The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Nereus of Domitilla
d. late third or early fourth century (martyr) · Martyr of Rome · the catacomb of Domitilla, Rome
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Nereus of Domitilla was
One of the two martyrs whose basilica stood over the catacomb of Domitilla, and for whom Damasus wrote a verse epitaph. The epigram is the earliest evidence for the cult, and it says almost nothing about them beyond that they were soldiers who threw down their arms. The later Acts of Nereus and Achilleus, which make them eunuchs of Domitilla and attach Petronilla to them, are a fifth- or sixth-century romance with no independent value. Distinct from the Nereus greeted in Romans 16, who is already in the archive.
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.
Common questions
When did Nereus die?
Nereus of Domitilla is dated d. late third or early fourth century (martyr) in the archive, which places Nereus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Nereus?
Nereus of Domitilla 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 Nereus from?
The archive associates Nereus of Domitilla with the catacomb of Domitilla, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Nereus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Nereus of Domitilla to 4 other figures, including Achilleus of Domitilla, Damasus I of Rome, Petronilla and Nereus and His Sister. 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 8, basilica of Nereus and Achilleus at Domitilla, cut by Furius Dionysius Filocalus
c. AD 375[Damasus records that Nereus and Achilleus had been soldiers, and that they threw away their shields and arms when they turned to Christ.]Damasus of Rome · Damasan epigram, Ferrua 8, basilica of Nereus and Achilleus at Domitilla · source text
Names proposed by later tradition
Eunuchs in the household of Flavia Domitilla
The tradition of the apocryphal Acts of Nereus and Achilleus (5th–6th c.), which also attaches Petronilla to them. It has no ancient support and the archive records it as legend.
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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Nereus.
- 1Rome