For about fifteen years ago, as those testify who were able to be present, forty peasants captured by the Lombards were being compelled to eat meats offered to idols. When they strongly resisted and would not touch the sacrilegious food, the Lombards who held them began to threaten them with death unless they should eat the offered meat. But they, loving eternal life rather than the present and passing life, stood fast faithfully, and in their constancy were all slain together. What then were these men, if not martyrs of the truth, who, lest by eating the forbidden thing they should offend their Maker, chose to end their life by the sword?