Constantiolus
Constantiolus (
Biography
Origins and early career: dux of Moesia
According to John Malalas and Theophanes the Confessor, the father of Constantiolus was named Florentius. No details are given about him, though he could be identified with Florentius, Roman consul in 515.[1]
Constantiolus is first mentioned as "
The newly appointed Constantiolus joined forces with Ascum and Godilas in facing the invaders, who were at the time active in Thrace. The Byzantine army managed to defeat one group of invaders in battle, but they were then ambushed and routed by a second 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. Malalas reports a payment of 10,000 solidi, while Theophanes of 1,000 solidi.[1]
Imperial representative
Constantiolus resurfaces in 531, after
The Nika riots
Constantiolus next appears during the Nika riots in 532, where he, along with 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 to the emperor placed the blame for the uprising on the unpopular financial ministers John the Cappadocian, Tribonian and Eudaemon, leading to their dismissal from office.[1]
The riots did not subside, and Justinian allegedly considered fleeing Constantinople until the Empress
References
Sources
- Diehl, Charles. Theodora, Empress of Byzantium ((c) 1972 by Frederick Ungar Publishing, Inc., transl. by S.R. Rosenbaum from the original French Theodora, Imperatice de Byzance). Popular account based on the author's extensive scholarly research.
- ISBN 0-521-20160-8.