The Roman Martyrology gives the stonemasons Simpronianus, Claudius, Nicostratus, Castorius and Simplicius as the martyrs celebrated on November 8. The designation Four Crowned Martyrs or Four Holy Crowned Ones actually refers to 9 separate martyrs, divided into two groups.
Severus (or Secundius), Severian(us), Carpophorus, Victorinus were martyred at Rome or Castra Albana, according to Christian tradition. The second group, (Claudius, Castorius, Symphorian (Simpronian), Nicostratus, and Simplicius, according to Christian tradition, were sculptors fromSirmium who were killed in Pannonia. They refused to fashion a pagan statue for the Emperor Diocletian or to offer sacrifice to the Roman goods. The emperor ordered them to be placed alive in lead coffins and thrown into the sea, about 287. Simplicius was killed with them.