The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Eutychius the Martyr
d. early fourth century (martyr) · Martyr of Rome · Rome
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Eutychius the Martyr was
A martyr of the Diocletianic persecution known essentially only from Damasus’ epigram at the catacomb of Callixtus, which describes twelve days without food, torture and a well. No independent narrative of his death survives, and the torture sequence appears nowhere else in ancient literature. Distinct from Eutychius the bishop who signed at Antioch in 268, and from Eutychian of Basti who subscribed at Elvira.
Named once, in a verse epigram Damasus of Rome set at the tomb between 366 and 384. The epigram is the ONLY early evidence — the later Passions derive from it, not the reverse.
Also listed in martyrs and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Eutychius die?
Eutychius the Martyr is dated d. early fourth century (martyr) in the archive, which places Eutychius in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Eutychius?
Eutychius the Martyr is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Damasus of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Eutychius from?
The archive associates Eutychius the Martyr with Rome.
Who were Eutychius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Eutychius the Martyr to 2 other figures, including Damasus I of Rome and Furius Dionysius Filocalus. 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 Damasan epigram Ferrua 21, catacomb of Callixtus, cut by Furius Dionysius Filocalus at the martyr’s tomb
c. AD 375[Damasus records the imprisonment, the twelve days without food, the tortures, and the body cast into a well.]Damasus of Rome · Damasan epigram, Ferrua 21, catacomb of Callixtus · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 235 · Maximinus Thrax targets the clergy, AD 235
- 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Eutychius.
- 1Rome