The Apologists · AD 130–180
Euelpistus
d. c. 165 · Martyr · Imperial slave · Companion of Justin · Cappadocia → Rome
The Apologists
Who Euelpistus was
A slave of the emperor’s household, born in Cappadocia, who told the court he had “received the faith from my parents” yet gladly learned more from Justin. His confession is a vivid social snapshot: the gospel established inside Caesar’s own service, handed down in a slave family, and reinforced by the philosopher’s school. Beheaded with the rest.
Acts of Justin only.
Also listed in martyrs and under marcus aurelius.
Common questions
When did Euelpistus die?
Euelpistus is dated d. c. 165 in the archive, which places Euelpistus in the Apologists (AD 130–180). 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 Euelpistus?
Euelpistus is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Court transcript (Recension A). Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Euelpistus from?
The archive associates Euelpistus with Cappadocia, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Euelpistus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Euelpistus to 5 other figures, including Justin Martyr, Hierax, Paeon and Charito. 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.
Acts of Justin and Companions 4
c. AD 165Euelpistus, a slave of Caesar, said, ‘I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ I partake of the same hope.’Court transcript (Recension A) · 4 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 135 · Bar Kokhba crushed; Aelia Capitolina, AD 135
- AD 144 · Marcion expelled at Rome, AD 144
- AD 156 · The New Prophecy erupts, AD 156
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Euelpistus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.
- 1Cappadociaprovince only
- 2Rome