The Martyrdom of Saint Zotikos

Description This folio shows the martyrdom of Saint Zotikos, a priest in the city of Constantinople who dedicated himself to helping the sick. Although he enjoyed the favor of the emperor Constantine I (r. 306-337), Zotikos drew the enmity of Constantine's son and successor, Constantius II (r. 337-361) who had the pries killed by being dragged behind mules. According to legend, Zotikos saved hundreds of lepers who had been condemned to die in order to avoid contamination.

Exhibitions

• Eureka! The Archimedes Palimpsest. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore; The Field Museum, Chicago. 1999-2000.

Provenance Library of the Greek Patriarchate, Alexandria (no. 32/33) [known to have been there in 1895 and 1901, but reported lost by 1914]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1930, by purchase [probably from Leon Gruel, Paris]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1930