Potamiana was an early 3rd-century Christian martyr from Alexandria who studied under Origen. According to tradition, she and her mother, Marcella, faced execution by being slowly submerged in boiling pitch. Before her death, she was threatened with sexual violence by gladiators, a circumstance that led to her being honored as a patroness for victims of rape. During her execution, a Roman officer named Basilides showed her kindness, prompting her to promise him heavenly intercession.