The only point of real interest is a vague reference to Simonian literature (VI. xvi), in a passage which runs as follows: 

For we know that the followers of Simon and Cleobius having composed poisonous books in the name of Christ and his disciples, carry them about for the deception of you who have loved Christ and us his servants.[72]

So end the most important of the legends.  To these, however, must be added others of a like nature of which the scene of action is laid at Rome in the time of Nero.[73] I have not thought it worth while to refer to the original texts for these utterly apocryphal and unauthenticated stories, but simply append a very short digest from the excellent summary of Dr. Salmon, the Regius Professor of Divinity in Dublin University, as given in Smith and Wace’s Dictionary of Christian Biography.[74]

The Greek Acts of Peter and Paul give details of the conflict and represent both apostles as having taken part in it.  Simon and Peter are each required to raise a dead body to life.  Simon, by his magic, makes the head move, but as soon as he leaves the body it again becomes lifeless.  Peter, however, by his prayers effects a real resurrection.  Both are challenged to divine what the other is planning.  Peter prepares blessed bread, and takes the emperor into the secret.  Simon cannot guess what Peter has been doing, and so raises hell-hounds who rush on Peter, but the presentation of the blessed bread causes them to vanish.

In the Acts of Nereus and Achilleus,[75] another version of the story is given.  Simon had fastened a great dog at his door in order to prevent Peter entering.  Peter by making the sign of the cross renders the dog tame towards himself, but so furious against his master Simon that the latter had to leave the city in disgrace.

Simon, however, still retains the emperor’s favour by his magic power.  He pretends to permit his head to be cut off, and by the power of glamour appears to be decapitated, while the executioner really cuts off the head of a ram.

The last act of the drama is the erection of a wooden tower in the Campus Martius, and Simon is to ascend to heaven in a chariot of fire.  But, through the prayers of Peter, the two daemons who were carrying him aloft let go their hold and so Simon perishes miserably.

Dr. Salmon connects this with the story, told by Suetonius[76] and Dio Chrysostom,[77] that Nero caused a wooden theatre to be erected in the Campus, and that a gymnast who tried to play the part of Icarus fell so near the emperor as to bespatter him with blood.

So much for these motley stories; here and there instructive, but mostly absurd.  I shall now endeavour to sift out the rubbish from this patristic and legendary heap, and perhaps we shall find more of value than at present appears.

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