Trials of Christian Martyrs. Case Study: de Perpetuae et Felicitatis Martyrio
A person who dies for his or her religious faith is called a martyr or a martyr, but the term martyr also applies to those who give their lives for another cause considered noble, such as those who die for their country in time of war. Martyrdom is the suffering, torment, torture or death endured by someone for their ideas or beliefs. The term martyr is also used by extension in other forms, martyr of the fatherland, martyr of labour, to honour particular acts of heroism. The word 'martyr' is originally Greek and designates someone who has witnessed to Christ by his own death. At first, the term martyr was used with reference to the apostles still living, then it was extended to all those who gave a demonstration of faith and finally it was used of those who died as a result of persecution.
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