The reign of the

emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...

Diocletian Diocletian (; la, Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, grc, Διοκλητιανός, Diokletianós; c. 242/245 – 311/312), nicknamed ''Iovius'', was Roman emperor from 284 until his abdication in 305. He was born Gaius Valerius Diocles ...

(284−305) marked the final widespread

persecution of Christians The persecution of Christians can be historically traced from the first century of the Christian era to the present day. Christian missionaries and converts to Christianity have both been targeted for persecution, sometimes to the point of b ...

in the

Roman Empire The Roman Empire ( la, Imperium Romanum ; grc-gre, Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων, Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn) was the post-Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it included large territorial holdings around the Mediterr ...

. The most intense period of violence came after Diocletian issued an edict in 303 more strictly enforcing adherence to the traditional religious practices of Rome in conjunction with Imperial cult. Modern historians estimate that during this period, known as the Diocletianic or Great Persecution and extending several years beyond the reign of Diocletian, as many as 3,000−3,500

Christians Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

were executed under the authority of Imperial edicts.Frend, ''Martyrdom and Persecution'', 393–94; Liebeschuetz, 251–52. The church historian

Eusebius Eusebius of Caesarea (; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος ; 260/265 – 30 May 339), also known as Eusebius Pamphilus (from the grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος τοῦ Παμφίλου), was a Greek historian of Christianity, exegete, and Christian ...

, a Bishop of Caesarea who lived through both the "Little Peace" of the Church and the Great Persecution, is a major source for identifying Christian martyrs in this period. Martyr narratives flourished later as a

genre Genre () is any form or type of communication in any mode (written, spoken, digital, artistic, etc.) with socially-agreed-upon conventions developed over time. In popular usage, it normally describes a category of literature, music, or other for ...

of Christian literature, but are not contemporary with the persecutions and are often of dubious historicity. This article lists both historical and legendary figures traditionally identified as martyrs during the reign of Diocletian.

Martyrs of Palestine

The names of the following martyrs are recorded by Eusebius in his work '' The Martyrs of Palestine'': *

Procopius of Scythopolis Procopius of Scythopolis (died 7 July AD 303) was a 4th century martyr who is venerated as a saint. He was a Reader (liturgy), reader and exorcist in the church at Skythopolis, Scythopolis; he also was famous as an ascetic and erudite theologian. E ...

, 7 July, 303 *

Timolaus and Companions Saint Timolaus and five companions, according to the historian of the early Christian church Eusebius in his ''Martyrs of Palestine'', were young men who, having heard that the Roman authorities in Caesarea, Palestine, in 303 AD, had condemned ...

, 303 *

Alphaeus and Zacchaeus Saints Alphaeus and Zaccheus were two Christians who were put to death in Caesarea, Palestine, in 303 or 304, according to church historian Eusebius in his ''Martyrs of Palestine''. They are commemorated on November 18. Background There are tw ...

, 303 or 304 *

Romanus of Caesarea Romanus of Caesarea (also known as Romanus of Antioch) is venerated as a martyr. A deacon of Caesarea, he was martyred at Antioch. Life In 303 or 304, at the beginning of the Diocletianic Persecution, a deacon called Romanus, served in Caesarea in ...

, 303 or 304 *

Aphian Aphian (Apphian, Apian, Appian, Amphianus, Amphian; ''Amfiano'' in Spanish and Italian) is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic Church and by the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is said to have died during the persecutions of the Emperor Galerius ...

, 2 April, 305

Martyrs of Nicomedia

In his '' Church History'', Eusebius discusses the martyrdoms at

Nicomedia Nicomedia (; el, Νικομήδεια, ''Nikomedeia''; modern İzmit) was an ancient Greek city located in what is now Turkey. In 286, Nicomedia became the eastern and most senior capital city of the Roman Empire (chosen by the emperor Diocletia ...

, naming two: * Gorgonius of Nicomedia, 304 *

Anthimus of Nicomedia Anthimus of Nicomedia ( el, Ἄνθιμος Νικομηδείας; martyred 303 or 311–12), was the bishop of Nicomedia in Bithynia, where he was beheaded during a persecution of Christians, traditionally placed under Diocletian (following ...

, 304

Attested in early sources

* Shmona and Gurya, c.297, as recorded in the ''

Acts of Shmona and of Gurya The Acts of Shmona and of Gurya is a Syriac Christian martyrdom text. The setting takes place at Edessa during Roman Emperor Diocletian's Great Persecution. Publications The martyrdom account of Shmona and Gurya was first only known in an abr ...

'' c.309 * Saint Sebastian, c.288, first attested by

Ambrose Ambrose of Milan ( la, Aurelius Ambrosius; ), venerated as Saint Ambrose, ; lmo, Sant Ambroeus . was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. He expressed himself prominently as a public figure, fiercely promo ...

bishop of Milan The Archdiocese of Milan ( it, Arcidiocesi di Milano; la, Archidioecesis Mediolanensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Italy which covers the areas of Milan, Monza, Lecco and Varese. It has lon ...

374–397 *

Euphemia Euphemia ( el, Εὐφημία; "well-spoken f), known as the All-praised in the Eastern Orthodox Church, was a virgin, who was martyred for her faith at Chalcedon in 303 AD. According to tradition, Euphemia was arrested for refusing to offer ...

, 303, attested in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum and the Fasti vindobonenses *

Felix and Adauctus Felix and Adauctus ( 303) were according to tradition, Christian martyrs who were said to have suffered during the Great Persecution during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian. The ''Acts'', first published in Ado's ''Martyrology'', r ...

, c.303, attested in the works of

Pope Gregory I Pope Gregory I ( la, Gregorius I; – 12 March 604), commonly known as Saint Gregory the Great, was the bishop of Rome from 3 September 590 to his death. He is known for instigating the first recorded large-scale mission from Rome, the Gregori ...

(late 6th century) and in a miraculous martyrology by Ado in the 9th century that may have drawn on a 4th-century record by

Pope Damasus I Pope Damasus I (; c. 305 – 11 December 384) was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death. He presided over the Council of Rome of 382 that determined the canon or official list of sacred scripture. He spoke out against major heresies ( ...

Agnes of Rome Agnes of Rome () is a virgin martyr, venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as the Anglican Communion and Lutheranism, Lutheran Churches. St. Agn ...

, c.304, recorded by Ambrose * Marcellinus and Peter, 304, first recorded by Damasus

Others

* Chrysanthus and Daria, according to the '' Martyrologium Hieronymianum'' * Nicasius, Quirinus, Scubiculus, and Pientia, according to tradition * Castulus and his wife Irene of Rome, according to tradition *

Mark and Marcellian Mark and Marcellian (Latin: ''Marcus et Marcellianus'') are martyrs venerated as saints by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Their cult is sometimes associated with that of Saints Tranquillinus, Martia, Nicostratus, Zoe, C ...

, according to tradition * Saint Tiburtius and

Saint Susanna Susanna of Rome (fl. 3rd century) was a Christian martyr of the Diocletianic Persecution. Her existing hagiography, written between about 450 and 500, is of no historical value and the relations it attributes to Susanna are entirely fictitious.Mi ...

, according to legend *

Victor of Marseilles Saint Victor of Marseilles (died c. 290) was an Egyptians, Egyptian Christian martyr. He is veneration, venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Life Saint Victor is said to have been a Roman army officer in Mar ...

, according to tradition *

Pope Caius Pope Caius (died 22 April 296), also called Gaius, was the bishop of Rome from 17 December 283 to his death in 296. Little information on Caius is available except that given by the ''Liber Pontificalis'', which relies on a legendary account of t ...

, according to legend *

Gabinus Saint Gabinus (commonly anglicized as Saint Gavin or Saint Gabin) is the title given to two personages. *Saint Gabinus, who died as a martyr at Porto Torres, Sardinia, Italy (the ancient Turris) sometime in the second century under Emperor Hadrian ...

, died c.300, according to tradition *

Sabinus of Spoleto :''for other saints called Sabinus, see Sabinus (disambiguation)'' Saint Sabinus of Spoleto (died c. 300) was a bishop in the Christian church who resisted the Diocletianic Persecution and was martyred. According to legend, Venustian, governor ...

, c.300, according to tradition *

Anthony of Antioch Anthony ( el, Άντώνιος; died 302 AD) was an early Christian priest who suffered martyrdom with Anastasius, Julian, Celsus and Marcionilla during the Diocletianic Persecution.Celsus and Marcionilla Celsus and Marcionilla were early Christian martyrs. Marcionilla was a matron, and Celsus was her little son. Together with Anastasius, Anthony, Julian and others they suffered martyrdom in Antioch during the Diocletianic Persecution The Diocle ...

, according to tradition * Eulalia of Barcelona, February 12, 303, according to tradition * Quirinus of Tegernsee, according to legend * Engratia, 303, according to tradition *

George George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

, April 23, 303, according to tradition *

Victor Maurus Victor the Moor (in Latin: Victor Maurus) (born 3rd century in Mauretania; died ca. 303 in Milan) was a native of Mauretania and a Christian martyr, according to tradition, and is venerated as a saint. Life Victor, born into a Christian family, ...

, c.303, according to tradition *

Agathius Saint Agathius (Greek: Ἅγιος Ἀκάκιος; died 303), also known as Acacius of Byzantium, Achatius, or Agathonas to Christian tradition, was a Cappadocian Greek centurion of the imperial army, martyred around 304. A church existed in Con ...

, May 8, 303, according to tradition *

Erasmus of Formiae Erasmus of Formia, also known as Saint Elmo (died c. 303), was a Christian saint and martyr. He is venerated as the patron saint of sailors and abdominal pain. Erasmus or Elmo is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saintly figures of Christi ...

, c.303, according to tradition *

Vitus Vitus is a Latin given name meaning lively and may refer to: *Saint Vitus (c. 290 – c. 303), a Christian martyr *Vitus of Hungary (died 1297), beatified friar *Vitus (bicycles), a French bicycle manufacturer * ''Vitus'' (film), a 2006 Swiss film ...

, according to legend * Cyriacus, according to tradition * Alexander of Bergamo, according to legend * Anastasius of Antioch,

Julian and Basilissa :''See also Saint Julian'' Julian and Basilissa (died ) were husband and wife, and are venerated as saints in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. They were Christian martyrs who died at either Antioch or, more probably, a ...

, according to tradition * Lucy, 304, according to tradition * Vincent of Saragossa, c.304, according to tradition *

Victoria of Albitina :''See Saint Victoria (disambiguation) for other saints with this name.'' Saint Victoria (died 304 AD) is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church. Her legend states that she was of the North African nobility and refused an arranged m ...

, c.304, according to tradition *

Agape, Chionia, and Irene Agape, Chionia and Irene ( el, Αγάπη, Χιονία και Ειρήνη) were sisters and Christian saints from Aquileia, martyred at Thessalonica in 304 AD. Agape and Chionia were charged with refusing to eat sacrificial offerings, whilst Ir ...

, 304, according to tradition *

Fidelis of Como Fidelis may refer to: ;People: * ''See Fidelis (name)'' ;Places: * Fidelis, Florida, an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. * São Fidélis, a municipality in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil * ...

, c.304, according to tradition *

Acisclus Saint Acisclus (also Ascylus, Ocysellus; es, Acisclo; french: Aciscle) (died 304) was a martyr of Córdoba, in Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., modern Portugal and Spain). His life is mentioned by Eulogius of Cordoba. He suffered marty ...

of Córdoba, 304, according to tradition * Leocadia of Toledo, c.304, according to tradition * Quiricus and Julietta, 304, according to tradition *

Eulalia of Mérida Eulalia of Mérida (Augusta Emerita in 292 - Augusta Emerita 10 December, 304) was a young Roman Christian martyred in Augusta Emerita, the capital of Lusitania (modern Mérida, Spain), during the Persecution of Christians under Diocletian. O ...

, according to tradition *

Proculus of Pozzuoli Saint Proculus (Proclus) of Pozzuoli ( it, San Procolo) was martyred around 305 AD, according to Christian tradition, at the same time as Saint Januarius. He was martyred with: *Sossius or Sosius, deacon of Miseno ( it, Sosso, Sossio) *Festus, ...

, and Januarius, c.305, according to tradition * Vincent, Orontius, and Victor 305, according to tradition *

Chrysogonus Chrysogonus (''Golden birth'') was the name of the following people in Ancient Greece and Rome: * Chrysogonus of Athens flutist and poet (~407 BC) * Chrysogonus of Macedon nobleman and general of Philip V of Macedon, father of poet Samus) * Luciu ...

, according to tradition *

Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla Saints Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla (all died May 31, circa 304 AD) are venerated as saints and martyrs by the Christian church. Narrative A late legend states that the three were orphaned siblings, members of a noble Roman family, th ...

, 304, reported by Maximus of Turin and

Venantius Fortunatus Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus ( 530 600/609 AD; french: Venance Fortunat), known as Saint Venantius Fortunatus (, ), was a Latin poet and hymnographer in the Merovingian Court, and a bishop of the Early Church who has been venerate ...

* Cessianus, 303 * Acacius of Sebaste, according to tradition * Anastasia of Sirmium, according to tradition *

Archelais and Companions Saints Archelais, Thecla, and Susanna were Christian virgins of the Romagna region in Northern Italy. During the Diocletianic Persecution in the 3rd century, the virgins disguised themselves as men, cut their hair, and escaped to a remote area in C ...

* Philomena, according to tradition * Pancras of Rome, according to tradition * Verissimus, Maxima, and Julia, c. 303, first attested in the '' Martyrology of Usuard'' (8th century)

Citations

References

* Frend, William H.C. ''Martyrdom and persecution in the early church: a study of a conflict from the Maccabees to Donatus''. New York University Press, 1967. Reissued in 2008 by James Clarke Company, U.K. * Liebeschuetz, J. H. W. G. ''Continuity and Change in Roman Religion''. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979. {{ISBN, 0-19-814822-4 Martyrs, Diocletian

Diocletian