The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Bassus of Magnesia
attested AD 107 (death unrecorded) · Presbyter of Magnesia · Magnesia on the Maeander
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Bassus of Magnesia was
One of the two presbyters of Magnesia named by Ignatius beside the young bishop Damas — a rare glimpse of a local presbyterate caught by name in the earliest years of the second century.
Ignatius only (To the Magnesians 2).
Common questions
When was Bassus active?
Bassus of Magnesia is dated attested AD 107 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Bassus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130).
Which early sources mention Bassus?
Bassus of Magnesia is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Ignatius of Antioch. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Bassus from?
The archive associates Bassus of Magnesia with Magnesia on the Maeander.
Who were Bassus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Bassus of Magnesia to 4 other figures, including Damas of Magnesia, Ignatius of Antioch, Apronianus of Magnesia and Bassus. 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.
To the Magnesians 2
c. AD 108I was permitted to see you in the person of Damas your godly bishop, and the worthy presbyters Bassus and Apronianus, and my fellow-servant the deacon Zotion.Ignatius of Antioch · Magnesians · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
- AD 112 · Pliny writes Trajan, AD 112
- AD 117 · Symeon and Ignatius martyred, AD 117
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Bassus.