Antiochus of Sulcis

Who was Antiochus of Sulcis?

Saint Antiochus of Sulcis 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, inhospitable and isolated during this period, was named Plumbaria at the time, after its source of lead. 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.