Martyrdom of Basilides, as reported in Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica 6.5.5

Martyrdom of Basilides, as reported in Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica 6.5.5

Martyrdom c. 205 CE.

Source: Eusebius Pamphili of Caesarea. 2005. Ecclesiastical History, Books 6–10 (The Fathers of the Church, Volume 29), p.14. Translated by Roy J. Deferrari. Reprint (1955). CUA Press.

After no long time had passed, Basilides for some reason was asked by the soldiers to swear, and he strongly maintained that it was not at all possible for him to swear, for he was a Christian and he openly confessed this. At first for a time he was thought to be joking, but, when he steadfastly held to it, he was led away to the judge. When he confessed in his presence to his opposition [to the oath], he was committed to prison.