The Martyrdom of Polycarp– a Review

Clayton Croy, The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Translation, Introduction, and Commentary, (Leiden/Boston: E.J. Brill, 2026), 394 pages. Of late, Izmir (=ancient Smyrna) has become a beehive of activity about early Christianity. The excavations at the ancient harbor area, have produced walls with interesting graffiti of ships, and fish symbols, leading to speculation that possibly early Christians in Smyrna. (see Rev. 2-3) were signaling to Christ followers coming to town where they might begin to find their fellow believers. Then there is the evidence, that Smyrna had become a meeting place of important early Christian leaders including, but not limited to, Polycarp, Papias, John the Elder, Aristion, and others. Most recently, through the generosity of Levent Oral and Tutku tours, a historical exhibit about Polycarp, an early Christian martyr, has been constructed on a hill across from the entrance to the ancient acropolis. There is in addition, mounting evidence that Smyrna became a place where early Christian documents of the first century were being copied and sent out, not least of which is the one genuine letter we have by Polycarp to the Philippians, which mentions or alludes to so...