For Christians, the crucified and resurrected body of Jesus is the site where word and flesh meet to engender foundational beliefs. It is through the interpretation of his death and martyrdom that the mortal "Jesus of Nazareth" is rewritten as the divine "Jesus Christ." Lim will examine other martyrs of the early Christian period and explore the importance of transforming tortured, publicly displayed bodies into triumphant, spiritually resurrected martyrs via written texts. She is particularly interested in martyrdom's role in forming the then fledgling Christian identity. Figures of interest include Perpetua and Felicitas, Ignatius, and Polycarp.