The Martyrdom of Polycarp

And in the same way also those who were condemned to the beasts endured terrible torment, being stretched on sharp shells and buffeted with other kinds of various torments, that if it were possible the tyrant might bring them to a denial by continuous torture. For the devil used many wiles against them.

But thanks be to God, for he had no power over[*](Germanicus) any. For the most noble Germanicus encouraged their fears by the endurance which was in him, and he fought gloriously with the wild beasts. For when the Pro-Consul wished to persuade him and bade him have pity on his youth, he violently dragged the beast towards himself, wishing to be released more quickly from their unrighteous and lawless life.

So after this all the crowd, wondering at the nobility of the God-loving and God-fearing people of the Christians, cried out: Away with the Atheists; let Polycarp be searched for.