They were martyred in Carthage in about the year A.D. 203, together with three others.
The five martyrs were catechumens (young Christians being instructed prior to baptism) when they were arrested during the persecution of Emperor Septimus Severus, but they were baptized before they were led away to prison. Perpetua was a young married woman from a noble family and with an infant son, while Felicity was a slave and eight months pregnant.
Perpetua’s mother and two brothers were Christian, but her father was pagan. When she was arrested, her father tried to get her to deny that she was a Christian in order to save her from execution, but Perpetua refused to deny her Lord. By law, a pregnant woman could not be executed, but Felicity soon gave birth in prison, and she was happy that she could suffer death for Christ with the others.
Three days later, the women and others were led into amphitheatre (modern day picture above) and severely scourged. Then they were tossed about by an exceptionally wild cow, gored, and thrown to the ground. Perpetua encouraged the others and astounded the crowd. Finally, they were put to the sword. Perpetua guided the gladiators sword with her own hand.
An historical account in Perpetua's own hand...
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