CASSIANO d'IMOLA, saint. - The place of his birth and the time of his death are unknown, and the reports concerning the circumstances of his martyrdom are likewise highly uncertain. Prudenzio (Peristephanon, IX) states that he saw at Imola a painting depicting a naked man surrounded by boys who raged against him with styli, and that the custodian of the place explained to him that this was the martyr C., a schoolmaster, killed in that manner at the magistrate’s command by his own pupils, because he had refused to sacrifice to the idols.
This kind of martyrdom seems to have been modelled on that of St. Marco d'Aretusa, or on the account of the death of the traitorous schoolmaster mentioned by Tito Livio (Ab Urbe condita, V. 27). It is certain, however, that in the fifth century the martyr C. was venerated at Imola, where there was a church dedicated to him, and his commemoration was observed on 13 August. Two groups of Passions of C. remain: one entirely dependent on Prudenzio, the other on the Gesta ss. C., Ingenuini et Albuini (BHL 241, 1627, 4273).