The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Viatrix
d. early fourth century (martyr) · Martyr of Rome · the cemetery of Generosa, Rome
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Viatrix was
Named with Faustinus on the broken Damasan epigram at the cemetery of Generosa. Her name also appears as Beatrix in the later tradition, which is a Latin re-spelling rather than a different person; the earlier form is the one on the stone.
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 and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Viatrix die?
Viatrix is dated d. early fourth century (martyr) in the archive, which places Viatrix in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Viatrix?
Viatrix 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 Viatrix from?
The archive associates Viatrix with the cemetery of Generosa, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Viatrix’s contemporaries?
The archive links Viatrix to 3 other figures, including Faustinus of the Generosa epigram, Damasus I of Rome and Furius Dionysius Filocalus. 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 6, cemetery of Generosa, cut by Furius Dionysius Filocalus at the martyr’s tomb
c. AD 375[Named with Faustinus on the surviving fragment.]Damasus of Rome · Damasan epigram, Ferrua 6, cemetery of Generosa · 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 Viatrix.
- 1Rome