The ‘Tomb of S. Polycarp’ and the Topography of Ancient Smyrna

The history and authenticity of the so-called ‘tomb of S. Polycarp’ at Smyrna have lately formed the subject of a monograph by Père S. Lorenzo of the Order of S. Francis, who claims to have discovered the real church and tomb of S. Polycarp in a vineyard at some distance from the site tacitly accepted hitherto both by the Greek and Latin communities. The first section of the present paper attempts to trace as far as possible the history of the traditional tomb; the second to discuss the antiquity of its traditions, and the value of tradition in general at Smyrna; and the third to establish a point in the topography of ancient Smyrna on evidence arising from, or closely connected with, the former discussions.