The author of the Martyrium Carpi is unknown, writing in Greek during the Roman Empire between the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. They belonged to the early Christian tradition and composed a single surviving work: an account of the martyrdom of three Christians named Carpus, Papylus, and Agathonice. The text presents itself as an eyewitness report of their trial and execution in the Roman province of Asia, but the compiler's precise identity is not known.

The date of the events described is uncertain. While traditionally placed in the 2nd century, some scholars suggest a later date in the mid-3rd century. The narrative details the conflict between Christian refusal to honor the Roman imperial cult and the demands of provincial authorities. The work survives in two distinct versions: a shorter text and a longer, more elaborated recension.

According to modern scholars, this martyrdom account is a significant early example of Christian literature that helped shape community identity and theology. It provides stylized but valuable evidence of Roman judicial procedures against Christians. The text has drawn particular academic attention for its inclusion of the female martyr Agathonice, who voluntarily joins the execution, prompting interpretations about gender and agency in early Christian stories. Its transmission in multiple forms shows how such narratives were adapted over time for inspiration and teaching within Christian communities.