Augustine on St Crispina : comparing Augustine’s image of the Saint with Her Acta

Abstract

Martyrs are discussed by Augustine of Hippo in a good number of his many texts which have survived. In most cases he speaks of males, but occasionally he also presents females as models, amongst whom there is mention of an early fourth century North African martyr named Crispina. Augustine speaks of her twice in his Exposition on the Psalms. Crispina, however, is not known only thanks to Augustine, but also thanks to a version of the acts of her martyrdom that has also been conserved. The information given in these two sources is, nonetheless, largely dissimilar, proving that Augustine was aware of a completely different tradition concerning this martyr. This study seeks to compare and contrast these sources, pointing out and explaining, where possible, the major differences.