Section 384
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 353 worship of the true God, and were not alarmed at the assaults of beasts of prey ; and, indeed, both the governor and those around him were amazed. They were, however, immediately commit ted to prison. Not many days after, two others were added to their number, of whom one had already before sustained the conflict of confession several times, under a variety of dreadful torments ; he was, also, called Agapius, but the other who sup plied them writh the necessaries of life, was named Dionysius. All these, eight in number, were beheaded in one day at Cesarea, on the twenty-third day of the month Dystrus, that is, the ninth of the calends of April. In the mean time, a certain change took place with the emperors, the first and the second in the im perial dignity retiring to private life, and public affairs began to wear a troubled aspect. Shortly after, the Roman empire was divided, and a dreadful civil war arose among the Romans them selves ; nor did the schism cease, nor the consequent commotions become finally settled, before peace was proclaimed toward us throughout the whole Roman world. For as soon as this arose like a light upon all, springing up from the densest and most gloomy night, the government was again restored to firmness, tranquillity, and peace, and they resumed that benevolent disposi tion towards one another, which they had derived from their an cestors. But of these matters we shall give a more full account in its proper place. Now let us pursue the thread of our narrative in due order. CHAPTER IV, Apphianiis. MAXIMINUS CESAR, who was afterwards raised to the govern ment, as if to exhibit the evidences of his innate hatred to God and his aversion to piety, armed himself to persecute with greater violence than those before him. Hence, as there was no little confusion raised among all, some scattered here and others there, and endeavouring by all means to escape the danger; and as 2 Y