Pamprepius
Encyclopedia
Pamprepius was a philosopher and a Pagan poet who rebelled against the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno
.
Damascius
described him as a brilliant poet, Malchus
as an acute politician, but ugly, arrogant, unscrupulous and treacherous; Rhetorius
, an Egyptian astrologer, called him a charlatan and a libertine. He has been compared to Claudian
, as both these poets enjoyed eight years of political power at the side of usurpers. He is considered the last pagan poet.
His life is known with unusual precision, as his horoscope calculated by Rhetorius in the early sixth century has been found.
, on 29 September 440; the discovery of a horoscope, which has been identified with that of Pamprepius, let us know that he was born at 15:48. He was ugly, but he had considerable intellectual qualities. He devoted himself to literature, especially to poetry; probably he belonged to the school of Nonnus of Panopolis, a native of his own city. He became very famous as a poet in his country. At the age of 33 years, in 473, he moved to Greece, where he spent much time in Athens
, marrying a rich woman and becoming a professor of grammar (philology). At the same time he studied philosophy under the neo-Platonic philosopher Proclus
, who had, among his students, the Roman general Marcellinus
, the Western Roman Emperor Anthemius
, and the consuls Illustrius Pusaeus
and Messius Phoebus Severus
.
In Athens he had found a patron in Theagenes
, an important citizen of Athens, possibly a magistrate, who was also a supporter of Proclus'. In his honour Pamprepius composed a poem. However, later Pamprepius came into conflict with Theagenes, even suffering physical damages, and Theagenes investigated in a case held against Pamprepius. It is possible that the reason for this attack was linked to his ambition of becoming the most famous of all philosophers with the exception of Proclus. Because of this contrast, he was obliged to leave Athens with haste.
, where he arrived in May 476 (at the age of 35 years 8 months). Here he introduced himself as a magician or an initiator and achieved fame thanks to his culture and his professional skills. An Isauria
n officer called Marsus introduced him to the powerful Illus
, the Isaurian magister militum
of the Isaurian emperor Zeno
. Pamprepius earned Illus' favour reading out a speech on the soul; Illus used his own influence to have Pamprepius appointed professor, raising his public salary with his personal funds, and sending him some disciples.
His close relationship with Illus and the influence he exerted over the general inspired once more the envy of many. His reputation suffered from his practice of divination
, while his open support of Paganism
in a Christian city as Constantinople was could only cause him more enemies. Among these there were emperor Zeno and the Dowager Empress Verina
(wife of Zeno's father-in-law and predecessor). Once, while Illus was travelling to his native Isauria, Pamprepius was sentenced to exile by the Emperor on charges of attempting to use his divination skills in favour of Illus and against Zeno; he was therefore sent to Pergamum. Illus, who knew well that the cause of the exile of the poet had been their friendship, welcomed Pamprepius at his own home and, on his return to the capital, he brought Pamprepius back with him. Illus had Pamprepius appointed senator, honorary consul, quaestor sacri palatii
and, after some time, patricius, a most prestigious position.
In 479 Marcian
, son of the late Western Emperor Anthemius
and brother of Zeno, revolted and laid siege to the Eastern Emperor in Constantinople. Initially Illus lost heart, but Pamprepius declared that providence was on their side, and when Illus captured the rebels, Pamprepius gained a reputation as a clairvoyant. Since then, Illus always kept close to him Pamprepius, consulting him frequently. The two spent the winter of 479/480 at Nicaea, as Pamprepius was unpopular in Constantinople.
, where he met representatives of the Pagan community. He tried to persuade them to help him in a revolt against Zeno
, showing them oracles and prophecies that ensured the imminent collapse of Christianity; however, he did not gain their support. He also took part in the disputes between the various Christian sects, supporting the election of the Nicene John Talaia as opposed to the Monophysite Peter Mongus, but again he was unsuccessful.
The power plays at court - involving Zeno, Verina
, Illus
and Ariadne
, daughter of Verina and wife of Zeno - degenerated into a riot, in which Illus was the target of two assassination attempts by Verina and Ariadne. In 484 Illus decided to withdraw from the court and move with Pamprepius to Nicaea; as he had been appointed magister militum
per Orientem, he moved to the East to take office and with the excuse of looking for a better climate to heal the wound suffered in the second assassination attempt.
While there, however, he started a rebellion against Zeno, elevating to the throne Leontius
, a Syrian officer, and appointing Pamprepius his magister officiorum
. After some initial victories, Illus' troops were defeated by the army of Zeno and forced to take refuge in the fortress of Papurius
, in Isauria
. Illus discovered that Pamprepius wanted to betray his fellows to save himself, and in November 484 put him to death and had his head thrown over the battlements of the fortress. According to some modern scholars, Pamprepius did not want to betray his patron, but the failure of his political schemes was interpreted as deception by Illus' men.
Some scholars have suggested that Pamprepius' participation is a clue that the revolt of Illus was somehow an attempt to restore Paganism, but this hypothesis has not been successful among scholars. However, it is known that the rebels sought the support of the Pagan community of Alexandria: in fact, they were persecuted because they were suspected of being part of Illus' rebellion. A Pagan convert to Christianity called Paralius wrote a letter to his former co-religionists, in which he remembers how they had prayed and sacrificed for the success of the revolt of Illus and Pamprepius against Zeno and how they had received many oracles showing the victory of the heathen, but how in the end the "powerful" Christianity had prevailed.
Some fragments have been attributed to Pamprepius. Among them a panegyric to Theagenes
and a lamentation on leaving Athens.
Zeno (emperor)
Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
.
Damascius
Damascius
Damascius , known as "the last of the Neoplatonists," was the last scholarch of the School of Athens. He was one of the pagan philosophers persecuted by Justinian in the early 6th century, and was forced for a time to seek refuge in the Persian court, before being allowed back into the empire...
described him as a brilliant poet, Malchus
Malchus (historian)
Malchus was a Byzantine historian. According to Suda Malchus was a Byzantine; but Photius states that he was a native of Philadelphia; and his Syriac name makes it probable that Philadelphia was the ancient Rabbah in the country of Ammonitis, east of the River Jordan.Malchus probably followed his...
as an acute politician, but ugly, arrogant, unscrupulous and treacherous; Rhetorius
Rhetorius
Rhetorius of Egypt was the last major classical astrologer from whom we have any excerpts. He lived in the sixth or early seventh century, in the early Byzantine era. He wrote an extensive compendium in Greek of the techniques of the Hellenistic astrologers who preceded him, and is one of our...
, an Egyptian astrologer, called him a charlatan and a libertine. He has been compared to Claudian
Claudian
Claudian was a Roman poet, who worked for Emperor Honorius and the latter's general Stilicho.A Greek-speaking citizen of Alexandria and probably not a Christian convert, Claudian arrived in Rome before 395. He made his mark with a eulogy of his two young patrons, Probinus and Olybrius, thereby...
, as both these poets enjoyed eight years of political power at the side of usurpers. He is considered the last pagan poet.
His life is known with unusual precision, as his horoscope calculated by Rhetorius in the early sixth century has been found.
Education
Pamprepius was born in Egypt, at Panopolis, near ThebesThebes, Egypt
Thebes is the Greek name for a city in Ancient Egypt located about 800 km south of the Mediterranean, on the east bank of the river Nile within the modern city of Luxor. The Theban Necropolis is situated nearby on the west bank of the Nile.-History:...
, on 29 September 440; the discovery of a horoscope, which has been identified with that of Pamprepius, let us know that he was born at 15:48. He was ugly, but he had considerable intellectual qualities. He devoted himself to literature, especially to poetry; probably he belonged to the school of Nonnus of Panopolis, a native of his own city. He became very famous as a poet in his country. At the age of 33 years, in 473, he moved to Greece, where he spent much time in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, marrying a rich woman and becoming a professor of grammar (philology). At the same time he studied philosophy under the neo-Platonic philosopher Proclus
Proclus
Proclus Lycaeus , called "The Successor" or "Diadochos" , was a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher, one of the last major Classical philosophers . He set forth one of the most elaborate and fully developed systems of Neoplatonism...
, who had, among his students, the Roman general Marcellinus
Marcellinus (magister militum)
Marcellinus was a Roman general and patrician who ruled over the region of Dalmatia in the Western Roman Empire and held sway with the army there from 454 until his death.-Origins:...
, the Western Roman Emperor Anthemius
Anthemius
Procopius Anthemius was Western Roman Emperor from 467 to 472. Perhaps the last capable Western Roman Emperor, Anthemius attempted to solve the two primary military challenges facing the remains of the Western Roman Empire: the resurgent Visigoths, under Euric, whose domain straddled the Pyrenees;...
, and the consuls Illustrius Pusaeus
Illustrius Pusaeus
Flavius Illustrius Pusaeus was a politician of the Roman Empire.- Biography :Pusaeus was a pupil of the Neoplatonist philosopher Proclus, at his school in Alexandria; other noteworthy figures belonged to the same Pagan circle and studied with Pusaeus, such as Pamprepius , Marcellinus Flavius...
and Messius Phoebus Severus
Messius Phoebus Severus
Flavius Messius Phoebus Severus was a Roman politician and philosopher.- Biography :Born in Rome, he studied at the school of the platonic philosopher Proclus, in Alexandria; among the other students there were the Pagan poet Pamprepius , the military officer Marcellinus ,...
.
In Athens he had found a patron in Theagenes
Theagenes (patrician)
- Biography :A native of Athens, Theagenes belonged to a wealthy and aristocratic family that claimed descent from Miltiades and Plato. He had a wife, Asclepideneia, who was the great-granddaughter of the Neoplatonic philosopher Plutarch of Athens. He also had a son called Hegias.He was a Roman...
, an important citizen of Athens, possibly a magistrate, who was also a supporter of Proclus'. In his honour Pamprepius composed a poem. However, later Pamprepius came into conflict with Theagenes, even suffering physical damages, and Theagenes investigated in a case held against Pamprepius. It is possible that the reason for this attack was linked to his ambition of becoming the most famous of all philosophers with the exception of Proclus. Because of this contrast, he was obliged to leave Athens with haste.
Collaborator of Illus
From Athens he went to ConstantinopleConstantinople
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:...
, where he arrived in May 476 (at the age of 35 years 8 months). Here he introduced himself as a magician or an initiator and achieved fame thanks to his culture and his professional skills. An Isauria
Isauria
Isauria , in ancient geography, is a rugged isolated district in the interior of South Asia Minor, of very different extent at different periods, but generally covering what is now the district of Bozkır and its surroundings in the Konya province of Turkey, or the core of the Taurus Mountains. In...
n officer called Marsus introduced him to the powerful Illus
Illus
Illus was a Byzantine general, who played an important role in the reigns of the Byzantine Emperors Zeno and Basiliscus.Illus supported the revolt of Basiliscus against Zeno, then switched sides, supporting the return of Zeno...
, the Isaurian magister militum
Magister militum
Magister militum was a top-level military command used in the later Roman Empire, dating from the reign of Constantine. Used alone, the term referred to the senior military officer of the Empire...
of the Isaurian emperor Zeno
Zeno (emperor)
Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
. Pamprepius earned Illus' favour reading out a speech on the soul; Illus used his own influence to have Pamprepius appointed professor, raising his public salary with his personal funds, and sending him some disciples.
His close relationship with Illus and the influence he exerted over the general inspired once more the envy of many. His reputation suffered from his practice of divination
Divination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
, while his open support of Paganism
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
in a Christian city as Constantinople was could only cause him more enemies. Among these there were emperor Zeno and the Dowager Empress Verina
Verina
Aelia Verina was the Empress consort of Leo I of the Byzantine Empire. She was a sister of Basiliscus. Her daughter Ariadne was Empress consort of first Zeno and then Anastasius I. Verina was the maternal grandmother of Leo II.-Family:...
(wife of Zeno's father-in-law and predecessor). Once, while Illus was travelling to his native Isauria, Pamprepius was sentenced to exile by the Emperor on charges of attempting to use his divination skills in favour of Illus and against Zeno; he was therefore sent to Pergamum. Illus, who knew well that the cause of the exile of the poet had been their friendship, welcomed Pamprepius at his own home and, on his return to the capital, he brought Pamprepius back with him. Illus had Pamprepius appointed senator, honorary consul, quaestor sacri palatii
Quaestor sacri palatii
The quaestor sacri palatii , in English Quaestor of the Sacred Palace, was the senior legal authority in the late Roman and early Byzantine empires, responsible for drafting laws. In the later Byzantine Empire, the office of the quaestor was altered and it became a senior judicial official for the...
and, after some time, patricius, a most prestigious position.
In 479 Marcian
Marcian (usurper)
Marcian was a member of the House of Leo and an usurper against Emperor Zeno in 479.- Biography :Marcian was a member of several Roman imperial families...
, son of the late Western Emperor Anthemius
Anthemius
Procopius Anthemius was Western Roman Emperor from 467 to 472. Perhaps the last capable Western Roman Emperor, Anthemius attempted to solve the two primary military challenges facing the remains of the Western Roman Empire: the resurgent Visigoths, under Euric, whose domain straddled the Pyrenees;...
and brother of Zeno, revolted and laid siege to the Eastern Emperor in Constantinople. Initially Illus lost heart, but Pamprepius declared that providence was on their side, and when Illus captured the rebels, Pamprepius gained a reputation as a clairvoyant. Since then, Illus always kept close to him Pamprepius, consulting him frequently. The two spent the winter of 479/480 at Nicaea, as Pamprepius was unpopular in Constantinople.
Revolt against Zeno
In late 481 or early 482, Pamprepius went in Egypt, to AlexandriaAlexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, where he met representatives of the Pagan community. He tried to persuade them to help him in a revolt against Zeno
Zeno (emperor)
Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
, showing them oracles and prophecies that ensured the imminent collapse of Christianity; however, he did not gain their support. He also took part in the disputes between the various Christian sects, supporting the election of the Nicene John Talaia as opposed to the Monophysite Peter Mongus, but again he was unsuccessful.
The power plays at court - involving Zeno, Verina
Verina
Aelia Verina was the Empress consort of Leo I of the Byzantine Empire. She was a sister of Basiliscus. Her daughter Ariadne was Empress consort of first Zeno and then Anastasius I. Verina was the maternal grandmother of Leo II.-Family:...
, Illus
Illus
Illus was a Byzantine general, who played an important role in the reigns of the Byzantine Emperors Zeno and Basiliscus.Illus supported the revolt of Basiliscus against Zeno, then switched sides, supporting the return of Zeno...
and Ariadne
Ariadne (empress)
Aelia Ariadne was the Empress consort of Zeno and Anastasius I of the Byzantine Empire.-Family:Ariadne was a daughter of Leo I and Verina. Her mother was a sister of Basiliscus....
, daughter of Verina and wife of Zeno - degenerated into a riot, in which Illus was the target of two assassination attempts by Verina and Ariadne. In 484 Illus decided to withdraw from the court and move with Pamprepius to Nicaea; as he had been appointed magister militum
Magister militum
Magister militum was a top-level military command used in the later Roman Empire, dating from the reign of Constantine. Used alone, the term referred to the senior military officer of the Empire...
per Orientem, he moved to the East to take office and with the excuse of looking for a better climate to heal the wound suffered in the second assassination attempt.
While there, however, he started a rebellion against Zeno, elevating to the throne Leontius
Leontius (usurper)
Leontius was a general of the Eastern Roman Empire and claimant to the throne who led a rebellion against emperor Zeno in 484–488.- Biography :Leontius was of Syrian origin, coming from Dalisandus...
, a Syrian officer, and appointing Pamprepius his magister officiorum
Magister officiorum
The magister officiorum was one of the most senior administrative officials in the late Roman Empire and the early centuries of the Byzantine Empire...
. After some initial victories, Illus' troops were defeated by the army of Zeno and forced to take refuge in the fortress of Papurius
Papurius
Papurius or Papyrius was a fortress in Cilicia Campestris, near Tarsus.It was in this fortress that the usurper Marcian was held prisoner after his failed revolt in 479, and where Leontius and his general and king-maker Illus were besieged between 484 and 488 by the army of Emperor Zeno.- Sources...
, in Isauria
Isauria
Isauria , in ancient geography, is a rugged isolated district in the interior of South Asia Minor, of very different extent at different periods, but generally covering what is now the district of Bozkır and its surroundings in the Konya province of Turkey, or the core of the Taurus Mountains. In...
. Illus discovered that Pamprepius wanted to betray his fellows to save himself, and in November 484 put him to death and had his head thrown over the battlements of the fortress. According to some modern scholars, Pamprepius did not want to betray his patron, but the failure of his political schemes was interpreted as deception by Illus' men.
Some scholars have suggested that Pamprepius' participation is a clue that the revolt of Illus was somehow an attempt to restore Paganism, but this hypothesis has not been successful among scholars. However, it is known that the rebels sought the support of the Pagan community of Alexandria: in fact, they were persecuted because they were suspected of being part of Illus' rebellion. A Pagan convert to Christianity called Paralius wrote a letter to his former co-religionists, in which he remembers how they had prayed and sacrificed for the success of the revolt of Illus and Pamprepius against Zeno and how they had received many oracles showing the victory of the heathen, but how in the end the "powerful" Christianity had prevailed.
Works
Pamprepius composed two works, now lost:- Ἰσαυρικὰ, Isaurica: an epic poem about IsauriaIsauriaIsauria , in ancient geography, is a rugged isolated district in the interior of South Asia Minor, of very different extent at different periods, but generally covering what is now the district of Bozkır and its surroundings in the Konya province of Turkey, or the core of the Taurus Mountains. In...
, the region in Asia MinorAsia MinorAsia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
that was the country of origin of both IllusIllusIllus was a Byzantine general, who played an important role in the reigns of the Byzantine Emperors Zeno and Basiliscus.Illus supported the revolt of Basiliscus against Zeno, then switched sides, supporting the return of Zeno...
and ZenoZeno (emperor)Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
. It either celebrated Zeno's restoration against BasiliscusBasiliscusBasiliscus was Eastern Roman Emperor from 475 to 476. A member of the House of Leo, he came to power when Emperor Zeno had been forced out of Constantinople by a revolt....
in 476, or it was a celebration of Illus; - Ἐτυμολογιῶν ἀπόδοσις, Etymologiarum expositio, prose
Some fragments have been attributed to Pamprepius. Among them a panegyric to Theagenes
Theagenes (patrician)
- Biography :A native of Athens, Theagenes belonged to a wealthy and aristocratic family that claimed descent from Miltiades and Plato. He had a wife, Asclepideneia, who was the great-granddaughter of the Neoplatonic philosopher Plutarch of Athens. He also had a son called Hegias.He was a Roman...
and a lamentation on leaving Athens.