The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313

Achilleus of Domitilla

d. late third or early fourth century (martyr) · Martyr of Rome · the catacomb of Domitilla, Rome

The Ante-Nicene Church

Who Achilleus of Domitilla was

Named with Nereus in Damasus’ epigram at the basilica over the Domitilla catacomb, and in the Chronograph of 354. As with his companion, the epigram is the whole of the early evidence and the later Acts add nothing but story.

Verified single attestation

Named once, in a verse epigram Damasus of Rome set at the tomb between 366 and 384. The epigram is the ONLY early evidence — the later Passions derive from it, not the reverse.

Also listed in martyrs.

Common questions

When did Achilleus die?

Achilleus of Domitilla is dated d. late third or early fourth century (martyr) in the archive, which places Achilleus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).

Which early sources mention Achilleus?

Achilleus of Domitilla is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Damasus of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Achilleus from?

The archive associates Achilleus of Domitilla with the catacomb of Domitilla, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.

Who were Achilleus’ contemporaries?

The archive links Achilleus of Domitilla to 3 other figures, including Nereus of Domitilla, Damasus I of Rome and Petronilla. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

Primary-source mentions (1)

Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

The Damasan epigram Ferrua 8, basilica of Nereus and Achilleus at Domitilla, cut by Furius Dionysius Filocalus

c. AD 375
[Named with Nereus as a soldier who abandoned his arms for Christ.]
Damasus of Rome · Damasan epigram, Ferrua 8, basilica of Nereus and Achilleus at Domitilla · source text

Connected in the archive

People

Events in this lifetime

Place

Places served

The one place the sources put Achilleus.

  1. 1Rome

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