ST. PBTEK AND ST. PAUL. 203



Peter was at Jerusalem as late as a. d. 52 ; then at Antioch ; also in
Babylon : according to the most ancient testimonies he was at Rome
about A.D. 63 ; but the tradition^ that he resided as bishop in the city
of Home for twenty-five years, first related by Jerome, seems question-
able.^ Among the legendary incidents which marked his sojourn in
Rome, the first and the most important is the story of Simon Magus.
Simon, a famous magician among the Jews, had astonished the whole
city of Jerusalem by his wonderful feats ; but his inventions and sorce-
ries were overcome by the real miracles of Peter, as the Egyptian magi
had been conquered by Aiaron. He offered the apostles money to buy
the secret of their power, which Peter rejected with indignation. St.
