Their story
Adapted in modern English from Baring-Gould (1897–98) · original text below · little is known
(The surviving account on this page begins partway through the story.)
St. Dionysius tells of women martyred in his day. Ammonarium was tortured at length because she declared she would not say the words in honour of the gods that the judge dictated, and she kept her word. Dionysius says she suffered the worst tortures of all.
With her died the aged Mercuria and Dionysia, a mother of many children who loved the Lord more than them. The governor, ashamed to be defeated by women, had them killed by the sword. Dionysius speaks of four women but names three; the Greeks call the fourth Antha.
Early life
The book says little or nothing about early life. This is how the account begins.
Thin entry · the 1897 book gives only 169 words. We have not filled the gap with invented detail.
La very long time by the judge, because she plainly declared that she would not utter any of the expressions (in honour of the gods) which he dictated; and having made good her promise, she was led away. The others were, the venerable and aged Mercuria; Dionysia, also, who was the mother of many children, but did not love them more than the Lord. These, after the governor became ashamed to torture them to no purpose, and thus to be defeated by women, all died by the sword, without the trial by tortures.