The Acts of the Martyrs recounting the story of Chrysanthus and Daria have been documented in Greek and Latin versions by authors like Armenius, dating back to the fifth century. However, according to Johann Peter Kirsch in the Catholic Encyclopedia, these accounts are deemed to lack historical accuracy.

Legend has it that Chrysanthus, the sole son of an Egyptian noble named Polemius or Poleon, lived during the reign of Numerian. After relocating from Alexandria to Rome, Chrysanthus received an education befitting his status but grew disillusioned with the lavish lifestyle of Roman society. Turning to the Acts of the Apostles, he embraced Christianity and was baptized by Carpophorus, a priest.
 

Chrysanthus's conversion displeased his father, who sought to counter it by arranging a marriage between Chrysanthus and Daria, a Roman priestess of Minerva, or according to other accounts, a Vestal Virgin. Despite his father's intentions, Chrysanthus converted Daria to Christianity, and they both committed to celibacy while spreading their faith among Romans.

Upon learning of their activities, Claudius, the tribune, arrested and tortured Chrysanthus. Impressed by Chrysanthus's resilience, Claudius, along with his wife Hilaria, two sons Maurus and Jason, and seventy soldiers, also embraced Christianity. In retaliation, the Emperor had Claudius drowned, his sons executed, and his wife hanged. Daria, unable to be executed due to her virgin status, faced various forms of torment, including being defended by a lioness. Eventually, she met her demise by orders of Numerian, possibly buried alive beside her husband.

Their bodies were interred in a sand pit near the Via Salaria Nova in Rome's catacombs. The surviving Acts recount that on the anniversary of their deaths, Roman persecutors buried a gathering of Christians alive in their underground crypt, including Diodorus, a priest, and Marianus, a deacon.

Regarding historical evidence, a scientific examination conducted in 2011 by a team of scholars, led by paleopathologist Ezio Fulcheri from the University of Genoa, found the remains of a young male aged 17 to 18 and a female aged 20 to 25, dating between 80 and 340 AD. The bones exhibited high lead concentrations, suggesting affluence, as only the wealthy had access to lead pipes for water supply. No signs of violence or illness were observed, indicating death possibly by suffocation.

Various locations claim possession of Chrysanthus and Daria's relics, including Bad Münstereifel in Germany, Belli Locus (Beaulieu-lès-Loches) in France, and the cathedral of Reggio Emilia in Italy. Scientific analysis of some bones in Reggio Emilia confirmed their origin as those of a young man and woman from the late teens, with radiocarbon dating aligning with the historical timeframe of Chrysanthus and Daria.