In The Blood of Martyrs - which, as Tertullian wrote, is 'the seed of Christians' - Joyce Salisbury chronicles the many spectacles of violent martyrdom that took place during the first three centuries of the Christian era, describing the role of martyrdom in the development of the early Church, as well as its continuing influence on many of today's ideas. The very public display of ancient violence, horrifically entertaining to Roman pagans, was deeply influential on early Christianity. Blood-rites and sacrifice allowed Christians to connect elements of ancient religions with the metaphysical...