S. E. Assemani, who is well known to students of Syriac and Eastern Christian literature, here presents a large number of Syriac texts of martyrdoms from both the east and west, together with Latin translations. Volume one contains texts on martyrs from outside the Roman empire in Iraq and Persia, and volume two has texts dealing with martyrs under various Roman emperors. Each text has a brief introduction, parallel Latin translation, and historical and literary notes. An index at the end of each volume makes it easy for readers to find passages of interest. An appendix to the second volume contains texts dealing with the Simon the Stylite. These two volumes make up a significant source for the history of Christianity both within and beyond the Roman empire in late antiquity.
