Era 1 of 5 · AD 4–70

The Apostolic Age

Eyewitnesses of Jesus carry the message from Jerusalem to Rome.

Events of the era

• AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
• AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
• AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
• AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
• AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
• AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
• AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70

Every named figure, by year of death

• Saint Anned. c. AD 12 (traditional)Mother of the Virgin Mary · Jerusalem / Sepphoris (trad.)
• John the Baptistd. c. AD 28–36 (beheaded at Machaerus)Forerunner · Baptizer in the Jordan · Martyr · Judaean wilderness → Machaerus
• Judas Iscariotd. AD 30Apostle who betrayed the Lord · Kerioth(?) → Jerusalem
• The Centurion at the Crossfl. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Roman officer at the crucifixion · Jerusalem
• Simon the Phariseefl. c. AD 31Pharisee of Galilee · Host of the anointing of Luke 7 · Galilee
• The Sinful Woman (Luke 7)fl. c. AD 31 (unnamed; life unrecorded)Penitent of Galilee · Anointed Jesus in the Pharisee's house · Galilee
• Ananias of Jerusalemd. c. 33Member of the first Jerusalem community · Jerusalem
• Dismas (the Penitent Thief)d. AD 33 (crucified with Christ)The good thief · Promised paradise · Golgotha
• Joanna, wife of Chuzafl. c. AD 30–33Benefactor of the ministry · Witness of the empty tomb · Galilee (court of Herod Antipas) → Jerusalem
• Lazarus of Bethanyfl. c. AD 33; later life unrecordedBrother of Martha and Mary · Raised from the dead at Bethany · Bethany, near Jerusalem
• Martha of Bethanyfl. c. AD 30–33Mistress of the Bethany household · Confessed Christ before the tomb · Bethany, near Jerusalem
• Mary Magdalenefl. c. AD 30–33 (later life unrecorded)Disciple of Galilee · First witness of the Resurrection · ‘Apostle to the apostles’ · Magdala, Galilee → Jerusalem
• Mary of Bethanyfl. c. AD 30–33Disciple · Sister of Martha and Lazarus · Anointed Jesus at Bethany · Bethany, near Jerusalem
• Sapphirad. c. 33Member of the first Jerusalem community · Jerusalem
• Pontius Pilate's Wife (Procula)fl. AD 33 (death unrecorded)Roman noblewoman · Warned Pilate at the trial · Jerusalem
• Stephen the Protomartyrc. 5 – c. 34Deacon of Jerusalem · First Martyr · Jerusalem
• Joseph Caiaphasdeposed AD 36, d. thereafterHigh priest at the trial of Jesus · Jerusalem
• Emperor Tiberius42 BC – AD 37Roman Emperor · Reigning at the Crucifixion · Rome → Capri
• Pontius Pilaterecalled AD 36/37; d. c. 37+ (trad. suicide)Prefect of Judaea · Judge of Jesus · Caesarea Maritima / Jerusalem
• Herod Antipasexiled AD 39, d. thereafterTetrarch of Galilee · Executioner of the Baptist · Galilee → exile in Gaul
• Annas (Ananus I)d. c. 40High priest emeritus · Head of the priestly dynasty · Jerusalem
• Tabitha (Dorcas)d. after c. 36 (raised at Joppa)Disciple of Joppa · Benefactress · Joppa
• Aeneas of Lyddafl. c. 35 (death unrecorded)Paralytic healed by Peter · Lydda
• Herod Agrippa Id. AD 44King of Judaea · Persecutor of the apostles · Jerusalem
• James, son of Zebedeed. AD 44Apostle of the Twelve · First apostolic martyr · Galilee → Jerusalem
• Ananias of Damascusd. mid-1st c. (trad. martyred at Eleutheropolis)Disciple of Damascus · Baptizer of Paul · Damascus
• Mary, the Mother of Jesusd. c. 41–48 (traditions vary)Mother of the Lord · Nazareth → Jerusalem (or Ephesus)
• Elymas (Bar-Jesus)fl. AD 47 (death unrecorded)Magus at the court of Cyprus · Paphos, Cyprus
• King Abgar V of Edessad. c. AD 50 (trad. convert of Addai)King of Osroene · First royal name in Christian tradition · Edessa
• Philo of Alexandriac. 20 BC – c. AD 50Jewish philosopher · Witness of the Alexandrian community · Alexandria
• Simon the Tannerfl. c. 36 (death unrecorded)Host of Peter at Joppa · Joppa
• Gamaliel the Elderd. c. 52Pharisee · Doctor of the law · Teacher of Paul · Jerusalem
• Mary, Mother of John Markfl. c. 44 (death unrecorded)Householder of the Jerusalem church · Jerusalem
• Emperor Claudiusd. AD 54Roman Emperor (41–54) · Rome
• Rhodafl. c. 44 (death unrecorded)Servant of the house of Mary · Jerusalem
• Simon of Cyrenefl. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Bearer of the cross · Cyrene → Jerusalem
• Demetrius the Silversmithfl. c. 55 (death unrecorded)Guild-master of the Artemis trade · Ephesus
• Andrew the Apostled. c. 60–70 (trad., Patras)Apostle of the Twelve · “The First-Called” · Bethsaida → Achaia (trad.)
• Cornelius the Centurionfl. c. 37 (trad. later bishop of Caesarea)Centurion of the Italian Cohort · First Gentile convert · Caesarea Maritima
• Simeon called Nigerfl. c. 46 (death unrecorded)Prophet and teacher of Antioch · Antioch
• The Didachist (Author of the Didache)treatise c. AD 50–70 (trad. dating)Anonymous compiler · “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” · Syria or Palestine
• The Ethiopian Eunuchfl. c. 36 (death unrecorded)Treasurer of Candace · First African convert · Meroë (Kush) ↔ Jerusalem
• Barnabas of Cyprusc. 5 – c. 61Apostle of Antioch & Cyprus · “Son of Encouragement” · Cyprus → Antioch
• Lucius of Cyrenefl. c. 46 (death unrecorded)Prophet and teacher of Antioch · Cyrene → Antioch
• Alexander, son of Simon of Cyrenefl. c. 30–60 (death unrecorded)Son of the cross-bearer · Cyrene → Rome(?)
• Antonius Felixrecalled c. AD 59/60, d. thereafterProcurator of Judaea · Paul’s first Roman judge · Caesarea Maritima
• James the Justc. 1 – 62Brother of Jesus · Bishop of Jerusalem · Nazareth → Jerusalem
• James, son of Alphaeusd. 1st c. (trad. c. 62)Apostle of the Twelve · Galilee
• Judas called Barsabbasfl. c. 49 (death unrecorded)Prophet of Jerusalem · Envoy of the Council · Jerusalem
• Loisfl. c. 48 (death unrecorded)Grandmother of Timothy · Believer of Lystra · Lystra, Lycaonia
• Lydia of Thyatirafl. c. 50 (death unrecorded)Dealer in purple · First convert of Europe · Thyatira → Philippi
• Manaenfl. c. 46 (death unrecorded)Teacher of Antioch · Foster-brother of Herod Antipas · Antioch
• Porcius Festusd. AD 62 (in office)Procurator of Judaea · Caesarea Maritima
• Epaphrasfl. c. 55–62 (death unrecorded; trad. martyr of Colossae)Founder-evangelist of Colossae · Colossae → Rome
• Euodia of Philippifl. c. 62 (death unrecorded)Co-worker of Paul at Philippi · Philippi
• Jason of Thessalonicafl. c. 50 (death unrecorded)Host of the Thessalonian mission · Thessalonica
• Matthias the Apostled. c. 63 (trad.)Apostle · Chosen to complete the Twelve · Jerusalem
• Syntyche of Philippifl. c. 62 (death unrecorded)Co-worker of Paul at Philippi · Philippi
• Aristarchus of Thessalonicad. c. 64–67 (trad., under Nero)Companion of Paul · “Fellow prisoner” · Thessalonica → Rome
• Clement of Philippifl. c. 62 (death unrecorded)Co-worker of Paul at Philippi · Philippi
• Gaius of Macedoniafl. c. 55 (death unrecorded)Travel companion of Paul · Macedonia → Ephesus
• Syzygus (“True Yokefellow”)fl. c. 62 (identity debated)Addressee at Philippi · Philippi
• Titius Justusfl. c. 51 (death unrecorded)God-fearer of Corinth · Host of the mission · Corinth
• Crispus of Corinthfl. c. 51 (trad. later bishop of Aegina)Ruler of the synagogue · Convert · Corinth
• Damaris of Athensfl. c. 50 (death unrecorded)Convert of the Areopagus address · Athens
• Epaphroditusfl. c. 62 (trad. later bishop of Philippi)Messenger of the Philippians · Philippi → Rome
• Gaius of Derbefl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)Delegate of the Jerusalem collection · Derbe, Lycaonia
• Gallio (Lucius Junius Gallio Annaeanus)d. c. 65Proconsul of Achaia · Brother of Seneca · Corinth
• Helen of Tyrefl. c. AD 40–60 (death unrecorded)Companion of Simon Magus · The Simonians' 'First Thought' · Tyre → Samaria → Rome
• Judas son of James (Thaddaeus)d. c. 65 (trad., Persia)Apostle of the Twelve · Galilee → Syria & Persia (trad.)
• Nympha of Laodiceafl. c. 62 (death unrecorded)Householder of a house church · Laodicea
• Paul of Tarsusc. 5 – c. 64/67Apostle to the Gentiles · Tarsus → Rome
• Secundus of Thessalonicafl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)Delegate of Thessalonica · Thessalonica
• Seneca the Youngerc. 4 BC – AD 65 (forced suicide)Stoic philosopher · Tutor of Nero · Brother of Gallio · Rome
• Silas (Silvanus)d. later 1st c. (trad., Macedonia)Prophet of Jerusalem · Companion of Paul · Co-sender of epistles · Jerusalem → Macedonia
• Simon Magusd. c. 65 (trad., at Rome)Samaritan magus · Archetype of heresy · Samaria → Rome
• Simon the Zealotd. c. 65 or later (trads. diverge)Apostle of the Twelve · Galilee → Persia (trad.)
• Sopater son of Pyrrhus (Sosipater)fl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)Delegate of Beroea · Beroea
• Sosthenes of Corinthfl. c. 51 (death unrecorded)Synagogue ruler · Later co-sender of 1 Corinthians · Corinth
• The Author of Hebrewsepistle c. AD 63–67 (trad. dating)Anonymous author · Theologian of the priesthood of Christ · Unknown (Italy connections; Alexandrian schooling?)
• Trophimus of Ephesusd. c. 65 (trad., under Nero)Delegate of Asia · Occasion of Paul’s arrest · Ephesus
• Zenas the Lawyerfl. c. 63 (death unrecorded)Traveling teacher · Jurist · Crete (in transit)
• Achaicus of Corinthfl. c. 55 (death unrecorded)Delegate to Paul at Ephesus · Corinth
• Alexander the Coppersmithfl. c. 65 (death unrecorded)Opponent of Paul · Ephesus(?)
• Artemasfl. c. 63 (death unrecorded)Envoy of Paul to Crete · Crete (assigned)
• Carpus of Troasfl. c. 65 (death unrecorded)Host of Paul · Keeper of the cloak and books · Troas
• Erastus of Corinthfl. c. 55–65 (death unrecorded)City treasurer (oikonomos) of Corinth · Corinth
• Evodius of Antiochd. c. 66Bishop of Antioch, after Peter · Antioch
• Hermogenesfl. c. 65 (death unrecorded)Asian believer who turned from Paul · Asia
• Jesus called Justusfl. c. 62 (death unrecorded)Jewish co-worker of Paul at Rome · Rome
• Joseph Barsabbas Justusfl. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Candidate for the Twelfth apostleship · Jerusalem
• Phoebe of Cenchreaefl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)Deacon of Cenchreae · Bearer of Romans · Cenchreae → Rome
• Phygelusfl. c. 65 (death unrecorded)Asian believer who turned from Paul · Asia
• Simon Peterc. 1 – c. 64/68Apostle · Shepherd of the Roman church · Bethsaida → Rome
• Stephanas of Corinthfl. c. 55 (death unrecorded)“Firstfruits of Achaia” · Householder · Corinth
• Thaddaeus of Edessa (Addai)fl. mid-1st c.; d. 1st century (traditional)One of the Seventy · Apostle of Edessa · Jerusalem → Edessa
• The Mother of Rufusfl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)Matron of the Roman church · Rome
• Aquila of Pontusd. later 1st c. (trad., with Prisca)Tent-maker · Host of house churches · Pontus → Rome → Corinth → Ephesus
• Claudia of Romefl. c. 66 (death unrecorded)Believer of the Roman church · Rome
• Demasfl. c. 60–66 (death unrecorded)Co-worker of Paul, who departed · Rome → Thessalonica
• Eubulus of Romefl. c. 66 (death unrecorded)Believer of the Roman church · Rome
• Eunicefl. c. 50 (death unrecorded)Mother of Timothy · Lystra, Lycaonia
• Eutychus of Troasfl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)Young believer restored at Troas · Troas
• Prisca (Priscilla)d. later 1st c. (trad., Rome or Asia)Teacher · Host of house churches on three coasts · Rome → Corinth → Ephesus → Rome
• Pudens of Romefl. c. 66 (death unrecorded)Believer of the Roman church · Rome
• Tychicusfl. c. 57–66 (death unrecorded)Delegate of Asia · Letter-carrier of the captivity epistles · Asia → Rome
• Ananus II (the Younger)d. AD 68 (killed in the revolt)High Priest · Convened the Sanhedrin against James · Jerusalem
• Apphia of Colossaed. c. 68 (trad., with Philemon)“Our sister” of the Colossian house church · Colossae
• Archippusd. c. 68 (trad., with Philemon)Minister of the Lycus valley churches · Colossae / Laodicea
• Bartholomew the Apostled. c. 68–71 (trad., Albanopolis)Apostle of the Twelve · Galilee → Armenia (trad.)
• Emperor Nerod. AD 68 (suicide)Roman Emperor (54–68) · First imperial persecutor · Rome
• John Markc. 12 – c. 68Evangelist · Founder of the church of Alexandria · Jerusalem → Alexandria
• Mnason of Cyprusfl. c. 57 (death unrecorded)“An old disciple” · Host of Paul’s last journey · Cyprus → Jerusalem road
• Nazarius of Milanmartyr of Milan; date uncertain (trad. 1st c.), relics found by Ambrose c. AD 395Martyr · Relics discovered by Ambrose · Milan
• Philemon of Colossaed. c. 68 (trad., martyred under Nero)Householder · Recipient of Paul’s letter · Colossae
• Crescensfl. c. 66 (death unrecorded)Co-worker sent to Galatia · Rome → Galatia
• Ofonius Tigellinusd. AD 69 (forced suicide)Praetorian Prefect of Nero · Instrument of the terror · Rome
• Chloe of Corinthfl. c. 55 (death unrecorded)Householder · Paul’s informant at Corinth · Corinth
• Joseph the Carpenterd. before AD 30 (unrecorded; aged 111 by later tradition)Τέκτων of Nazareth · Husband of Mary · Bethlehem → Nazareth (via Egypt)
• Joseph of Arimatheafl. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Councillor · Buried the body of Jesus · Arimathea → Jerusalem
• Zacharias the Priestfl. c. 5 BC (death unrecorded in Scripture)Priest of the course of Abijah · Father of John the Baptist · the hill country of Judaea → Jerusalem
• Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptistfl. c. 5 BC (death unrecorded)Of the daughters of Aaron · Kinswoman of Mary · the hill country of Judaea
• Nicodemus the Phariseefl. c. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Pharisee · Ruler of the Jews · Teacher of Israel · Jerusalem
• Nathanael of Canafl. c. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Disciple · Called on the second day · Witness of the Resurrection appearance at Tiberias · Cana of Galilee
• Salome the Myrrh-bearerfl. c. AD 30–33 (death unrecorded)Disciple of Galilee · Witness of the crucifixion · Bearer of spices to the tomb · Galilee → Jerusalem
• Mary, mother of James and Josesfl. c. AD 30–33 (death unrecorded)Disciple of Galilee · Witness of the crucifixion and the burial · Bearer of spices to the tomb · Galilee → Jerusalem
• Mary of Clopasfl. c. AD 33 (death unrecorded)Kinswoman of the Virgin · Witness of the crucifixion · Jerusalem
• Susannafl. c. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Benefactor of the ministry · Galilee
• Joses, brother of the Lordfl. c. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Brother of the Lord · Nazareth
• Simon, brother of the Lordfl. c. AD 30 (death unrecorded)Brother of the Lord · Nazareth
• Jairusfl. c. AD 31 (death unrecorded)Ruler of the synagogue · Father of the raised daughter · Capernaum, Galilee
• Bartimaeusfl. c. AD 32 (death unrecorded)Blind beggar of Jericho · Followed Jesus in the way · Jericho
• Herod the Greatc. 73 BC – March/April 4 BCKing of Judaea (37–4 BC) · Builder of the Temple · Jerusalem · Jericho · Caesarea Maritima · Masada · Herodium
• Caesar Augustus63 BC – AD 14First Roman Emperor (27 BC – AD 14) · Rome
• Quirinius (Cyrenius)c. 51 BC – AD 21Legate of Syria · Named by Luke for the census · Antioch, Syria
• Lysanias of Abilenefl. AD 29 (dates otherwise unrecorded)Tetrarch of Abilene · Abilene, in the Anti-Lebanon
• Herod Archelaus23 BC – c. AD 18 (deposed AD 6)Ethnarch of Judaea, Samaria and Idumaea (4 BC – AD 6) · Jerusalem → exile in Gaul
• Herodiasc. 15 BC – after AD 39 (exiled to Gaul)Wife of Herod Antipas · Procured the death of the Baptist · Galilee → exile in Gaul
• Philip the Tetrarchc. 20 BC – AD 34Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis (4 BC – AD 34) · Caesarea Philippi
• Salome, daughter of Herodiasc. AD 14 – c. AD 62 (dates uncertain)Herodian princess · Danced before Herod Antipas · Galilee → Chalcis
• Barabbasfl. AD 30 (released; life otherwise unrecorded)Insurrectionist · Released in place of Christ · Jerusalem
• Claudius Lysiasfl. AD 57–59Tribune of the cohort at Jerusalem · Jerusalem
• Tertullusfl. AD 58Advocate · Prosecutor of Paul before Felix · Caesarea Maritima
• Ananias son of Nedebaeusd. AD 66 (killed at the outbreak of the revolt)High Priest (c. AD 47–59) · Prosecutor of Paul · Jerusalem
• Jesus of Nazarethb. c. 4 BC (before the death of Herod); crucified at Jerusalem c. AD 30–33The Christ · Head of the Church · Bethlehem → Nazareth → Galilee → Jerusalem
• Simeon the God-Receiverfl. c. AD 1; d. shortly after the Presentation, by traditionProphet · Received the Christ in the Temple · Author of the Nunc dimittis · Jerusalem
• Anna the Prophetessfl. c. AD 1, aged 84 (death unrecorded)Prophetess · Daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher · Jerusalem
• Sergius Paulusfl. AD 47 (death unrecorded)Proconsul of Cyprus · First Roman official recorded as believing · Paphos, Cyprus
• Philetusfl. c. AD 65 (death unrecorded)Teacher within the church, named for error · Ephesus (by implication)