Acta Sanctorum

Zoticus and Companions

12 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
SS. Zoticus, Rogatus, Modestus, Castulus, and thirty-six companion soldiers, African martyrs. The Roman Martyrology records 'a company of forty soldiers' in Africa; Baronius restored their names from an ancient manuscript. The Martyrology of St. Jerome and the Dungal manuscript provide variant lists of names.

ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS ZOTICUS, ROGATUS, MODESTUS, CASTULUS, QUINCTUS, BICCIANUS OR EBICIANUS, CAROTICUS, CASTULINUS, AND THIRTY-SIX COMPANIONS.

Commentary

Zoticus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Biccianus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Caroticus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Castulinus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Thirty-six companions, Martyrs in Africa Castulus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Modestus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Quinctus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Rogatus, Martyr in Africa (St.)

Concerning these the Roman Martyrology says: "In Africa, of the Holy Martyrs Zoticus, Rogatus, Modestus, Castulus, and a company of forty soldiers." Baronius acknowledges that he restored their names to the sacred Calendar from an ancient manuscript, and testifies that their Acts are in his possession, which we have not yet seen. The Martyrology of St. Jerome: "In Africa, of Zoticus, Castolus, Quinctus, Rogatus, Modestus, Biccianus, Caroticus, Castolinus." The Rhinau manuscript: "In Africa, of Zoticus, Castolus, Quintus, Rogatus, Modestus." The Dungal manuscript makes mention of Quinctus, Rogatus, Modestus, Ebicianus (who is undoubtedly the same as Biccianus), Corotis (who seems to be Coroticus), Castolinus (in addition to Castulus listed among the Egyptians), Valentiana, Arabicus, and eighteen others. We have already noted that it is doubtful whether one of these is the Aventinus or Aventina listed among the Egyptians. For that manuscript assigns no locations.