The Martyrdom of Polycarp is a record of the death by fire of the Bishop Polycarp in the arena of the Roman Empire. Written by eyewitnesses to the event (15.1), the letter seeks to demonstrate what true martyrdom looks like (1.1). Behind this reflection and account of martyrdom is a theme of warfare with Satan. The martyrs face the tortures of the Roman arena not as political enemies but as spiritual enemies. The Romans are at best pawns of the kingdom of the world ruled by Satan who seeks to destroy the church through persecution.
Martyrdom is combat directly against Satan who is behind the Roman Empire. In 3.1 the writer says that the “devil did not prevail against any of them” in reference to the martyrs. What the devil had tried, he said, was to destroy their faith through persecution (2.4). This persecution is directly tied to being the persecutions of the Roman state as indicated by the whips that tore their flesh (2.2), death by fire (2.3), and being eaten by wild beasts (2.4). Echoing language in Ignatius and Barnabas, these are the “tortures of this world” that afflict the martyrs. At the same time they seem to be the attacks of Satan. Like Ignatius and Barnabas, the world is under the power of Satan who is seeking to destroy the church.
Another form of combat seems to be post-mortem inspiration by the testimony of the deaths of the martyrs. Not only does the writer see Satan at war with the martyrs while alive but also as being opposed the collection of their relics, indicating a view where Satan warred against the saints even after death by seeking the destruction of their bodies, and the prevention of their relics from inspiring hope in those still alive. (Gokey, 91) The writer states that after his death, the crowd under the influence of Satan attempted to prevent the church from retrieving his bones (17.2) because the devil was jealous that Polycarp had “won the prize” (17.1). What the Christians wanted to be able to do was to use the relics as an example to imitate (17.3), and treated them as precious objects with which they celebrated the “birthday of his martyrdom” (18.3), and those of all others who have “already fought” and for the “training and preparation of those who will do so in the future” (18.3). Like a great soldier, the death of Polycarp was to inspire others to join the fight against Satan in the arena. He had already won his prize and called others to do so as well.
The account contained in the Martyrdom of Polycarp provides insight into the worldview of the early Christians in the context of their own martyrdom. Polycarp was a soldier of Christ. He fought against Rome and, and in so doing, against Satan who was the power behind Rome (3.1). He died in battle and won the prize of victory. He inspired others to carry on the fight and train for their own combat (18.3). Satan fought with persecution and the Saints fought back with faith and endurance.
Sources:
The Martyrdom of Polycarp [Holmes. Apostolic Fathers. 3rd ed.]
Gokey. The Terminology for the Devil and Evil Spirits in the Apostolic Fathers
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