f the city--a magistrate from
whom there was no appeal except to the prince himself, or, as this
_Apologia_ would suggest, to the senate.

The two _Apologies_ contain the most vehement invectives against the
whole system of heathen idolatry, and accuse Jupiter and the other gods
whom the Romans revered of ineffable vices.

Of course the man who could thus tell the Roman senate and people that
all that they held sacred was unspeakably and hideously wicked could
expect but one fate. Justin threw down the gauntlet, and the constituted
authorities very quietly took it up, with a result which, as the human
power was all with them, it was not difficult to foresee.

Some time in the reign of Aurelius, but in what year is not known,
Justin and several other Christians were accused before Rusticus,
prefect of Rome, of disobedience to certain decrees then in force, by
which Christians who refused to sacrifice to the gods were liable to be
put to death. It is difficult to reconcile the passing of these decrees
with the known character of Aurelius, who is universally described as a
humane, as a benevolent king. The probable explanation is that, like his
predecessor Trajan, he was actuated by motives of state policy, and
regarded Christianity as rebellion against the authority of the State.

Eusebius has given an account of the martyrdom of Justin upon the
authority of Tatian, who was a disciple of the martyr. This account
substantially agrees with the very ancient _Martyrdom of Justin_, which
concludes thus:

"The prefect says to Justin: 'Hearken, you who are called learned and
think that you know true doctrines: if you are scourged and beheaded, do
you believe that you will ascend into heaven?'

"Justin said, 'I hope that if I endure these things I shall have this
gift, for I know that to all who have thus lived there abides the divine
favor until the completion of the world.'

"Rusticus, the prefect, said, 'Do you suppose that you will ascend into
heaven to receive such a recompense?' Justin said, 'I do not suppose it,
but I know and am fully persuaded of it.'

"Thus also said the other Christians, 'Do what you will, for we are
Christians and do not sacrifice to idols.'

"Rusticus, the prefect, pronounced sentence, saying, 'Let those who have
refused to sacrifice to the gods and to yield to the command of the
Emperor be scourged and led away to suffer decapitation according to the
law.'

"The holy martyrs, having glor