Saint Eustace was a Roman general who is revered as a Christian martyr. According to legend, he was a pagan who converted to Christianity after having a vision of the cross while hunting. He lost all his wealth, was separated from his wife and sons, and went into exile in Egypt. Called back to lead the Roman army by Emperor Trajan, Eustace was happily reunited with his family and restored to high social standing, but after the death of Trajan, he and his family were martyred at the command of Hadrian in AD 118 for refusing to sacrifice to pagan Roman gods.