The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Anacletus (Cletus) of Rome
d. c. 88 · Bishop of Rome · Rome
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Anacletus (Cletus) of Rome was
Second in the Roman succession after Linus: “Anencletus” in Irenaeus and Eusebius, “Cletus” in other early lists — one man under two forms of one Greek name (“blameless”), though later Roman calendars briefly doubled him. Eusebius gives him twelve years, to the twelfth of Domitian (c. 80–92); the Liberian catalogue’s details about him are late constructions. Between the apostles’ deaths and Clement’s letter, he is the succession’s quiet middle term.
Also listed in the bishops of Rome.
Common questions
When did Anacletus die?
Anacletus (Cletus) of Rome is dated d. c. 88 in the archive, which places Anacletus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Anacletus?
Anacletus (Cletus) of Rome is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Irenaeus of Lyon, Eusebius of Caesarea and The chronographer of 354. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Anacletus from?
The archive associates Anacletus (Cletus) of Rome with Rome.
Who were Anacletus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Anacletus (Cletus) of Rome to 2 other figures, including Linus of Rome and Clement of Rome. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Against Heresies III.3.3 (second in the Roman register)
c. AD 180To him succeeded Anencletus.Irenaeus of Lyon · Against Heresies III.3.3 · source text
Ecclesiastical History III.13
c. AD 325In the twelfth year of the same reign Clement succeeded Anencletus after the latter had been bishop of the church of Rome for twelve years.Eusebius of Caesarea · III.13 · source text
Liberian Catalogue (Chronography of 354), with reign lengths
c. AD 354Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Anacletus.
- 1Rome