Florentius (consul 429)
Encyclopedia
Flavius Florentius was a prominent high official of the Eastern Roman Empire, who influenced imperial policy during the second quarter of the fifth century.
, on 6 November 422 he was praefectus urbi
of Constantinople
, in which capacity he received an edict preserved in the Codex Theodosianus
(vi.8.1).
After holding another high administrative post, perhaps as praetorian prefect of Illyricum, from 21 April 428 to 11 February 430 Florentius held the second office of the Empire, the praetorian prefecture of the East
, receiving further the honour of the consulate
in 429. In 438 (31 January) and 439 (26 November) he was again prefect for the East; due to the closure of brothels of Constantinople, the treasury received less revenue, and Florentius decided to give some of his own properties to the State to compensate for the loss.
In the mid-440s, he was praetorian prefect twice again, presumably for the East. Between 444 and 448 he received the title of patricius; on November 22 of this year, he was commissioned by Theodosius II to participate in an investigation that was held in Constantinople on the views of Eutyches
, as the Emperor trusted Florentius' orthodoxy.
In 451 he attended the Council of Chalcedon
, during which he was present at the first, third, fourth and sixth sessions.
At the beginning of the reign of Marcian
, Florentius and Anatolius dissuaded the emperor to support the uprising of the Armenians against the Sassanids. Marcian sent him to the Persian king to reassure Roman intention not to intervene.
Biography
A SyrianSyria (Roman province)
Syria was a Roman province, annexed in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursuing victory in the Third Mithridatic War. It remained under Roman, and subsequently Byzantine, rule for seven centuries, until 637 when it fell to the Islamic conquests.- Principate :The...
, on 6 November 422 he was praefectus urbi
Praefectus urbi
The praefectus urbanus or praefectus urbi, in English the urban prefect, was prefect of the city of Rome, and later also of Constantinople. The office originated under the Roman kings, continued during the Republic and Empire, and held high importance in late Antiquity...
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:...
, in which capacity he received an edict preserved in the Codex Theodosianus
Codex Theodosianus
The Codex Theodosianus was a compilation of the laws of the Roman Empire under the Christian emperors since 312. A commission was established by Theodosius II in 429 and the compilation was published in the eastern half of the Roman Empire in 438...
(vi.8.1).
After holding another high administrative post, perhaps as praetorian prefect of Illyricum, from 21 April 428 to 11 February 430 Florentius held the second office of the Empire, the praetorian prefecture of the East
Praetorian prefecture of the East
The praetorian prefecture of the East or of Oriens was one of four large praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided...
, receiving further the honour of the consulate
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
in 429. In 438 (31 January) and 439 (26 November) he was again prefect for the East; due to the closure of brothels of Constantinople, the treasury received less revenue, and Florentius decided to give some of his own properties to the State to compensate for the loss.
In the mid-440s, he was praetorian prefect twice again, presumably for the East. Between 444 and 448 he received the title of patricius; on November 22 of this year, he was commissioned by Theodosius II to participate in an investigation that was held in Constantinople on the views of Eutyches
Eutyches
Eutyches was a presbyter and archimandrite at Constantinople. He first came to notice in 431 at the First Council of Ephesus, for his vehement opposition to the teachings of Nestorius; his condemnation of Nestorianism as heresy precipitated his being denounced as a heretic...
, as the Emperor trusted Florentius' orthodoxy.
In 451 he attended the Council of Chalcedon
Council of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
, during which he was present at the first, third, fourth and sixth sessions.
At the beginning of the reign of Marcian
Marcian
Marcian was Byzantine Emperor from 450 to 457. Marcian's rule marked a recovery of the Eastern Empire, which the Emperor protected from external menaces and reformed economically and financially...
, Florentius and Anatolius dissuaded the emperor to support the uprising of the Armenians against the Sassanids. Marcian sent him to the Persian king to reassure Roman intention not to intervene.