The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Miltiades (Melchiades) of Rome
d. 314 · Bishop of Rome · Pope of the Peace · Rome
The Nicene Age
Who Miltiades (Melchiades) of Rome was
The African-born bishop of Rome under whom the persecution ended and the church came into the light: he received back the confiscated properties under Maxentius’s restitution, saw Constantine take the city in 312, was given the empress Fausta’s Lateran palace — the papacy’s home for a millennium — and presided there in 313 over the first hearing of the Donatist appeal, acquitting Caecilian of Carthage. Augustine praised his handling of it: “an excellent man, a true son of the peace of the church.” The pope on whose watch the catacombs gave way to the basilicas.
Also listed in the bishops of Rome.
Common questions
When did Miltiades die?
Miltiades (Melchiades) of Rome is dated d. 314 in the archive, which places Miltiades in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Miltiades?
Miltiades (Melchiades) of Rome is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea, Optatus of Milevis and Augustine of Hippo. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Miltiades from?
The archive associates Miltiades (Melchiades) of Rome with Rome.
Who were Miltiades’ contemporaries?
The archive links Miltiades (Melchiades) of Rome to 7 other figures, including Marcellus I of Rome, Sylvester I of Rome, Constantine the Great and Donatus of Carthage. 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 X.5.18 (Constantine's letter convoking the Lateran hearing, addressed to him)
c. AD 325I have thought good that Caecilianus himself should sail to Rome, there to be heard in the presence of Miltiades, bishop of Rome.Eusebius of Caesarea · Ecclesiastical History X.5 · source text
Against Parmenian the Donatist I.23–24 (his judgment of 313 recorded)
c. AD 367Letter 43.5
c. AD 410An excellent man, a true son of the peace of the Church, and a true father of the Christian people.Augustine of Hippo · source text
Connected in the archive
People
- Marcellus I of Rome
- Sylvester I of Rome
- Constantine the Great
- Donatus of Carthage
- Maternus of Cologne
- Reticius of Autun
- Caecilian of Carthage
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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Miltiades.
- 1Rome