On the transmission of the legend of Saint Bartholomew and its dramatization in Las cadenas del Demonio by Pedro Calderón de la Barca

This article seeks to explain the transmission of the legend of the Apostle Bartholomew, emphasizing the differences presented by the hagiographies that relate his story. In addition, the hypotheses that have been formulated regard ing Calderón's main source for the composition of Las cadenas del Demonio, a "comedia" inspired by the martyrdom of the apostle Bartholomew, are reviewed. Finally it seeks to determine the most likely source for the writing of this "comedia".