The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Martha, daughter of Pusai
d. c. AD 341 (martyr) · Consecrated virgin · Martyr · Seleucia-Ctesiphon (Sasanian Persia)
The Nicene Age
Who Martha, daughter of Pusai was
Daughter of the king’s chief artisan, executed with her father on the accusation of unnamed informers. Sozomen records her without a name — only as the daughter who had devoted herself to a life of holy virginity; the Syriac Acts of her father call her Martha. The archive enters her under the Syriac name and records the Greek silence rather than concealing it.
Named once in the sources within the horizon; no other ancient witness names her.
Also listed in martyrs and women.
Common questions
When did Martha, daughter die?
Martha, daughter of Pusai is dated d. c. AD 341 (martyr) in the archive, which places Martha, daughter in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). 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 Martha, daughter?
Martha, daughter of Pusai is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Sozomen. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Martha, daughter from?
The archive associates Martha, daughter of Pusai with Seleucia-Ctesiphon (Sasanian Persia).
Who were Martha, daughter’s contemporaries?
The archive links Martha, daughter of Pusai to 2 other figures, including Pusai and Shapur II. 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.
Ecclesiastical History II.11 (the persecution under Shapur II)
c. AD 445On the charge of some persons, his daughter, who had devoted herself to a life of holy virginity, was arraigned and executed at the same time.Sozomen · Ecclesiastical History II.11 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Martha, daughter.