The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Gorgonius of Nicomedia
d. AD 303 (strangled) · Imperial chamberlain · Martyr of Nicomedia · Nicomedia
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Gorgonius of Nicomedia was
Dorotheus's companion in the imperial bedchamber and in death — strangled after tortures with others of the household 'who had been deemed worthy of the highest honour by their masters, and loved by them as their own children.'
Also listed in martyrs and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Gorgonius die?
Gorgonius of Nicomedia is dated d. AD 303 (strangled) in the archive, which places Gorgonius in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Gorgonius?
Gorgonius of Nicomedia is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea, The chronographer of 354 and Damasus of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Gorgonius from?
The archive associates Gorgonius of Nicomedia with Nicomedia.
Who were Gorgonius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Gorgonius of Nicomedia to 2 other figures, including Dorotheus the Chamberlain and Emperor Diocletian. 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.
Ecclesiastical History VIII.6
c. AD 325After Dorotheus, Gorgonius and Peter and many others of the royal household, after manifold sufferings, ended their lives by strangling, and bore away the trophies of God-given victory.Eusebius of Caesarea · VIII.6 · source text
Depositio martyrum: 'Gorgoni in Lavicana'
c. AD 354Gorgoni in Lavicana — Gorgonius, on the Labican Way.The chronographer of 354 · Depositio martyrum · source text
The Damasan epigram Ferrua 32, catacomb of Petrus and Marcellinus, cut by Furius Dionysius Filocalus
c. AD 375[Damasus set a verse epitaph at this tomb; the epigram is an epigraphic attestation additional to the literary record.]Damasus of Rome · Damasan epigram, Ferrua 32, catacomb of Petrus and Marcellinus · 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 Gorgonius.