In the persecution of Diocletian, four brothers employed in offices of trust and honor at Rome, were apprehended for declaring against the worship of idols, and martyred. Their names were Severus, Severianus, Carpophorus and Victorius. Five other martyrs called Claudius, Nicostratus, Symphorianus, Castorius and Simplicius, who suffered the same persecution, were buried in the same cemetery. These five are said to have been put to death, because, being sculptors by profession, they refused to make idols. All martyrs were taken to the basilica of the “four crowned saints” and are honored there to this day.