Saint Sebastian, Martyr

Sebastian was a martyr of Rome, buried on the Appian Way, where a basilica bears his name; his cult is attested from the 4th century, and Ambrose says he was from Milan. Almost everything else comes from a 5th-century Passion. According to it, he was an officer of the imperial guard under Diocletian who secretly strengthened imprisoned Christians.

When his faith was discovered, he was tied to a stake and shot with arrows and left for dead. A widow named Irene, coming to bury him, found him alive and nursed him back to health. He then confronted the emperor again and was beaten to death, about 288. The image of the young man pierced by arrows became one of the most painted subjects of European art.