Christian tradition holds that James the son of Zebedee was beheaded in Jerusalem. At his trial, he defended his faith such that the Roman officer who guarded James was overwhelmed, and knelt down beside James to accept beheading as a Christian as well. Is there any historical evidence of this?
The book of Acts says that James of Zebedee was killed by Herod Agrippa, but does not say why. There is nothing about a trial or a Roman soldier. The story I am referencing come from Eusebius, who cites a lost work of Clement of Alexandria:
2. And concerning this James, Clement, in the seventh book of his Hypotyposes, relates a story which is worthy of mention; telling it as he received it from those who had lived before him. He says that the one who led James to the judgment-seat, when he saw him bearing his testimony, was moved, and confessed that he was himself also a Christian.
3. They were both therefore, he says, led away together; and on the way he begged James to forgive him. And he, after considering a little, said, “Peace be with you,” and kissed him. And thus they were both beheaded at the same time. (** you do not have permission to see this link **)
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