lest the spectators might draw wrong conclusions from their vivacity. Some idolatrous habits were offered them. "We sacrifice our lives," said they, "to avoid this, and thus we have bargained with you." The tribune desisted from his demand. After being scourged, Perpetua and Felicitas, were put into the nets, and exposed to a wild cow. The beauty of the one and weak state of the latter, excited some compassion in the spectators; they drew them back and covered them with loose garments. Perpetua was first attacked; but though she did not faint, her terror had rendered her insensible of what had passed, till she saw on her body and clothes the marks of her sufferings. She caused her brother to be called, and addressing herself to him and another christian, she said, "continue firm in the faith, love one another, and be not offended at our sufferings."
The people insisted on having the martyrs brought into the midst of the amphitheatre, that they might have the pleasure of seeing them die. Perpetua fell into the hands of an unskilful gladiator, but she guided his trembling hand to her throat.