Polyeucte is a drama in five acts by French writer Pierre Corneille. It was finished in December 1642 and debuted in October 1643. It is based on the life of the martyr Saint Polyeuctus (Polyeucte). This does not cite any references or sources. ... In theater, an act (noun) is a short performance that is part of a longer program. ... Pierre Corneille (June 6, 1606–October 1, 1684) was a French tragedian tragedian who was one of the three great 17th Century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. ... Events January 4 - Charles I attempts to arrest five leading members of the Long Parliament, but they escape. ... // Events January 21 - Abel Tasman discovers Tonga February 6 - Abel Tasman discovers the Fiji islands. ... Saint Polyeuctus (Polyeuctes, Polyeuktos) of Melitene (d. ...

In 1878 it was adapted into an opera by Charles Gounod, with the assistance of the librettist Jules Barbier. Other works based on the play include a ballet by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1679), an overture by Paul Dukas (1891) and a composition by Edgar Tinel. 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. ... Charles Gounod. ... Jules Barbier (8 March 1825 - 16 January 1901) was a French poet, writer and opera librettist who often wrote in collaboration with Michel Carré. His writings include: Bizet - La Guzla de lÉmir (1-act comic opera; never performed and probably destroyed) Gounod - Faust, Romeo et Juliette, Le Médecin... Painting of ballet dancers by Edgar Degas, 1872. ... Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643 - February 24, 1704) was a French composer of the Baroque era. ... Edgar Tinel Edgar (Pierre Joseph) Tinel (27 March 1854 - 28 October 1912) was a Belgian composer and pianist. ...

The drama is set in Armenia during a time when Christians were persecuted there under the Roman Empire. Polyeucte, an Armenian nobleman, converts to Christianity to the great despair of his wife, Pauline, and of his father-in-law, Felix. Despite them, Polyeucte becomes a martyr, causing Pauline and Felix to finally convert as well. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A Christian () is a person who... Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) The Roman Empire at its greatest extent. ... Look up Martyr in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

There is also a romantic subplot: the Roman Severus is in love with Pauline and hopes she will be his after the conversion of Polyeucte. However, she chooses to stay at the side of her husband. Before dying, Polyeucte entrusts Severus with Pauline.

Polyeucte is one of the last 17th-century French dramas with a religious subject—Corneille did also write Théodore in 1646 and Racine wrote Esther (1689) and Athalie (1691), but these were not meant for public display. Later plays were not as willing to mix religious and worldly themes. As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700 in the Gregorian calendar. ... Théodore may refer to: Théodore Géricault, French painter; Théodore de Banville, French writer; Théodore Dubois, French composer; Category: ... Jean Racine. ... Esther (1865), by John Everett Millais Esther (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ), born Hadassah, was a woman in the Hebrew Bible, the queen of Ahasuerus (commonly identified with either Xerxes I or Artaxerxes II), and heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther which is named after her. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Athaliah. ...

Further reading

• Project Gutenberg etext of Polyeucte