Born into the service of the famous Roman military family of Lucius Sullia, the young Agripa was to grow into a formidable dog of war. Fame came early to Lucius and Agripa, as they fought and won battle after battle. Their fame grew so rapidly and to such a great extent that the Emperor Titus felt compelled to bring home the reckless pair rather than taking the chance of them dying at the hands of a foreign enemy. Once home the pair became restless. Lucius started to disappear for days at a time. He secretly converted to Christianity and became a devoted member of Rome's underground congregation. During the course of events Lucius was denounced, arrested as a traitor, condemned, and transported to the Coliseum. When the centurions came for Lucius, Agripa, because of his past deeds, was allowed to accompany his master to the cells beneath the killing ground. The guards some of whom were old battlefield companions, thought it was only just that Agripa be allowed to meet the same fate as his master. So when a large group of Christians was assembled to meet their deaths at the hands of savage beasts, Agripa stood in the forefront. The horns blared and the first of the lions was loosed. Because of his advanced age and past wounds everyone thought that there would be no contest, but the brindled canine fought as if possessed by an avenging god. Within the span of fifteen minutes he had dispatched the first three of the African cats and stood bloodied as he faced his last opponent, a large yellow and black stripped feline from the Indus Valley. Agripa knew that he had but one effort left, so as the cat sprang he feinted left, then shot straight up plunging his teeth into the tigers throat. Enraged, the beast ripped at his opponent, flaying Agripa unmercifully, but the veteran of many battles refused to loosen his grip and in the end, he outlived the tiger by a few moments. In recognition of Agripa's unbounded courage and loyalty, the mob took pity on Lucius and the remaining Christians, sparing their lives.
Today his cult has faded, but you can still make out his graffiti in the catacombs beneath Vatican City, and every now and then in the streets of Rome you will see the name Agripa scrawled next to a cross.
On June 8, 1842, Leadbetter Ltd. of South Woolsey held their annual auction of unclaimed goods. Lot 23 was a locked and battered sea chest. Sturdy if well worn, its exotic appeal brought forth a fierce bidding competition, and in the end the unopened trunk sold for the amazing sum of 21 pounds (almost six hundred dollars in today's currency). Inside, among the tattered garments of a traveler, they found a few personal letters and an artist's portfolio and journal.
The letters dated the chest contents to the late 1600s, when its owner traveled the Middle East recording religious images from abandoned and neglected monasteries and churches.
Due to its unsubstantiated origins and its controversial religious aspects, ãDog Saintsä is presented as a work of fiction.
adhered to 5ä x 7ä folded white card stock.
Comes with an envelope and sealed in a plastic sleeve.
Purchase one for $5.
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