[1] According to tradition, he was a Roman[1] or a Persian of royal descent[2] who was sent to evangelize Gaul either by Saint Clement in the 1st century or by Pope Fabian in the 250s as a companion of Saint Denis.

He lived as a hermit near Saintes and converted to Christianity the governor's daughter, Saint Eustella or Eustelle.

According to tradition, the governor was so enraged by his daughter's conversion that he had both her and Eutropius killed.

Eutropius was killed by having his head split open with an axe.

[2] In the 6th century, the poet Venantius Fortunatus refers to Eutropius in connection with Saintes.