Phileas of Thmuis

Also: Phileas, Phileas the Martyr

Born perhaps in Thmuis (now Tell Timai, Egypt); the year is not known. Died probably between 305 and 307, probably in Alexandria, Egypt.

Bishop of Thmuis in the Nile Delta, a rich and learned man who was put in prison at Alexandria and beheaded there in the Great Persecution.

Wrote in Greek.

Places lived

2 works, in the order they were written. 2 works can be read here.

Letter to the People of Thmuis, and Letter of Four Bishops to Meletiusbetween 303 and 306 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · letterA letter that tells his flock how the martyrs of Alexandria suffered, and a letter of four jailed bishops that rebukes Meletius for ordaining in their churches.1,476 words
Letters (fragments)about 303 to 307 · probably in Alexandria, Egypt · letterPart of a letter from prison to his people on the tortures of the martyrs at Alexandria, and a letter of four bishops to Meletius of Lycopolis.2,926 words

How we know the dates and places

Born not known: Eusebius, Church History 8.9-10 and Jerome, On Illustrious Men 78 give no year; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phileas_of_Thmuis
Place of birth not sure: Jerome, On Illustrious Men 78 (of a noble family of Thmuis); Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/727249 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Died probable: Eusebius, Church History 8.9-10 and 8.13; Acts of Phileas (4 February; the year is 305, 306 or 307); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phileas_of_Thmuis
Place of death probable: Eusebius, Church History 8.10; Acts of Phileas; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/727070 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Thmuis, years not sure: Eusebius, Church History 8.9; the year he became bishop is not known
Thmuis, place sure: Eusebius, Church History 8.9-10; Jerome, On Illustrious Men 78; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/727249 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Alexandria, years not sure: Eusebius, Church History 8.10; the prison years fall between the edicts of 303 and his death
Alexandria, place probable: Eusebius, Church History 8.10; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/727070 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)