The Martyr of the Catacombs is a story by James De Mille. A young Roman Army officer, Marcellus, is assigned to the Praetorian Guard in this story of Christians during the great persecution times of Rome.

Martyr of the Catacombs tells the story of Christians during the great persecution under the Roman Emperor Decius. Marcellus is a successful, young Roman Army officer, chosen by the Emperor for that highest of advancements, assignment to the Praetorian Guard. Upon his arrival in Rome, he witnesses a spectacle in the Coliseum. A famous gladiator Macer defeats all opponents, but at the end he announces that he will not kill a fellow gladiator because he is a Christian. He declares his faith in Jesus Christ, infuriating the mob, and allows his defeated opponent to slay him. As Marcellus ponders...