Antiochus of Sulcis
Encyclopedia
Saint Antiochus of Sulcis (died c. 127 AD) was an early Christian
martyr
of Sardinia
. The island
and town of Sant'Antioco
are named after him. He is a figure associated with the Sardinian mines
from which the Romans
extracted minerals and precious metals; the Romans condemned prisoners of war and Christians to work these mines.
Antiochus' legend states that he was condemned to work the mines on the island that now bears his name. The island, at the time inhospitable and isolated, was named Plumbaria at the time, after its source of lead
(plumbum). His legend also states that he was a physician during the reign of Hadrian
. He had converted many people in Cappadocia
and Galatia
to the Christian religion, and was therefore tortured and sent into exile
by the authorities. Antiochus, however, converted his jailer Cyriacus at Sardinia, and had built a small underground oratory
on Plumbaria, and was thus condemned to death there.
rather than at Sardinia.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
of Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
. The island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
and town of Sant'Antioco
Sant'Antioco
Sant'Antioco is the name of both an island and a municipality in southwestern Sardinia, in the Province of Carbonia-Iglesias, in Sulcis zone. With a population of 11,730, the municipality of Sant'Antioco it is the island's largest community...
are named after him. He is a figure associated with the Sardinian mines
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
from which the Romans
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
extracted minerals and precious metals; the Romans condemned prisoners of war and Christians to work these mines.
Antiochus' legend states that he was condemned to work the mines on the island that now bears his name. The island, at the time inhospitable and isolated, was named Plumbaria at the time, after its source of lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
(plumbum). His legend also states that he was a physician during the reign of Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
. He had converted many people in Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
and Galatia
Galatia
Ancient Galatia was an area in the highlands of central Anatolia in modern Turkey. Galatia was named for the immigrant Gauls from Thrace , who settled here and became its ruling caste in the 3rd century BC, following the Gallic invasion of the Balkans in 279 BC. It has been called the "Gallia" of...
to the Christian religion, and was therefore tortured and sent into exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
by the authorities. Antiochus, however, converted his jailer Cyriacus at Sardinia, and had built a small underground oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
on Plumbaria, and was thus condemned to death there.
Veneration
Some sources state that he was martyred with Cyriacus at SebasteElaiussa Sebaste
Elaiussa Sebaste or Elaeousa Sebaste was an ancient Roman town located from Mersin in the direction of Silifke in Cilicia on the southern coast of Anatolia . Elaiussa, meaning olive, was founded in the 2nd century B.C...
rather than at Sardinia.