Grace Lectures
Spring Lecture Announced
Roman, Christian and Female: The Martyrdom of St. Perpetua
Nigel Nicholson, Ph.D.
Walter Mintz Professor of Classics, Reed Colege
Wednesday, March 7, 7 pm
In this lecture we will examine the phenomenon of the female martyr in early Christianity. Perpetua was executed in the arena on March 7, 203 CE in Carthage, and a short account remains of her trial, detention and death, the first part of it deriving from her own words. Carthage (located near modern Tunis) was the second city of the Roman empire , and Perpetua was very much part of the wealthy and educated Roman elite that lived there. But she was also a female and a Christian, and these three identities—Roman, Christian, female—combine in fascinating ways in her words and deeds. We will read parts of her “Life” and discuss the mixture of influences that can be seen there, and use this as a platform to consider the appeal of martyrdom, both to the martyrs and to the faithful that idolized them. Copies of the “Life” will be made available beforehand at Grace or by email request.
The lecture will be held in the Community Hall at Grace Memorial. There is no charge for the lecture, but an RSVP to would be appreciated.
Past Lectures
- "Confusion Will Be My Epitaph: Personal and Communal Disorientation in an Age of Cultural Fragmentation" by Steve Clarke, Flinders University, South Australia
- "Roman Palestine and the World of Jesus" by Nigel Nicholson, Reed College
- "Conversations with the Scriptures and their Architects" by Donn Morgan, Professor of Old Testament, Chruch Divinity School of the Pacific
- "The Books of Daniel" by Nigel Nicholson, Reed College
