They were "wealthy matrons"[1] who helped imprisoned Christians by providing them with food, money, and other necessities.
[2] They were "arrested for their generosity"[1] and beheaded by the sword in Rome in 252, probably during the persecution conducted by Roman emperor Decius.
[1][3] Basilissa was described as "a rich lady of Galatia in Asia Minor, was distinguished for her charitable zeal".
[2] Hagiographer Agnes Dunbar said this about them: "Both avowing their belief in Christ, and steadfastly refusing to sacrifice to the idols, they were tortured and beheaded".
They also say that the women were part of the five companions of Trajan's daughter Drozella (also known as Drosis).