The Acts and Martyrdom of Apollonius is an anonymous early Christian text from the 2nd century CE. It belongs to the Roman era and is written in Christian Koine Greek. The work is a prose narrative detailing the trial and execution of Apollonius, who is presented as a Roman senator and Christian philosopher during the reign of Emperor Commodus.
The text portrays Apollonius as a learned man who defends his faith in a sophisticated speech before the Roman prefect and Senate after being denounced. According to modern scholars, the account's historical accuracy is uncertain. The figure of Apollonius is not mentioned by other early church historians, leading many to view the story as a later legendary composition, though it may contain some historical tradition. It survives in Greek and was translated into Syriac, Armenian, and Latin.
Academics consider the text significant within early Christian martyr literature. It is notable for featuring an aristocratic martyr who engages in philosophical debate, reflecting an attempt to present Christianity as intellectually respectable to the Roman elite. Scholars study it for insights into how early Christians shaped their identity and narratives within the Roman world.
Available Works
Sources
- Britannica Entry (Encyclopædia Britannica) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- Stanford Encyclopedia Entry (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- World History Encyclopedia Entry (World History Encyclopedia) Accessed: 2026-01-26