Torpes of Pisa

Torpes of Pisa (Torpetius, Tropesius; died 65 AD) is venerated as an early Christian martyr. The town of Saint-Tropez, France, is named after him. His veneration states that he was martyred during the persecutions of Nero. Little else is known about his life. He is first mentioned in sources dating from the 9th century.

Life Evidence of his life state that he was a gladiator or knight (equites) who was an attendant to the Emperor Nero, or head of the emperor's personal bodyguard. His full name was Caïus Silvius Torpetius and he was a native of Pisa.

Torpes became a Christian after being converted by Paul the Apostle. He professed his faith during a ceremony in which Nero declared Diana to be the creator of the universe.

The local people named their village in honor of him. the church of San Torpete is dedicated to the saint.

In Saint-Tropez, his bust is honored during the festival of Les Bravades in mid-May and again in mid-June in the festival of Les Bravades des Espagnols, a religious and military celebration commemorating the victory of the Tropezian militia over the Spanish in 1637.