Saint Sebastian was an early Christian saint and martyr living circa 255AD until 288AD. According to traditional belief, he was killed during the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians. He was initially tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows, though this did not kill him. He was then rescued and healed by Saint Irene of Rome, and this became a popular subject in 17th-century painting. In all versions of the story, shortly after his recovery he returned to Diocletian to warn him about his sins, and as a result was clubbed to death. In medieval times, he was regarded as a saint with a special ability to help protect from plague, and devotion to him greatly increased when plague was active.