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Our next show is Agnes, a time travel revenge story. But who is Agnes of Rome?
A 12 year old killed for rejecting the advances of grown men. Some say miracles were performed before her death. Some say this makes her a saint.
Here's how her story plays out 🧵
#history #thread
A 12 year old killed for rejecting the advances of grown men. Some say miracles were performed before her death. Some say this makes her a saint.
Here's how her story plays out 🧵
#history #thread
Born in 291 AD to a nobel Roman family, Agnes would have had a fairly cushy start to life compared to other #Roman citizens. But she was a Christian when this was banned under Roman Emperor Diocletian.
By the age of 12 many grown men wanted her hand in marriage. She said no.
By the age of 12 many grown men wanted her hand in marriage. She said no.
Did she say no because she was married to God? Maybe. But it might have been because she didn't want to be married off to men much older than her.
One thing's for sure, these men were displeased at the rejection. She was outed for her faith and condemned to a brothel
One thing's for sure, these men were displeased at the rejection. She was outed for her faith and condemned to a brothel
As she was dragged through the streets, one version of the story says her hair grew miraculously to protect her modesty.
Others say men who tried to touch her were struck blind. In another version, one was struck dead.
Others say men who tried to touch her were struck blind. In another version, one was struck dead.
She was then condemned to burning at the stake. In all versions of the story, this doesn't work.
Some say angels put the fire out, some say it couldn't be started in the first place. Another version says the fire engulfed others.
This statue inspired our first poster for Agnes
Some say angels put the fire out, some say it couldn't be started in the first place. Another version says the fire engulfed others.
This statue inspired our first poster for Agnes
The attempts to punish and then kill Agnes were pretty unsuccessful (although still horrific for her) and so as a last resort she was beheaded.
Sometimes this is pictured as a stab to the neck as below
Miracles aside, this was a young girl traumatised and murdered for saying no
Sometimes this is pictured as a stab to the neck as below
Miracles aside, this was a young girl traumatised and murdered for saying no
Jump forward a few decades and we first see her named as a saint by this St Ambrose in around 354AD and boom - welcome to the stage a mythical religious being constantly accompanied by a lamb, some palm leaves and a halo, and often looking a lot older than 12 (see all art above!)
What if this Saint Agnes could travel back in time and avenge her death? What if this saint traveled back far enough to see Agnes, a 12 year old girl with no lamb to comfort her, no miracles to ease the pain, and no future ahead of her?
You'll have to watch #Agnes to find out
You'll have to watch #Agnes to find out
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