The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Agapius of Caesarea
d. AD 306 (thrown to the beasts) · Martyr of the Caesarean amphitheatre · Caesarea Maritima
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Agapius of Caesarea was
The confessor kept back three times from the arena with the promise of release if he would recant, and at last carried round the amphitheatre before Maximinus himself on a festival day — a bear was loosed on him, and the next day, still breathing, he was cast into the sea with stones tied to his feet. Eusebius watched the crowd cheer and recorded the accounting: one man's steadiness against an emperor's birthday games.
Martyrs of Palestine 6 only.
Also listed in martyrs, roman emperors and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Agapius die?
Agapius of Caesarea is dated d. AD 306 (thrown to the beasts) in the archive, which places Agapius in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Agapius?
Agapius of Caesarea is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Agapius from?
The archive associates Agapius of Caesarea with Caesarea Maritima.
Who were Agapius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Agapius of Caesarea to 2 other figures, including Eusebius of Caesarea and Emperor Maximinus Daza. 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.
Martyrs of Palestine 6 (with the Ecclesiastical History)
c. AD 325He was borne round the amphitheatre… crying out that the charge against him was not any crime, but the religion of the Maker of the universe; then, mangled by the bear, he was cast alive into the depths of the sea.Eusebius of Caesarea · MP 6 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
- AD 251 · The Novatianist schism, AD 251
- AD 257 · The Valerian persecution, AD 257
- AD 260 · Gallienus’ edict of toleration, AD 260
- AD 268 · Antioch deposes Paul of Samosata, AD 268
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Agapius.