Preface to Book Five

Soter, bishop of the church of Rome, died after leading it for eight years. Eleutherus, the twelfth from the apostles, succeeded him, in the seventeenth year of the emperor Antoninus Verus. In that year the persecution against us flared up more fiercely in certain parts of the world, through attacks by the populace in the cities; and judging from what happened in a single nation, one may reckon that tens of thousands of martyrs distinguished themselves. These things were handed down in writing to later generations, as truly deserving of unfading memory. [a] The complete text, with the fullest account of these events, we have placed in our Collection of the Martyrs; it gives a narrative that is not only historical but also instructive. Here I will pick out and set down whatever belongs to the present work. [c]

Other writers of history would surely have handed down in writing victories in war and trophies won over enemies, the exploits of generals and the brave deeds of soldiers, stained with blood and with countless slaughters for the sake of children and country and their other possessions. But our account of the commonwealth of God will inscribe on everlasting pillars the most peaceful of wars, fought for the peace of the soul itself, and the men who showed their courage in them for truth rather than for country, and for godliness rather than for those dearest to them. It will proclaim, for everlasting memory, the steadfastness of the athletes of godliness and their much-tried courage, the trophies won over demons, the victories over invisible adversaries, and the crowns awarded for all of this. [d]