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Shelton wishes to unravel the fundamental import of Hippolytus' commentary on Daniel as an exhortation to martyrdom (chapters i and v). By careful reference to both Jewish and Christian patristic exegesis, he seeks to show the methodology of scriptural interpretation to be found in this first 'orthodox' commentary on a whole biblical book (chapter iv). He rightly emphasises the typological approach of Justin Martyr and of Irenaeus to be witnessed in Hippolytus' commentary as opposed to the extreme Gnostic allegorism to be found in Heracleon's Valentinian commentary on John (pp. 113-14). Shelton then attempts to incorporate his account of the exegesis of martyrdom into Hippolytus' historical profile. His formation was in the persecution of Septimius Severus, and his controversy with Callistus was over the latter's willingness to engage in a too easy and ready absolution of the fallen in persecution (pp. 27-30). He will even set out the distinction between Sacrificati, Thurificati, and Libellatici and claim that such...