Boraides
Encyclopedia
Boraides was a cousin of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I
(r. 527–565), better known for his role in ending the Nika riots
of 532. The primary source about him is Procopius
.
, though the exact relation is uncertain. They were nephews of Justin I
(r. 518–527), though often erroneously stated to be nephews of Justinian himself.
On the last day of the Nika riots
, Boraides and Justus were responsible for capturing Hypatius, whom the populace had declared emperor, and his brother Pompeius
. Procopius reports: "Then indeed from both sides the partisans of Hypatius were assailed with might and main and destroyed. When the rout had become complete and there had already been great slaughter of the populace, Boraides and Justus, nephews of the Emperor Justinian, without anyone daring to lift a hand against them, dragged Hypatius down from the throne, and, leading him in, handed him over together with Pompeius to the emperor."
Boraides died in 548, survived by a wife and daughter. His will left most of his estate to his brother Germanus and nephews Justin
and Justinian
. His daughter would only inherit the minimum required by the law. However Justinian I championed the cause of the daughter, and arranged the inheritance to favour her. This was perceived as a slight by Germanus, who for a time became alienated from Justinian. As a consequence, Germanus was approached by the disaffected Armenians Artabanes
and Arsaces, who tried to persuade him to participate in a coup against Justinian. Germanus however revealed the plot to the comes excubitorum Marcellus, who in turn revealed it to Justinian.
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), better known for his role in ending the Nika riots
Nika riots
The Nika riots , or Nika revolt, took place over the course of a week in Constantinople in AD 532. It was the most violent riot that Constantinople had ever seen to that point, with nearly half the city being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed.-Background:The ancient Roman...
of 532. The primary source about him is Procopius
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...
.
Life
Boraides was a brother of Germanus and Justus. They were reportedly cousins of Justinian IJustinian 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...
, though the exact relation is uncertain. They were nephews of Justin I
Justin I
Justin I was Byzantine Emperor from 518 to 527. He rose through the ranks of the army and ultimately became its Emperor, in spite of the fact he was illiterate and almost 70 years old at the time of accession...
(r. 518–527), though often erroneously stated to be nephews of Justinian himself.
On the last day of the Nika riots
Nika riots
The Nika riots , or Nika revolt, took place over the course of a week in Constantinople in AD 532. It was the most violent riot that Constantinople had ever seen to that point, with nearly half the city being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed.-Background:The ancient Roman...
, Boraides and Justus were responsible for capturing Hypatius, whom the populace had declared emperor, and his brother Pompeius
Pompeius (consul 501)
Pompeius was a politician of the Eastern Roman Empire and relative of the Emperor Anastasius I .- Family :He was a son of Secundinus and Caesaria. His mother was a sister of Anastasius I. His father served as Eparch of Constantinople and Roman consul in 511. Secundinus also held the rank of...
. Procopius reports: "Then indeed from both sides the partisans of Hypatius were assailed with might and main and destroyed. When the rout had become complete and there had already been great slaughter of the populace, Boraides and Justus, nephews of the Emperor Justinian, without anyone daring to lift a hand against them, dragged Hypatius down from the throne, and, leading him in, handed him over together with Pompeius to the emperor."
Boraides died in 548, survived by a wife and daughter. His will left most of his estate to his brother Germanus and nephews Justin
Justin (consul 540)
Flavius Mar Petrus Theodorus Valentinus Rusticius Boraides Germanus Iustinus, commonly simply Iustinus was an East Roman aristocrat and general, who was appointed as one of the last Roman consuls in 540....
and Justinian
Justinian (general)
Justinian was an East Roman aristocrat and general, and a member of the ruling Justinian dynasty. As a soldier, he had a distinguished career in the Balkans and in the East against Sassanid Persia...
. His daughter would only inherit the minimum required by the law. However Justinian I championed the cause of the daughter, and arranged the inheritance to favour her. This was perceived as a slight by Germanus, who for a time became alienated from Justinian. As a consequence, Germanus was approached by the disaffected Armenians Artabanes
Artabanes (general)
Artabanes was an East Roman general of Armenian origin who served under Justinian I . Initially a rebel against Byzantine authority, he fled to the Sassanid Persians but soon returned to Byzantine allegiance. He served in Africa, where he won great fame by killing the rebel general Guntharic and...
and Arsaces, who tried to persuade him to participate in a coup against Justinian. Germanus however revealed the plot to the comes excubitorum Marcellus, who in turn revealed it to Justinian.