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Linus of Rome

c. 16* – c. 76 · b. Tuscany · Bishop of Rome

* Date marked with an asterisk is a placeholder estimate (lifespan heuristic), not a sourced claim. Hover for the derivation.

bishopmartyr

Listed by Irenaeus and Eusebius as the first bishop of Rome after Peter and Paul. Often identified with the Linus greeted in 2 Timothy 4:21.

Chain to Jesus

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Common questions

Who was Linus of Rome?
Linus of Rome (?–76) — Listed by Irenaeus and Eusebius as the first bishop of Rome after Peter and Paul. Often identified with the Linus greeted in 2 Timothy 4:21.
Who did Linus of Rome succeed as bishop of Rome?
Peter.
Who succeeded Linus of Rome as bishop of Rome?
Anacletus of Rome.

Sources for biography

  • Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3.3.3 primary
  • Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3.2, 3.13 primary
  • 2 Timothy 4:21 primary

tradition connections(2)

  • succeeded in see Peter
    Irenaeus' succession list names Linus as the man to whom 'the apostles' (Peter and Paul) committed the Roman episcopate. Episcopal succession lists for 1st-c Rome were reconstructed by Irenaeus c. 180 (Adv. Haer. 3.3); not contemporaneously attested.
    Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3.3.3 · Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3.2
  • succeeded in see (incoming) Anacletus of Rome
    Roman succession list reconstructed by Irenaeus c. 180; no contemporaneous attestation.
    Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3.3.3 · Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3.13

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