Cyrus of Panopolis
Encyclopedia
Flavius Taurus Seleucus Cyrus (floruit
426-441), better known as Cyrus of Panopolis from his birthplace of Panopolis in Egypt, was a senior East Roman official, epic poet, philosopher and a lover of Greek arts. He lived in Constantinople
during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II
(ruled 408–450).
, epigram
s and epic poetry
, Cyrus enjoyed the patronage of Empress Aelia Eudocia
. After serving through a series of bureaucratic positions in the palace, in circa 426, Cyrus assumed the post of urban prefect of Constantinople
for the first time. His powers were further expanded when he was also appointed as praetorian prefect of the East
in November, making him the second most powerful man in the Empire after Emperor Theodosius II
himself. Cyrus was the first urban prefect to abolish Latin
as the language of administration, and issued his edicts in Greek
. His activities for the improvement and embellishment of Constantinople were considerable: street-lighting was introduced, restored several buildings, including the city walls
, and erected a church to the Theotokos
in a district that later bore his name. His contribution was also important in the establishment of the university of Constantinople
. His works earned him great popularity with the people: according to the chronicler Zonaras
, on seeing the city walls repaired in record speed, they exclaimed "Constantine [the Great] built them, Cyrus restored them." This comparison disquieted the Emperor, who dismissed Cyrus from all his offices in August 441.
Cyrus was accused of pagan sympathies and exiled to Phrygia
, where he entered the clergy, becoming bishop of Cotyaeum in 443. The choice of his place of exile was not accidental: the people of Cotyaeum had already assassinated four of their previous bishops. He returned to secular life after Theodosius' death in 450, and returned to Constantinople. He was apparently pardoned and his fortune returned to him, allowing him to spend much of it to charities until his death in the reign of Emperor Leo. In that time (ca. 460) Cyrus became a friend of Daniel the Stylite
, after he freed his younger daughter Alexandria of an evil spirit. The saint repeated the miracle a few years later with Cyrus' elder daughter.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
426-441), better known as Cyrus of Panopolis from his birthplace of Panopolis in Egypt, was a senior East Roman official, epic poet, philosopher and a lover of Greek arts. He lived 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:...
during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II
Theodosius II
Theodosius II , commonly surnamed Theodosius the Younger, or Theodosius the Calligrapher, was Byzantine Emperor from 408 to 450. He is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian law code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople...
(ruled 408–450).
Life
As an author of eulogiesEulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
, epigram
Epigram
An epigram is a brief, interesting, usually memorable and sometimes surprising statement. Derived from the epigramma "inscription" from ἐπιγράφειν epigraphein "to write on inscribe", this literary device has been employed for over two millennia....
s and epic poetry
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
, Cyrus enjoyed the patronage of Empress Aelia Eudocia
Aelia Eudocia
Aelia Eudocia Augusta was the wife of Theodosius II, and a prominent historical figure in understanding the rise of Christianity during the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. Eudocia lived in a world where Greek paganism and Christianity were still coming together...
. After serving through a series of bureaucratic positions in the palace, in circa 426, Cyrus assumed the post of urban prefect 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:...
for the first time. His powers were further expanded when he was also appointed as praetorian prefect 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...
in November, making him the second most powerful man in the Empire after Emperor Theodosius II
Theodosius II
Theodosius II , commonly surnamed Theodosius the Younger, or Theodosius the Calligrapher, was Byzantine Emperor from 408 to 450. He is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian law code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople...
himself. Cyrus was the first urban prefect to abolish 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...
as the language of administration, and issued his edicts in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
. His activities for the improvement and embellishment of Constantinople were considerable: street-lighting was introduced, restored several buildings, including the city walls
Walls of Constantinople
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great...
, and erected a church to the Theotokos
Theotokos
Theotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...
in a district that later bore his name. His contribution was also important in the establishment of the university of Constantinople
University of Constantinople
The University of Constantinople, sometimes known as the University of the palace hall of Magnaura in the Roman-Byzantine Empire was founded in 425 under the name of Pandidakterion...
. His works earned him great popularity with the people: according to the chronicler Zonaras
Joannes Zonaras
Ioannes Zonaras was a Byzantine chronicler and theologian, who lived at Constantinople.Under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos he held the offices of head justice and private secretary to the emperor, but after Alexios' death, he retired to the monastery of St Glykeria, where he spent the rest of his...
, on seeing the city walls repaired in record speed, they exclaimed "Constantine [the Great] built them, Cyrus restored them." This comparison disquieted the Emperor, who dismissed Cyrus from all his offices in August 441.
Cyrus was accused of pagan sympathies and exiled to Phrygia
Phrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
, where he entered the clergy, becoming bishop of Cotyaeum in 443. The choice of his place of exile was not accidental: the people of Cotyaeum had already assassinated four of their previous bishops. He returned to secular life after Theodosius' death in 450, and returned to Constantinople. He was apparently pardoned and his fortune returned to him, allowing him to spend much of it to charities until his death in the reign of Emperor Leo. In that time (ca. 460) Cyrus became a friend of Daniel the Stylite
Daniel the Stylite
Saint Daniel the Stylite is a saint of the Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic Churches. He was born in a village by the name of Maratha in upper Mesopotamia near Samosata, in today what is now a region of Turkey. He entered a monastery at the age of twelve and lived there...
, after he freed his younger daughter Alexandria of an evil spirit. The saint repeated the miracle a few years later with Cyrus' elder daughter.