The question of how the Apostle Peter met his end has been a subject of interest and inquiry for centuries. While the Bible itself provides hints, it’s the early Church traditions and writings that offer a more detailed picture of St. Peter’s martyrdom. This exploration delves into the historical accounts and beliefs surrounding the death of this foundational figure of Christianity, examining the evidence for the widely held belief that Peter was crucified, and specifically, whether he was crucified upside down.
Early Accounts of Peter’s Death
The New Testament offers a starting point for understanding Peter’s fate. In the Gospel of John (21:18-19), Jesus prophesies to Peter, “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” John clarifies that Jesus said this “to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.” The phrase “stretch out your hands” has been interpreted by early Christians as a clear reference to crucifixion.
One of the earliest non-biblical references to Peter’s death comes from Clement of Rome, around AD 90. In his Letter to the Corinthians, Clement mentions Peter as a “noble example” of suffering for the faith, stating that Peter “through unjust envy, endured not one or two but many labors, and at last, having delivered his testimony, departed unto the place of glory due to him.” While Clement doesn’t explicitly detail the method of execution, the language strongly suggests a martyrdom.
Ignatius of Antioch, writing around AD 110 in his Letter to the Romans, also alludes to Peter’s authority in Rome, further solidifying the connection between Peter and the Roman church.
The Details Emerge: Crucifixion in Rome
By the late 2nd century, clearer accounts of Peter’s martyrdom begin to surface. Irenaeus of Lyon, around AD 180, affirmed Peter’s ministry in Rome. Tertullian, writing around AD 195, directly states the Roman church’s authority based on the apostles’ blood, declaring, “What a happy church that is, on which the apostles poured out their whole doctrine with their blood; where Peter had a passion like that of the Lord.” Tertullian explicitly compares Peter’s suffering (“passion”) to that of Jesus, strongly implying crucifixion as the manner of his death.
Dionysius of Corinth, around AD 200, further connects Peter and Paul’s ministries and martyrdoms in Rome, writing to Pope Soter, “You have also, by your very admonition, brought together the planting that was made by Peter and Paul at Rome and at Corinth; for both of them alike planted in our Corinth and taught us; and both alike, teaching similarly in Italy, suffered martyrdom at the same time.”
Eusebius of Caesarea, in his Ecclesiastical History written in the early 4th century, recounts the widespread tradition of Peter’s crucifixion and Paul’s beheading in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, around AD 64. Eusebius, compiling earlier sources, reflects the solidified belief within the early Church regarding the location and manner of Peter’s death.
The Upside-Down Crucifixion: A Closer Look
While the historical consensus firmly points to Peter’s martyrdom in Rome by crucifixion, the detail of him being crucified upside down is less definitively supported. The earliest source mentioning upside-down crucifixion is the apocryphal Acts of Peter. Apocryphal texts, while offering insights into popular traditions, are not considered canonical or of the same historical reliability as other early Church writings.
The Acts of Peter describes Peter requesting to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. While this tradition became popular and is depicted in Christian art, the historical evidence for it is considered weaker compared to the general martyrdom by crucifixion in Rome. The writings of Clement, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Dionysius, and Eusebius do not specify the upside-down position.
It is important to distinguish between the well-attested historical event of Peter’s crucifixion in Rome and the specific detail of the upside-down position. The former is supported by a wide range of early Church Fathers, while the latter relies primarily on a single, less reliable source.
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Tradition
The tradition that St. Peter was martyred and buried in Rome led to the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Tradition holds that Peter’s remains are located in a crypt beneath the Basilica. Archaeological excavations in the 20th century under St. Peter’s Basilica unearthed a tomb believed by some to be Peter’s. While scientific analysis in the 1960s suggested the remains were of a man of appropriate age who died in the first century AD, the identification remains a matter of faith and tradition rather than definitive historical proof. The significance for Christians lies in the faith and legacy of St. Peter, not necessarily in possessing his physical remains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, historical evidence strongly supports the belief that St. Peter was martyred in Rome, most likely by crucifixion, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. This conclusion is drawn from the consistent testimony of numerous early Church Fathers, including Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Dionysius of Corinth, and Eusebius. The tradition of Peter being crucified upside down originates from the apocryphal Acts of Peter, which is a less reliable source compared to the aforementioned writers. Therefore, while the upside-down crucifixion is a popular and visually potent tradition, the core historical narrative centers on Peter’s crucifixion in Rome as a powerful testament to his faith and a foundational event in Christian history.
