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At age 22, Perpetua was a noblewoman who lived with her husband, her infant son, and her slave, Felicitas, in Carthage (now modern Tunis in North Africa). Around A.D. 200, North Africa was home to a vibrant Christian community, and Perpetua was a new believer.

Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, however, believed Christianity undermined patriotism to the empire, so he determined to persecute Christians, focusing his attention on North Africa. Among the first to be arrested were five Christians taking classes to prepare for baptism, one of whom was Perpetua.

Her father immediately came to her in prison. As a pagan, he realized there was an easy way for Perpetua to save herself: simply deny she was a Christian.

"Father do you see this vase here?" she replied. "Could it be called by any other name than what it is?"

"No," he replied.

"Well, neither can I be called anything other than what I am, a Christian."

In the next days, Perpetua was moved to a better part of the prison and allowed to breast feed her child. On his next visit, her father pleaded more passionately: "Have pity on my gray head. Have pity on me, your father, if I deserve to be called your father, if I have raised you to reach this prime of your life."

He threw himself down before her and kissed her hands. "Think of your brothers; think of your mother and aunt; think of your child, who will not be able to live once you are gone. Give up your pride!"

Perpetua was deeply touched but remained unshaken. She tried to comfort her father—"It will all happen as God wills, for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves but are all in his power." But he walked out of the prison dejected.

Your baby needs you!
The day of the hearing arrived. Perpetua and her friends were marched before the governor, Hilarianus. Perpetua's friends all admitted to being Christians. They refused to make the required sacrifice (an act of emperor worship). Then the governor turned to question Perpetua.

At that moment, her father, carrying Perpetua's son in his arms, burst into the room. He grabbed Perpetua and pleaded, "Perform the sacrifice. Have pity on your baby!"

Hilarianus, probably wishing to avoid executing a mother still nursing a child, added, "Have pity on your father's gray head; have pity on your infant son. Offer the sacrifice for the welfare of the emperors."

"I will not."

"Are you a Christian, then?" asked the governor.

"Yes, I am," Perpetua replied.

Her father interrupted again, but Hilarianus had heard enough: he ordered soldiers to beat him into silence. He then condemned Perpetua and her friends to die in the arena.

No escape
Perpetua, her friends, and Felicitas (who also had been arrested) were dressed in belted tunics before they entered the stadium. Wild beasts and gladiators roamed the arena floor, and in the stands, crowds roared to see blood.

Immediately a wild heifer charged the group. Perpetua was tossed into the air and onto her back. She sat up, adjusted her ripped tunic, and walked over to help Felicitas. Next a leopard was let loose, and it wasn't long before it attacked and mauled the Christians.

Still, the crowd was impatient, and began screaming for the deaths of the Christians. Perpetua and her friends were lined up, and one by one, slain by a gladiator's sword.

The account of Perpetua's life and death is one of the most complete stories recorded by the early church. While disturbing in many ways, it stands out as a clear picture of a young mother whose love of Christ superseded all other loves.

Adapted from Christian History magazine. To subscribe to Christian History, call 1-800-873-6986.

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