Madauran Martyrs

SECOND CENTURY. First reputed martyrs in Africa. Their names are given as Namphano, Miggin, Lucitas, and Sammae, all of which are Punic names. They are said to have suffered at Madaura in Numidia in 180. The record of them comes from the writings of Maximus of Madaura, a pagan grammarian of the late fourth century, who vigorously protested against the popular practice of visiting the tombs of such uncultured barbarians, deserting the pagan cults for the new religion. It has been argued by some scholars (e.g., J.H. Baxter) that the evidence for the martyrs is very uncertain.