The wise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “It is better to die for something than to live for nothing.” » (Martin Luther King) This quote best suits the life of Saint Sebastian, the martyr. If someone still uses their faith and preaches the gospel after suffering torture, it shows they have a calling from the Lord. A goal that cannot stop even if he is tortured, shot, beaten or even killed. His faith influenced the way we humans live today because of his courage. Saint Sebastian, an 11th-century missionary martyr killed by Emperor Maximian and Diocletian of Rome, died in the effort to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in Rome, encouraging those who were martyred and others to keep their Christian faith and finally in his effort to end the persecution of Roman Christians Saint Sebastian was born in Narbonne, Gaul, while raised in a strict Roman Catholic household while he "trained in the army when he was a young boy” (Catholic Online.) When he grew up, he became a soldier and rose to the top of his militia in 283 AD (Catholic Online.) As he advanced in his class, he ranked first in his position. He then obtained the position of “captain of the Praetorian Guard of the Emperor Diocletian”. (Catholic Online.) Having the position of Praetorian Guard gives "high authority and social/economic power in the city of Rome" (Catholic Online.) This allowed Sebastian to do whatever he wanted. He also had the power to execute anyone publicly for using the Christian faith in public or at all. Christianity was illegal in Rome and the rulers established major consequences if a Christian was found. Sebastian had to keep his Christian faith quiet, but he still worshiped God. Although questioned as a Christian by his... middle of paper ......nst him and he always fought for justice, this meant he had courage. Courage enough to be martyred twice. Works Cited “Saint Sebastian”. Catholic Online. Catholic Online, March 3, 2014 “The Life and Legacy of Saint Sebastian” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company LLC March 3, 2014 Eternal Word “Saint Sebastian” Television Network. Eternal Word Network, March 3, 2014 “Saint Sebastian” Catholic Exchange. Sophia Institute Press, March 3, 2014 “Saint Sebastian: why did he die? Index of Catholic Saints. Catholic Saints Info, March 3, 2014 “Martyrs of ancient times: Saint Sebastian” Eternal Word Television Network. Youtube, March 3, 2014 “The evils of Roman culture” Roman Empire Online. Roman Empire Network March 3, 2014 “Persecution of Christianity in the Roman Empire” BBC Online. BBC Network LLC March 3, 2014 “Martyr.” Def. 3. Merriam Webster Online, Merriam Webster, Web. March 3 2014