# Anterus

> Pope and Bishop of Rome from 235 to 236

**Wikidata**: [Q132100](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132100)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Anterus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/anterus

## Summary
Anterus was a Pope and Bishop of Rome from 235 to 236, serving as a leader of the early Christian Church during a period of persecution. Recognized as a saint, his brief papacy and martyrdom are noted in historical records, though details of his life remain limited. He is venerated for his role in the succession of Roman Catholic leadership.

## Biography
- **Born**: Unknown date and place  
- **Nationality**: Roman Empire  
- **Known for**: Serving as Pope and Bishop of Rome (235–236)  
- **Employer(s)**: Catholic Church  
- **Field(s)**: Religious leadership  

## Contributions
Anterus’ primary contribution was his leadership as Pope during a critical period in early Christianity. His tenure, though brief, maintained the continuity of the papacy amid political and religious turmoil. He is recognized as a martyr and saint, with his feast day commemorated on January 3, the date of his death in 236.

## FAQs
- **Q: How long was Anterus Pope?**  
  A: Anterus served as Pope for approximately one year, from 235 until his death in 236.  

- **Q: Why is Anterus considered a saint?**  
  A: He is venerated as a martyr due to his leadership during a time of persecution, though specific details of his death are not extensively documented.  

- **Q: What historical records mention Anterus?**  
  A: He is included in early martyrologies and catalogs of popes, such as the *Liber Pontificalis*, which notes his burial in Rome.  

## Why They Matter
Anterus’ significance lies in his role as a early Christian leader during a period of imperial persecution. His papacy, though brief, underscores the resilience of the Church’s institutional structure. As a martyr, he embodies the sacrifices made by early Christians, and his inclusion in official martyrologies ensured his legacy as a figure of devotion. Without figures like Anterus, the historical continuity of the papacy and the documentation of early Christian struggles would be less complete.

## Notable For
- Served as Pope during the reign of Emperor Maximinus Thrax.  
- Recognized as a saint and martyr in the Roman Catholic Church.  
- Feast day celebrated on January 3.  
- Documented in the *Liber Pontificalis* and early Christian catalogs.  

## Body
### Papacy and Historical Context  
Anterus was elected Pope in 235, succeeding Pontian, who had been exiled during the persecution under Emperor Maximinus Thrax. His papacy occurred during a time of intense political instability and anti-Christian sentiment. While specific actions or writings from his tenure are not preserved, his leadership ensured the continued functioning of the Roman Church.  

### Death and Legacy  
Anterus died on January 3, 236, while still in office. Early sources, including the *Liber Pontificalis*, indicate he was buried in Rome, though the exact location of his tomb is unknown. His death during a period of persecution led to his veneration as a martyr.  

### Sainthood and Veneration  
Anterus is recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, with his feast day listed in martyrologies such as the *Roman Martyrology*. His sainthood reflects his role as a leader during a time of hardship for early Christians.  

### Historical Records  
Anterus is documented in several key historical and academic sources:  
- **Image**: A depiction of Anterus is attributed to Pietro Perugino (file: *Pietro Perugino – Anterus.jpg*).  
- **Identifiers**: He is cataloged in international authority files, including VIAF (119222388), GND (119222388), and the Library of Congress (nb2007022844).  
- **Archival References**: His name appears in specialized databases such as the *Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche* (LThK) and the *Catholic Encyclopedia*.  

### Challenges in Documentation  
Due to the limited survival of contemporary records from the 3rd century, many details of Anterus’ life, such as his birthplace and pre-papal career, remain unknown. His legacy is primarily preserved through later ecclesiastical traditions and martyrological accounts.  

### Connection to Early Christianity  
As one of the early popes, Anterus represents the evolving structure of the Christian Church in Rome. His brief tenure highlights the challenges faced by religious leaders during periods of imperial hostility, contributing to the broader narrative of Christian endurance in antiquity.

## References

1. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
2. datos.bne.es
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. CERL Thesaurus
5. Quora
6. FactGrid
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. HMML Authority File