Study paper from 2007 in the field of German Studies - Older German Literature, Medieval Studies, grade: 1.7, Free University of Berlin (Philosophy), language: German, abstract: "Blessed are you when you are insulted and persecuted and falsely accused in every way for my sake. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in heaven will be great. For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:3-12) (1079) The steadfastness in faith against any hostility, despite the bodily torment inflicted by pagan unbelievers or other Christians, the devotion to God up to the point of sacrificing one's earthly existence in anticipation of salvation through God are characteristics of Christian martyrs as depicted in medieval hagiographies. Not every martyrdom reaches a physically torturous extent, and not every martyr figure dies a thousand deaths.