POLYCARP (Lat. Polycarpus, from Gk. TIO.karroc, Polykarpos) (c.69-155). Bishop of Smyrna and one of the most celebrated early Christian martyrs. Such meagre information as we have about hi-, life is drawn chiefly from Iremeus. Eusebins. and the anonymous Martyrdom of Polyearp. As a youth lie came in contact ith the Apostle John. and thus he constitutes an important link between him and (q.v.). N\ hen Immtins passed through Asia Minor on his way to death in 1:011H) early in the second century. he visited Polycarp, then already Bishop of Smyrna. and to hint lie afterwards addressed a letter. (See IGNArit's OF ANTIOCH. ) So far as we know, most of Polyearp's life was passed in the peaceful administration of his see. One of his last acts was to visit Anicetus, Bishop of Rome, to confer with him respecting the time of celebrating Easter (q.v.). Soon after his re turn to Smyrna Polycarp was arrested by the officer. of the Roman Government, tried on the charge of being 'a Christian, and condemned to death by burning. Be suffered martyrdom on February 23, 155 (not 166. as was formerly sup posed). at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
and perhaps older. Such was the sanctity of his life and such his heroism in martyrdom, that his: memory and his relies were alway- held in the deepest veneration. Polycarp is said to have written several letters. only one of which, how ever. that to the Philippians. has come down to us. Its authenticity ha been doubted. but on insufficient grounds. The Epistle is extant part ly in the original Greek. and as a whole in a loose Latin translation. The Martyrdom of Pot y carp i- an early document, giving a probably authentic account of his trial and death. Both these works are included among the Apostolic Fathers. and may be read. in English translation, in Harmer's one-volume edition of Lightfoot's Apostolic Fathers ( London. IS981. ('onsult: Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers. part ii.. /pin this and Pol yea r p 12d ed., London, 1889) Cruttwell. Literary If istory of Early ('hristian ity (London, 1893) Funk, Pa fres A postolici I Tfildngen. 1901) : Harnaek, Chronologie (ler elte!ristIiclt-n Litteratur (Leipzig, 1897).