Claudius Mamertinus
Encyclopedia
Claudius Mamertinus was an official in the Roman Empire
. In late 361 he took part in the Chalcedon tribunal
to condemn the ministers of Constantius II
, and in 362, he was made consul
as a reward by the new Emperor Julian
; on January 1 of that year he delivered a panegyric
in Constantinople
by way of thanks to the Emperor. The text of this is still extant, preserved in the Panegyrici Latini
; it is there followed by two panegyrics from three quarters of a century earlier, addressed to the Emperor Maximian
(the first delivered in 289 and the second in 290 or 291). The text of the Panegyrici that has survived also attributes these also to Claudius Mamertinus; it is unclear whether there was an older orator of the same name or the text is corrupt.
The Claudius Mamertinus made consul in 362 later went on to become governor of Italy
, Africa
, and Illyria
before being removed from public office in 368 for embezzlement.
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
. In late 361 he took part in the Chalcedon tribunal
Chalcedon tribunal
Shortly after the death of Roman emperor Constantius II, his successor Julian the Apostate held a tribunal at the city of Chalcedon, which was then a suburb of Constantinople...
to condemn the ministers of Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
, and in 362, he was made consul
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
as a reward by the new Emperor Julian
Julian the Apostate
Julian "the Apostate" , commonly known as Julian, or also Julian the Philosopher, was Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 and a noted philosopher and Greek writer....
; on January 1 of that year he delivered a panegyric
Panegyric
A panegyric is a formal public speech, or written verse, delivered in high praise of a person or thing, a generally highly studied and discriminating eulogy, not expected to be critical. It is derived from the Greek πανηγυρικός meaning "a speech fit for a general assembly"...
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:...
by way of thanks to the Emperor. The text of this is still extant, preserved in the Panegyrici Latini
Panegyrici Latini
The Panegyrici Latini or Latin Panegyrics is a collection of twelve ancient Roman panegyric orations. The authors of most of the speeches in the collection are anonymous, but appear to have been Gallic in origin. Aside from the first panegyric, composed by Pliny the Younger in 100 CE, the other...
; it is there followed by two panegyrics from three quarters of a century earlier, addressed to the Emperor Maximian
Maximian
Maximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
(the first delivered in 289 and the second in 290 or 291). The text of the Panegyrici that has survived also attributes these also to Claudius Mamertinus; it is unclear whether there was an older orator of the same name or the text is corrupt.
The Claudius Mamertinus made consul in 362 later went on to become governor of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, and Illyria
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
before being removed from public office in 368 for embezzlement.