The Nicene Age · AD 313–400 · External witness
Domitius Zenophilus
consularis of Numidia AD 320 (death unrecorded) · Consularis of Numidia · Presiding judge · Numidia (the governor’s court at Cirta)
External witness
Who Domitius Zenophilus was
Governor of Numidia, before whom the deacon Nundinarius brought the case against Silvanus on 13 December 320. He ran the hearing as a governor and not a theologian — documents first, then witnesses, then a finding — and the transcript of his questioning is the fullest surviving record of how a Roman court handled an internal Christian dispute. His verdict on the central charge stands in the acts.
Named once, in the Gesta apud Zenophilum — the Cirta records of 19 May 303 and 13 December 320; no other ancient source names him.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses.
Common questions
When did Domitius Zenophilus live?
Domitius Zenophilus is dated consularis of Numidia AD 320 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Domitius Zenophilus in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Domitius Zenophilus?
Domitius Zenophilus is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Gesta apud Zenophilum. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Domitius Zenophilus from?
The archive associates Domitius Zenophilus with Numidia (the governor’s court at Cirta).
Who were Domitius Zenophilus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Domitius Zenophilus to 4 other figures, including Silvanus of Cirta, Nundinarius, Sextus of Thamugadi and Constantine the Great. 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 trial before Domitius Zenophilus, 13 December 320
c. AD 320Zenophilus said: ‘From the Acts and letters which have been read aloud, it is clear that Silvanus is a Betrayer.’Gesta apud Zenophilum · Gesta apud Zenophilum, trial of 13 December 320 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Named alongside Domitius Zenophilus in the sources
These figures are placed with Domitius Zenophilus by the record — in a council roll, a martyr-act, a letter or a history — without Domitius Zenophilus naming them in return.
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
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Domitius Zenophilus.
- 1Numidiaprovince only