Perpetua's Account: Arrest and First Vision

1 "While," she says, "we were still under guard, and my father, out of his affection for me, kept trying to turn me away and shake me from the faith — 'Father,' said I, 'do you see, let us say, this vessel lying here — is it a pitcher, or something else?' And he said, 'I see it to be so.' And I replied to him, 'Can it be called by any other name than what it is?' And he said, 'No.' 'Neither can I call myself anything other than what I am, a Christian.' Then my father, provoked at this answer, threw himself upon me as if he would tear my eyes out. But he only upset me, and went away overcome by the devil's arguments. Then, after I had been without my father for a few days, I gave thanks to the Lord; and his absence became a source of comfort to me. In that same interval of a few days we were baptized, and the Spirit directed me that in the water of baptism nothing else was to be sought except bodily endurance. After a few days we were taken into the dungeon, and I was terrified, because I had never experienced such darkness. What a dreadful day! The fierce heat, the packed crowds, the rough treatment from the soldiers! I was especially distressed by my anxiety for my infant. Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who ministered to us, were present there and had arranged through a payment that we might be sent out for a few hours to a more comfortable part of the prison. Then going out of the dungeon, everyone attended to their own needs. I nursed my child, who was now weakened with hunger. In my anxiety for him, I spoke to my mother and comforted my brother, and entrusted my son to their care. I was wasting away because I had seen them wasting away on my account. I endured such worry for many days, until I obtained permission for my infant to stay in the dungeon with me; and immediately I grew strong and was relieved from distress and anxiety about my infant; and the dungeon became to me like a palace, so that I preferred being there to being anywhere else." 2 "Then my brother said to me, 'My dear sister, you are already in a position of great honor, and you may ask for a vision, so that it may be revealed to you whether this will result in martyrdom or release.' And I, who knew that I was privileged to speak with the Lord, whose kindnesses I had found to be so great, boldly promised him, and said, 'Tomorrow I will tell you.' And I asked, and this was what was shown to me. I saw a golden ladder of marvelous height, reaching up to heaven, and very narrow, so that only one person could climb it at a time; and on the sides of the ladder was fixed every kind of iron weapon. There were swords, lances, hooks, and daggers; so that if anyone went up carelessly, or without looking upward, he would be torn to pieces and his flesh would cling to the iron weapons. And beneath the ladder itself crouched a dragon of enormous size, who lay in wait for those who climbed and frightened them from the ascent. Saturus went up first — he who had later given himself up voluntarily on our account, not having been present at the time we were arrested. He reached the top of the ladder, and turned toward me, and said, 'Perpetua, I am waiting for you; but be careful that the dragon does not bite you.' And I said, 'In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, he shall not hurt me.' And from beneath the ladder itself, as if afraid of me, the dragon slowly lifted up his head; and as I stepped on the first rung, I stepped on his head. And I went up, and I saw a vast garden, and in the middle of it a white-haired man sitting in the clothing of a shepherd, tall in stature, milking sheep; and standing around him were many thousands dressed in white robes.⁠a He raised his head, and looked at me, and said, 'You are welcome, daughter.' And he called me over, and from the cheese he was making he gave me what seemed like a small cake, and I received it with folded hands; and I ate it, and all who stood around said 'Amen.' At the sound of their voices I woke up, still tasting a sweetness I cannot describe. I immediately told this to my brother, and we understood that it meant martyrdom, and from then on we ceased to have any hope in this world."