Joannes Laurentius Lydus
Encyclopedia
John the Lydian or John Lydus was a 6th century Byzantine
administrator and writer on antiquarian
subjects. His works are of interest for specific data about classical events.
in Lydia
, whence his cognomen
"Lydus". At an early age he set out to seek his fortune in Constantinople
, and held high court and state offices in the praetorian prefecture of the East
under Anastasius
and Justinian
. In 552 he lost favour, and was dismissed. The date of his death is not known, but he was probably alive during the early years of Justin II
(reigned 565-578).
The chief value of these books consists in the fact that the author made use of the works (now lost) of old Roman writers on similar subjects. Lydus was also commissioned by Justinian to compose a panegyric on the emperor, and a history of his campaign
against Sassanid Persia; but these, as well as some poetical compositions, are lost.
There is an edition of De Ostentis by Curt Wachsmuth (1897), with full account of the authorities in the prolegomena.
There is an edition of De Magistratibus and De Mensibus by Richard Wünsch (1898–1903). See also the essay by CB Hase
(the first editor of the De Ostentis) prefixed to I. Bekker
's edition of Lydus (1837) in the Bonn Corpus scriptorum hist. Byzantinae
For De Magistratibus, Wünsch's edition has been superseded by Bandy's 1983 edition and translation.
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...
administrator and writer on antiquarian
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
subjects. His works are of interest for specific data about classical events.
Life and career
He was born in 490 AD at PhiladelphiaAlasehir
Alaşehir, in Antiquity and the Middle Ages known as Philadelphia , i.e. " brotherly love" is a town and district of Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is situated in the valley of the Kuzuçay , at the foot of the Bozdağ...
in Lydia
Lydia
Lydia was an Iron Age kingdom of western Asia Minor located generally east of ancient Ionia in the modern Turkish provinces of Manisa and inland İzmir. Its population spoke an Anatolian language known as Lydian....
, whence his cognomen
Cognomen
The cognomen nōmen "name") was the third name of a citizen of Ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. The cognomen started as a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became hereditary. Hereditary cognomina were used to augment the second name in order to identify a particular branch within...
"Lydus". At an early age he set out to seek his fortune in 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:...
, and held high court and state offices in 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...
under Anastasius
Anastasius I (emperor)
Anastasius I was Byzantine Emperor from 491 to 518. During his reign the Roman eastern frontier underwent extensive re-fortification, including the construction of Dara, a stronghold intended to counter the Persian fortress of Nisibis....
and 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...
. In 552 he lost favour, and was dismissed. The date of his death is not known, but he was probably alive during the early years of 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...
(reigned 565-578).
Literary work
During his retirement he occupied himself in the compilation of works on the antiquities of Rome, three of which have been preserved:- De Ostentis (Gr. ), on the origin and progress of the art of divinationDivinationDivination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
- De Magistratibus reipublicae Romanae (Gr. ), especially valuable for the administrative details of the time of Justinian [now dat. 550 by Michael Maas, John Lydus and the Roman Past (London-New York, 1992)]
- De Mensibus (Gr. ), a history of the different festivals of the year.
The chief value of these books consists in the fact that the author made use of the works (now lost) of old Roman writers on similar subjects. Lydus was also commissioned by Justinian to compose a panegyric on the emperor, and a history of his campaign
Iberian War
The Iberian War was fought from 526 to 532 between the Eastern Roman Empire and Sassanid Empire over the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia.-Origin:After the Anastasian War, a seven-year truce was agreed on, yet it lasted for nearly twenty years...
against Sassanid Persia; but these, as well as some poetical compositions, are lost.
There is an edition of De Ostentis by Curt Wachsmuth (1897), with full account of the authorities in the prolegomena.
There is an edition of De Magistratibus and De Mensibus by Richard Wünsch (1898–1903). See also the essay by CB Hase
Carl Benedict Hase
Carl Benedict Hase , French Hellenist, of German extraction, was born at Sulza near Naumburg.Having studied at Jena and Helmstedt, in 1801 he made his way on foot to Paris, where he was commissioned by the comte de Choiseul-Gouffier, late ambassador to Constantinople, to edit the works of Joannes...
(the first editor of the De Ostentis) prefixed to I. Bekker
August Immanuel Bekker
August Immanuel Bekker was a German philologist and critic.-Biography:Born in Berlin, Bekker completed his classical education at the University of Halle under Friedrich August Wolf, who considered him as his most promising pupil. In 1810 he was appointed professor of philosophy in the University...
's edition of Lydus (1837) in the Bonn Corpus scriptorum hist. Byzantinae
For De Magistratibus, Wünsch's edition has been superseded by Bandy's 1983 edition and translation.
Editions and translations
- John the Lydian, De Magistratibus. On the Magistracies of the Roman Constitution. Translated by T. F. Carney. December 1971, Coronado Press.
- On powers, or, The magistracies of the Roman state / Ioannes Lydus; introduction, critical text, translation, commentary, and indices by Anastasius C. Bandy. Series: Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society, v. 149 ISSN: 0065-9738. Philadelphia : American Philosophical Society, 1983, c1982. Greek text, parallel English translation. Based on the Codex Caseolinus.
- Des magistratures de l'état romain. Jean le Lydien. Text, French translation and commentary by Michel Dubuisson, Jacques Schamp. Belles Lettres (2006)
External links
- Bonn corpus edition of the works of John Lydus (1837) with Latin translation at the bottom of each page.
- Greek Opera Omnia by Migne Patrologia Graeca with analytical indexes
- Teubner edition of De Mensibus (1898) by R. Wünsch.
- English translation of De Mensibus 4:158 (on December)