Dymiące stosy i antyczne biografie

Abstract

Polycarp was a 2nd century bishop of Smyrna. According to the “Martyrdom of Polycarp” he died a martyr, burned at the stake. Author says that the fire failed to touch him. In the literary form the “Martyrdom of Polycarp” follow a letter format, but it is also one of the earliest martyr acts. In his description of the death of Polycarp, author follows the way of presenting such events in other ancient authors, as Xenophon (Kyrou paideia) or Callisthenes of Olynthus (Kat’ Alexandrou).