[3] Reference to this myth is also to be found in Usuardis' martyrology; his account of Balbina is entangled with the supposed martyrdom of Pope Alexander I.

Legend has it that Quirinus was ordered to hold Pope Alexander and a man named Hermes in prison because of their Christian faith.

The story continues that Quirinus quickly returned home and brought his daughter to the prison where he had originally locked up Pope Alexander.

"[6] Knowing where Peter had been held before his martyrdom, Quirinus jumped up immediately and took Balbina with him, where he found the chains.

However, Quirinus had converted to Christianity after witnessing miracles performed by these three saints, then to be baptised along with his wife, and daughter Balbina.

His grave was later regarded with great veneration and is referred to in the old itineraries (guides for pilgrims) of the Roman catacombs.

[8] Most stories agree that in 130 Balbina was found guilty of being a Christian and sentenced by Emperor Hadrian to death, whether drowned or buried alive varies.

At a later date, the stories go, the bones and relics of Quirinus and Balbina would have been brought to the church built in her honour in the 4th century.

It was built in the 4th century over the house of consul Lucius Fabius Cilo on the Aventine Hill, behind the Baths of Caracalla.

Tradition has it that it was at this church that the Emperor Constantine bade farewell to the pope on his departure to found the city that became Constantinople.