# Martyrdom of James, son of Zebedee (44)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/44-martyrdom-of-james-son-of-zebedee
Location: Jerusalem, Judea
Themes: Persecution

Herod Agrippa I has the apostle James beheaded, the first of the Twelve to be martyred. At this point in the timeline (44), the Bishop of Rome was Saint Peter (c. 30 – c. 64). Dates for the earliest bishops of Rome are traditional and uncertain.

## Why it matters
Martyrdom of James, son of Zebedee mattered because it shows how Christians and others suffered for faith and how violence shaped the church's memory and identity.

Pope at the time: [Saint Peter](https://christianity-history.com/popes/saint-peter)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — James the Great](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Great)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Martyrdom of James, son of Zebedee](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Martyrdom+of+James%2C+son+of+Zebedee)
- [Wikipedia — Apostolic Age (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Age)