Papias of Hierapolis
Also: Papias
Born perhaps between 60 and 80; the place is not known. Died perhaps between 120 and 140; the place is not known.
Bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor. He collected sayings about Jesus from people who had heard the first disciples.
Wrote in Greek. A major author.
Places lived
- 100 to 130Hierapolis (now Pamukkale, Turkey)bishopyears not sure
Works
1 work, in the order they were written. 1 work can be read here.
- FragmentsWhat is left of five books that explained the sayings of the Lord, kept in quotations by later writers.2,987 words
How we know the dates and places
- Born not sure
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.33.4 calls him a hearer of John and a friend of Polycarp. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Papias'.
- Place of birth not known
- No ancient source names a place.
- Died not sure
- No ancient source. Scholars date his book between about 100 and 130, and his death soon after.
- Place of death not known
- No reliable source. A late story of martyrdom at Pergamum is not accepted.
- Hierapolis, years not sure
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.33.4; Eusebius, Church History 3.36 and 3.39
- Hierapolis, place sure
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.33.4; Eusebius, Church History 3.36 and 3.39