Ascum
Ascum | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Ασκούμ or Ακούμ |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance | Byzantine Empire |
| Service/ | Byzantine Army |
| Rank | Stratelates of Illyricum (Magister militum per Illyricum) |
| Unit | Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum |
| Battles/wars | Defeat of Huns/Bulgars invasion of Thrace (528) |
| Relations | Godson of Justinian I |
Ascum (Greek: Ασκούμ) was a general of the Byzantine Empire, active early in the reign of Justinian I (r. 527–565). He was in command of the Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum. His name is reported by John Malalas. Both Theophanes the Confessor and George Kedrenos render his name "Ακούμ" (Acum).[1]
Biography
Ascum first appears in 528, already holding the title of stratelates of Illyricum (Greek: ὁ τοῦ 'Ιλλυρικοῦ στρατηλάτης). His title in Latin would be magister militum per Illyricum.[1]
In 528, Ascum joined forces with
Shortly after their victory, the Byzantine forces were ambushed and routed by a second group of invaders. Both Ascum and Constantiolus were captured in this battle. While Constantiolus was ransomed back to the Byzantines, Ascum "was carried off into captivity". He is not mentioned again and his eventual fate is unknown.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), p. 136
- ^ Malalas, John; Croke, Brian (1986). The Chronicle of John Malalas. Australian Association for Byzantine Studies. p. 254. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ISBN 9781526760913. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ISBN 9780860786320.
- ISBN 9781107009066. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ Amory, p.484 : "Other Byzantine officers active in the Balkans and bearing Germanic names included Baduarius dux Scythiae, Ascum MVM per Illyricum ... and Chilbudius MVM per Thracias"
- ISBN 9781317340911. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ISBN 9789630513999. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), p. 163-164
- ^ Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), pp. 748
Sources
- Amory, Patrick (2003). People and Identity in Ostrogothic Italy, 489-554. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-52635-7.
- 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 0-521-20160-8