Ritual failure and masculinity in the martyrdom of Polycarp

This chapter analyzes the martyrdom of Polycarp of Smyrna, as recounted in the Martyrdom of Polycarp, from the vantage point of ritual theory, including theory regarding ritual failure. It will be argued that a ritual understanding of martyrdom enhances one's understanding of the extent to which it functions as an event that changes Polycarp's status, albeit not from elite bishop to hapless victim, but, among other things, from a man of questionable masculinity (because of his advanced age) to a person quite beyond at least generally held assumptions regarding gender. The subversion of the ritual manner in which Polycarp is to be put in his place through execution plays a role in outlining these insights. In doing so, the chapter both builds on and goes beyond existing research on the Martyrdom of Polycarp.