Ablabius (assassin)
Encyclopedia
Ablabius was a Byzantine would-be assassin, known for a failed attempt to kill Justinian I
(r. 527–565) in 562. The main sources about him are John Malalas
and Theophanes the Confessor
.
, related to the term melody
("singing, chanting"). A comment of Theophanes implies that Ablabius was a member of an entire faction of such people. Alan Cameron
suggests that this was a circus faction, affiliated to the Blues and Greens of the Hippodrome of Constantinople
. The second meaning is "monetarius" ("mint master", moneyer
/münzmeister
). Thus, an official of the imperial mint. This term derives from μελίζει (melizei, "to cut"). Anastasius Bibliothecarius
, who translated the chronicle of Theophanes to Latin
, understood the term to have this meaning. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange
, an ifluential 17th-century historian, considered this the most likely meaning.
Ablabius was reportedly recruited by Marcellus in a plot to assassinate Justinian I
. The conspirators were apparently "important men in the business world" of Constantinople
. Marcellus was an "argyroprates". The latter term indicates the man was either a silversmith
("argyros" is Greek for "silver"), goldsmith
or a banker. Another conspirator was Sergius, nephew of Aetherius. His uncle was curator of one of the imperial palaces, though better known for his part in a conspiracy against Justin II
(r. 565-578). Ablabius received fifty pounds of gold for his role in the plot.
The plot called for Ablabius to approach Justinian within the imperial triclinium
(dining room
). While Ablabius seems to have access to the room, he was unable to approach the "sacred presence" of the emperor without permission. He thus had to arrange matters with a palatine official. He entrusted his secret to Eusebius and John. This led to the discovery of the plot by the authorities. His requests aroused suspicions and were investigated. On 25 November, 562, Ablabius attempted to enter the palace of Justinian. He was armed with a dagger
. He was immediately arrested. His further fate is not recorded.
His fellow conspirators did not fare better. Marcellus committed suicide instead of being caught. Sergius sought sanctuary within the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae
. Shortly after, the reconstruction of Hagia Sophia
was completed. Paul the Silentiary
composed a long epic poem (still extant), known as Ekphrasis, for the rededication of the basilica
. Paul mentions the conspiracy, clarifying that the conspirators were within the palace and about to attack when caught. He claims that God
granted this victory to Justinian. Peter N. Bell notes that "Paul devotes some 30 lines (25-55) near the start of his poem" to the plot of Ablabius and other 21 lines (937-958) to further conspiracies of the time. Paul emphasizes that God takes care of the personal safety of the emperor. He portrays both Justinian and his deceased wife Theodora as intercessors
of humankind in its relation with God.
against the Sassanid Empire
had recently ended. The peace terms required the Byzantines to pay an annual sum of 30,000 solidi
to the Sassanids. "However the first seven years were to be paid in advance". An estimated 2,900 gold pounds had to be delivered at once. Justinian I required the businessmen to deliver said money to the state in a form of forced loan. The treasury was reportedly crushed by debts and was still empty when Justin II
(r. 565-578) rose to the throne.
Instead of reducing further expenses, Justinian had increased the pressure on the businessmen. In the summer of 562, Money-changers, silver merchants and jewel merchants found themselves required to put up "a costly display of lights" for the consecration of a new church dedicated to Theodora the martyr
. Which might have led directly to the assassination plot. On the other hand, Peter N. Bell connects the murder plot with the lack of popular support for Justinian in the final years of his reign. He points that Agathias
, Menander Protector
and Flavius Cresconius Corippus
all paint "unflattering" and "gloomy" portrayals of the state of the Byzantine Empire
during this period. Corripus even claims: "the old man [Justinian] no longer cared; he was altogether cold ...many things were too much neglected while [he] was alive". Corripus was making a comparison between Justinian I and Justin II, which might explain his negative view on Justinian. But said views are consistent with those of the other authors.
. His confessions implicated two more silversmiths and a curator in the service of Belisarius
. Belisarius himself came under suspicion and was arrested. He was placed on trial by Procopius, urban prefect of Constantinople. Uncertain if this was the same person as Procopius of Caesarea
, the noted historian.
Belisarius was placed under house arrest
, while all his attendants were dismissed from service. Six months later, Belisarius was pardoned by Justinian I. Belisarius and Justinian died within a few weeks of one another in November of 565.
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
(r. 527–565) in 562. The main sources about him are John Malalas
John Malalas
John Malalas or Ioannes Malalas was a Greek chronicler from Antioch. Malalas is probably a Syriac word for "rhetor", "orator"; it is first applied to him by John of Damascus .-Life:Malalas was educated in Antioch, and probably was a jurist there, but moved to...
and Theophanes the Confessor
Theophanes the Confessor
Saint Theophanes Confessor was a member of the Byzantine aristocracy, who became a monk and chronicler. He is venerated on March 12 in the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Church .-Biography:Theophanes was born in Constantinople of wealthy and noble iconodule parents: Isaac,...
.
Biography
Ablabius was a son of Meltiades. His father is otherwise unknown. Ablabius' exact status in society is unknown. The primary texts mention him as "ο Μελιστής" (the Melistes). There are two meanings of this Greek word. One is a term for a musicianMusician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, related to the term melody
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
("singing, chanting"). A comment of Theophanes implies that Ablabius was a member of an entire faction of such people. Alan Cameron
Alan Cameron (classical scholar)
Alan Cameron is a British classicist, Charles Anthon Professor of the Latin Language and Literature at Columbia University.Cameron gained a BA from Oxford University, and his MA in 1964. He has taught at Columbia University since about 1977...
suggests that this was a circus faction, affiliated to the Blues and Greens of the Hippodrome of Constantinople
Hippodrome of Constantinople
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with only a few fragments of the original structure surviving...
. The second meaning is "monetarius" ("mint master", moneyer
Moneyer
A moneyer is someone who physically creates money. Moneyers have a long tradition, dating back at least to ancient Greece. They became most prominent in the Roman Republic, continuing into the empire.-Roman Republican moneyers:...
/münzmeister
Münzmeister
In medieval and early modern Germany, the Münzmeister was the director or administrator of a mint, a moneyer with responsibility for the minting of coins, or specie. His duties were defined differently at different locations and ages.-Middle ages:The need for currency was relatively low during...
). Thus, an official of the imperial mint. This term derives from μελίζει (melizei, "to cut"). Anastasius Bibliothecarius
Anastasius Bibliothecarius
Anastasius Bibliothecarius was Head of archives and antipope of the Roman Catholic Church.- Family and education :...
, who translated the chronicle of Theophanes to Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, understood the term to have this meaning. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange
Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange
Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange or Ducange was a distinguished philologist and historian of the Middle Ages and Byzantium....
, an ifluential 17th-century historian, considered this the most likely meaning.
Ablabius was reportedly recruited by Marcellus in a plot to assassinate Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
. The conspirators were apparently "important men in the business world" of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. Marcellus was an "argyroprates". The latter term indicates the man was either a silversmith
Silversmith
A silversmith is a craftsperson who makes objects from silver or gold. The terms 'silversmith' and 'goldsmith' are not synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product varies greatly as does the scale of objects created.Silversmithing is the...
("argyros" is Greek for "silver"), goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
or a banker. Another conspirator was Sergius, nephew of Aetherius. His uncle was curator of one of the imperial palaces, though better known for his part in a conspiracy against Justin II
Justin II
Justin II was Byzantine Emperor from 565 to 578. He was the husband of Sophia, nephew of Justinian I and the late Empress Theodora, and was therefore a member of the Justinian Dynasty. His reign is marked by war with Persia and the loss of the greater part of Italy...
(r. 565-578). Ablabius received fifty pounds of gold for his role in the plot.
The plot called for Ablabius to approach Justinian within the imperial triclinium
Triclinium
A triclinium is a formal dining room in a Roman building. The word is adopted from the Greek τρικλίνιον, triklinion, from τρι-, tri-, "three", and κλίνη, klinē, a sort of "couch" or rather chaise longue...
(dining room
Dining room
A dining room is a room for consuming food. In modern times it is usually adjacent to the kitchen for convenience in serving, although in medieval times it was often on an entirely different floor level...
). While Ablabius seems to have access to the room, he was unable to approach the "sacred presence" of the emperor without permission. He thus had to arrange matters with a palatine official. He entrusted his secret to Eusebius and John. This led to the discovery of the plot by the authorities. His requests aroused suspicions and were investigated. On 25 November, 562, Ablabius attempted to enter the palace of Justinian. He was armed with a dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
. He was immediately arrested. His further fate is not recorded.
His fellow conspirators did not fare better. Marcellus committed suicide instead of being caught. Sergius sought sanctuary within the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae
Church of St. Mary of Blachernae (Istanbul)
Saint Mary of Blachernae is an Eastern Orthodox church in Istanbul...
. Shortly after, the reconstruction of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey...
was completed. Paul the Silentiary
Paul the Silentiary
Paul the Silentiary, also known as Paulus Silentiarius , was an epigrammatist and an officer in the imperial household of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, responsible for the silence in the imperial palace....
composed a long epic poem (still extant), known as Ekphrasis, for the rededication of the basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
. Paul mentions the conspiracy, clarifying that the conspirators were within the palace and about to attack when caught. He claims that God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
granted this victory to Justinian. Peter N. Bell notes that "Paul devotes some 30 lines (25-55) near the start of his poem" to the plot of Ablabius and other 21 lines (937-958) to further conspiracies of the time. Paul emphasizes that God takes care of the personal safety of the emperor. He portrays both Justinian and his deceased wife Theodora as intercessors
Intercession
Intercession is the act of interceding between two parties. In both Christian and Islamic religious usage, it is a prayer to God on behalf of others....
of humankind in its relation with God.
Interpretation
The motives of the conspirators are not addressed in primary sources. James Evans suggests they could be traced to the grievances of the business world with Justinian. The Lazic WarLazic War
The Lazic War or Colchic War, also known as the Great War of Egrisi in Georgian historiography, was fought between the Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persia for control of the region of Lazica, in what is now western Georgia...
against the Sassanid Empire
Sassanid Empire
The Sassanid Empire , known to its inhabitants as Ērānshahr and Ērān in Middle Persian and resulting in the New Persian terms Iranshahr and Iran , was the last pre-Islamic Persian Empire, ruled by the Sasanian Dynasty from 224 to 651...
had recently ended. The peace terms required the Byzantines to pay an annual sum of 30,000 solidi
Solidus (coin)
The solidus was originally a gold coin issued by the Romans, and a weight measure for gold more generally, corresponding to 4.5 grams.-Roman and Byzantine coinage:...
to the Sassanids. "However the first seven years were to be paid in advance". An estimated 2,900 gold pounds had to be delivered at once. Justinian I required the businessmen to deliver said money to the state in a form of forced loan. The treasury was reportedly crushed by debts and was still empty when Justin II
Justin II
Justin II was Byzantine Emperor from 565 to 578. He was the husband of Sophia, nephew of Justinian I and the late Empress Theodora, and was therefore a member of the Justinian Dynasty. His reign is marked by war with Persia and the loss of the greater part of Italy...
(r. 565-578) rose to the throne.
Instead of reducing further expenses, Justinian had increased the pressure on the businessmen. In the summer of 562, Money-changers, silver merchants and jewel merchants found themselves required to put up "a costly display of lights" for the consecration of a new church dedicated to Theodora the martyr
Theodora (Roman martyr)
Theodora, was a Roman martyr. The little we know about her life is attributed to the Acta of Pope St. Alexander. She was the sister of St. Hermes, who she had given aid and care to during his difficult time in prison. She was martyred some time after her brother, in 120.-Notes:...
. Which might have led directly to the assassination plot. On the other hand, Peter N. Bell connects the murder plot with the lack of popular support for Justinian in the final years of his reign. He points that Agathias
Agathias
Agathias or Agathias Scholasticus , of Myrina , an Aeolian city in western Asia Minor , was a Greek poet and the principal historian of part of the reign of the Roman emperor Justinian I between 552 and 558....
, Menander Protector
Menander Protector
Menander Protector , Byzantine historian, was born in Constantinople in the middle of the 6th century AD. The little that is known of his life is contained in the account of himself quoted by Suidas. He at first took up the study of law, but abandoned it for a life of pleasure...
and Flavius Cresconius Corippus
Flavius Cresconius Corippus
Flavius Cresconius Corippus was a late Roman epic poet of the 6th century, who flourished under East Roman Emperors Justinian I and Justin II. His major works are the epic poem Johannis and the panegyric In laudem Justini minoris...
all paint "unflattering" and "gloomy" portrayals of the state of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
during this period. Corripus even claims: "the old man [Justinian] no longer cared; he was altogether cold ...many things were too much neglected while [he] was alive". Corripus was making a comparison between Justinian I and Justin II, which might explain his negative view on Justinian. But said views are consistent with those of the other authors.
Aftermath
Sergius was eventually dragged away from his sanctuary and interrogated under tortureTorture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
. His confessions implicated two more silversmiths and a curator in the service of Belisarius
Belisarius
Flavius Belisarius was a general of the Byzantine Empire. He was instrumental to Emperor Justinian's ambitious project of reconquering much of the Mediterranean territory of the former Western Roman Empire, which had been lost less than a century previously....
. Belisarius himself came under suspicion and was arrested. He was placed on trial by Procopius, urban prefect of Constantinople. Uncertain if this was the same person as Procopius of Caesarea
Procopius
Procopius of Caesarea was a prominent Byzantine scholar from Palestine. Accompanying the general Belisarius in the wars of the Emperor Justinian I, he became the principal historian of the 6th century, writing the Wars of Justinian, the Buildings of Justinian and the celebrated Secret History...
, the noted historian.
Belisarius was placed under house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
, while all his attendants were dismissed from service. Six months later, Belisarius was pardoned by Justinian I. Belisarius and Justinian died within a few weeks of one another in November of 565.