Illustration created for this project.
Aristarchus
A Macedonian companion of Paul, seized in the Ephesus riot and a fellow-traveller to Rome.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2
Origin & birthplace
Death & legacy
ScholarlyByzantine church tradition numbers Aristarchus among the Seventy, names him bishop of Apamea in Phrygia, and holds that he was martyred at Rome under Nero. This is late ecclesiastical tradition rather than contemporary documentation.
Later lists of the Seventy and Byzantine synaxaria, framed as tradition.
Name & titles
ScholarlyAristarchos is a common Greek name meaning best ruler, from aristos (best) and archos (ruler/leader). It suits Luke's description of him as a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
Onomastic: Greek etymology (aristos + archos).
Where in scripture
ActsColossiansPhilemonPlaces in their life
Photo: Berthold Werner — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)