Includes bibliographical references and index.

The Maccabean martyrs: witnesses for God before Christ -- Peter and Paul: apostolic proto-martyrs -- Ignatius of Antioch: final journal to Christ -- Polycarp of Smyrna: a gospel passion -- Justin Martyr: apologetics at the ultimate price -- The martyrs of Lyons and Vienne: a crown of many flowers -- The Scillitan martyrs: Africa takes its stand -- Perpetua and Felicity: heroines of faith -- Tertullian: "The blood of Christians is seed" -- Origen of Alexandria: a theology of martyrdom -- The great persecution: the church's hour of fiery testing -- The peace of Constantine: an empire conquered by the cross -- Augustine of Hippo: honoring the martyrs' memory -- Epilogue: The meaning of martyrs.