An Iconoclast by Arthur Conan Doyle. Short summary

5 seconds

A Christian slave damages a statue of Venus. The master promises pardon if he worships the goddess of beauty. But the slave throws himself on the statue again and is sent to his execution.

1 minute

Roman senator Aemilius Flaccus returns home after a night of libations at Emperor Domitian’s house.

Upon entering the house, he learns that one of the slaves, a Christian named Dat, has attacked and damaged the statue of Venus. This is a real tragedy for Aemilius, for the sculpture was the creation of Praxiteles himself.

At this point, the emperor comes to the house of Flaccus. Finding out what happened, Domitian demands that the slave be severely punished. And knowing that Aemilius Flaccus is too good to the servants, he wants to be personally present at the punishment.

All the servants of the house of Flaccus are driven away and Data is brought in. The believer scolds the statue, considering it to be a diabolical brat, an idol not worthy of worship. The kind senator resolves to give the slave a chance to escape death and advises him to bow down before Venus.

But Dat pounces on the statue and beats her hands off. He is sentenced to death in the gladiatorial arena.