Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the works of the Apostolic Fathers, and as such is one of the very few writings from the actual age of the persecutions. Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna around the years AD 155-160 (possibly AD 170-180). The letter as a whole takes influence from both Jewish martyrdom texts in the Old Testament and the Gospels. Furthermore, the Martyrdom of Polycarp promotes an ideology of martyrdom, by delineating the proper conduct of a martyr.