Martyrs of The Coliseum (Harcover, Paperback & eBook)

Uncover the heroic faith and martyrdom of early Christians in the heart of ancient Rome’s Coliseum.

The Martyrs of the Coliseum is a unique and powerful account of the faithful who suffered and triumphed in the great amphitheater of ancient Rome. Unlike works that treat the Coliseum merely as an artistic or pagan monument, this book reveals its sacred character as hallowed ground, sanctified by the blood of countless Christian martyrs.

Drawing deeply from the Acts of the Martyrs and other authentic records, the author presents moving, faith-filled narratives that console, strengthen, and inspire. These testimonies, once scattered across the vast folios of the Bollandists or locked in Latin and Greek texts, are here made accessible to the modern reader. With translations that preserve the spirit of the originals while avoiding the dryness of literal renderings, the work brings to life the extraordinary courage of the men, women, catechumens, and even children who joyfully gave their lives for Christ.

Far more than a historical study, this volume is meant to stir devotion. As Cardinal Wiseman once wrote, to know what the early Christians endured, we must look not to monuments alone but to the immortal witness of their acts and sufferings. The book invites readers to rediscover the “golden legends” of the Coliseum and to rekindle faith through the memory of those who, amid persecution, stood firm with unshakable charity and hope.

For anyone seeking to better understand the spirit of the early Church and to be inspired by the heroic witness of the martyrs, The Martyrs of the Coliseum remains a timeless and rewarding treasure.

Cover: ‘The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer’, Jean-Léon Gérôme. Public domain.

330 pages.

Hardcover Book: US Trade (6 x 9 in / 152 x 229 mm)

Author: Rev. A. J. O'Reilly, D.D.

Year: 1877