St. Artemius

Artemius held a high military command in Egypt under the emperor Constantius. His position placed him within the religious and political conflicts of the fourth century. Butler does not pass over the difficulty of that service: he discusses Artemius’s involvement in measures directed against St. Athanasius and the dangers of serving a court that favoured Arianism.

When Julian became emperor, opponents in Egypt accused Artemius of destroying pagan temples and images. He was summoned to Antioch and condemned to be beheaded. In the edition used here Butler places his execution in 362, while keeping the saint’s commemoration under October 20. The date of remembrance should therefore not be confused with an assertion that the execution occurred on that day.

Butler treats Artemius as a martyr but recognizes that his earlier career requires explanation. That distinction matters in reading his life. The saint’s final witness should not be used to turn every action of a powerful imperial officer into an example of holiness. The surviving account joins a difficult public career to the confession for which Christian tradition honours him.