[2] The Roman Martyrologium and the historical Martyrologies of Bede and his imitators place the feast on this date.
Three seventh century Itineraries make explicit reference to his grave, and Pope Adrian I restored the church built over it (De Rossi, Roma Sotterranea, I, 178–79).
The legend of the martyrdom of Nereus and Achilleus introduces him as a presbyter and places his death at the end of the first century.
[3] Butler says he "...was apprehended in the persecution of Domitian for his assiduity in assisting the martyrs in their conflicts, and for interring their bodies.
"[4] Other recensions of the martyrdom of Nicomedes ascribe the sentence of death to the Emperor Maximianus (beginning of the fourth century).