Constantiolus
Constantiolus (Template:Lang-el) was a general of the Byzantine Empire, active early in the reign of Justinian I. He succeded Justin in command of Moesia Secunda. A passage of Theophanes the Confessor, incorrectly identifies him as "Constantinus" (Constantine). [1]
Biography
According to John Malalas and Theophanes the Confessor, Constantiolus was a son of Florentius. No details are given about his father, though he could be identified with Florentius, Roman consul in 515. Constantiolus is first mentioned as "Stratelates of Moesia" in 528. He succeeded Justin, [2] who had been killed in battle earlier that year. Justin and Baduarius, Dux of Scythia Minor had joined their forces in battle against a force of foreign invaders. Malalas identifies them as "the Huns", while Theophanes identifies them as Bulgars, invading Scythia and Moesia. [3] It is likely that Constantiolus held the title of "Dux Moesiae Secundae" and the rank of magister militum. [4]
The newly-appointed Constantiolus joined forces with Ascum and Godilas in facing the invaders, who were at the time active in the Diocese of Thrace. The Byzantine army managed to defeat one group of invaders in battle. But they were then ambushed and routed by a secong group of "Huns"/"Bulgars". Both Constantiolus and Ascum were captured by their enemies. The victors ransomed Constantiolus back to Justinian I in exchange for a large sum of coins. Malalas reports a payment of 10,000 Solidi, Theophanes a payment of 1000 solidi. [5]
Constantiolus resurfaces in 531. Belisarius had been defeated at the Battle of Callinicum (19 April, 531). Justinian send Constantiolus to the eastern borders, assigning him to investigate the circumstances of the defeat. Constantiolus traveled through Antioch and questioned various Byzantine commanders on the subject. Among them was magister officiorum Hermogenes, [6] who had served under Belisarius in said battle. [7] Constantiolus returned to Constantinople with his findings. His report probably contributed to the end of Belisarius' service as magister militum per Orientem. Belisarius was replaced by Mundus. [8]
Constantiolus next appears involved in the events of the Nika riots. Constantiolus, Mundus and Basilides served as envoys of Justinian to the rioting crowds. They partly attempted to calm the rioters and partly attempted to understand the causes of their wrath. Their report placed the plame on the unpopular John the Cappadocian, Tribonian and Eudaemon. All three men were removed from office at the time. The event was reporter by both Malalas and the Chronicon Paschale. [9]
References
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 163–164
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), p. 591
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 352–353
Sources
- Martindale, John R.; Jones, A.H.M.; Morris, John (1992), The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire - Volume III, AD 527–641, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521201608
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