Alexander of Phrygia, First Dreadfully Tortured

The ancient writers also mention a certain pious man named Alexander, a physician, and a native of Phrygia, who was put to death on the same day and in the same place when and where the above-mentioned Attalus laid down his life. Concerning the cause of his imprisonment and death, it is stated that when Attalus and other Christians were being examined, this Alexander of Phrygia stood near the judgment seat, and by motions and signs greatly strengthened and encouraged the Christians who were making their defense and confession before the judge, so that they should remain steadfast in the truth they had once received. When the people standing around murmured at this, he was arrested, and, being questioned about his views, he answered: "I am a Christian," and made the same confession that Attalus and the others who had been arrested and were standing before the tribunal had made. He was therefore immediately sentenced to the amphitheater, there, together with others, to be at once torn or devoured by the beasts. There he was then taken, but the execution was put off until the following day. The next day he was brought out to fight with the beasts; however, he was first exceedingly tortured with all sorts of executioner's instruments. In this he bore himself with such courage that he was not once heard to sigh, or to utter the least word of complaint; indeed, he was not seen to show a single sign of distress or pain; only that he spoke to God in his heart. Finally, instead of fighting with the wild beasts, he was executed with the sword, and so sealed with his blood the truth of the Son of God, which he had maintained. Compare with the authors cited above concerning the death of Attalus, Abr. Mellin., 1st book, folio 43, column 4, and folio 44, column 1. [n159-1]