The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Rheus Agathopus
fl. c. 108 (death unrecorded) · Companion of Ignatius from Syria · Syria → Troas
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Rheus Agathopus was
A Syrian who left his own province to follow Ignatius on the road to martyrdom, “bidding farewell to this life,” the bishop says — proof that the God-bearer’s witness had already made disciples before it reached the arena. Named always beside the deacon Philo as the pair who ministered to Ignatius when others held back.
Common questions
When was Rheus Agathopus active?
Rheus Agathopus is dated fl. c. 108 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Rheus Agathopus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). 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 Rheus Agathopus?
Rheus Agathopus is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Ignatius of Antioch. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Rheus Agathopus from?
The archive associates Rheus Agathopus with Syria, Troas. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Rheus Agathopus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Rheus Agathopus to 2 other figures, including Ignatius of Antioch and Philo of Cilicia. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
To the Smyrnaeans 10.1 (with Philo, followed me in the cause of God)
c. AD 107Ye have done well in receiving Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God, who followed me for the sake of God.Ignatius of Antioch · To the Smyrnaeans 10 · source text
To the Philadelphians 11
c. AD 108…Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who followeth me from Syria, having bidden farewell to this life.Ignatius of Antioch · 11 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Rheus Agathopus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.