The two Ephesian matrons: Drusiana’s story in the Acts of John as a possible Christian response to Milesian narrative

In this paper I try to demonstrate that the literary tradition of fabula Milesia might lie in the background of both Petronius’ tale of the Milesian matron and the story of Drusiana, told in the apocryphal Acts of John. This view is supported by some elements common to the two stories: the location in Ephesus; the theme of virtue, causing the women to long for death; the place – a tomb – where their fidelity is put to test; and above all, the motif of return to life. And, if Petronius reflects the profane Milesian tradition, the author of the AJ criticizes it, aiming at re-using it to teach Christian morality.