Blood of the Martyrs: How the Slaves in Rome Found Victory in Christ (Christian Epics) [Paperback]

Naomi Mitchison (Author), James S. Bell (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994 | Series: Christian Epics

A new addition to the popular Christian Epics series. In a society where worshiping God is a crime punishable by death, and brutality to slaves is commonplace, Roman citizens Flavius Crispus and his son Beric struggle to become Christians and to treat their slaves as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Moody Pr (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802471072
• ISBN-13: 978-0802471079
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,355,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They weren't victims - they were victors, April 25, 2001

By 

L. Smith "chocoholic" (Spartanburg, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood of the Martyrs: How the Slaves in Rome Found Victory in Christ (Christian Epics) (Paperback)

The focus of this novel is a Christian church in Rome during the time of Nero. Most of the members are slaves, the others are poor, though free. Part one gives us the background of some of the church members: where they came from, how they got to Rome (if not born there), and how they became a Christian. The second part deals with the fire and the beginning of the persecution of the Christians, who were blamed with starting it. The last part details how individuals responded to the persecution. Among the Christians, there is heroism and cowardice - mostly the former. Among the non-Christians, there are those who become Christians because of the witness of those killed for an IDEA.

Although Paul, Luke, Nero, Claudia Acte and other well-known historical people appear in this book, the main characters have humbler backgrounds. With one exception - Beric, son of a British king and adopted by Roman Senator Flavius Crispus. However, he was subject to humiliation like the others which opened the door to his salvation. Manasses, Lalage, Euphemia, Phaon, Persis, Niger, Eunice and the others showed the roots of the Church: the poor, the outcasts, the uneducated. This novel allows us to see underneath: they were individuals with different strengths and weaknesses, personalities and talents.

It was refreshing to read a novel set in ancient Rome that focused on the lower classes. Life was hard, perhaps unbearable, but these people had the Kingdom to look forward to. Far from being victims, or seeing themselves as victims, they were victorious in Christ. Forgiving those who hated and/or persecuted them was not always easy, but gave them a freedom and a joy that others could not know or understand.