Blandina (d. 177)

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Blandina (d. 177)

Christian martyr and saint. Tortured in the amphitheater at Lyons in 177.

A female slave during the persecution of Christians, who was brought into the amphitheater at Lyons to be put to death (177); along with Biblis, Pothinus, Maturus, Sanctus, Ponticus, Attalus, and other martyrs, was hung by her arms to a post, then animals were let into the arena; amazingly, along with Ponticus, went untouched by animals; was subjected to even more horrors on last day of spectacle, but pagans swore they had never seen a woman suffer with such courage. Feast day is June 2.

See also Women in World History.

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