The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus - Coptic ...

290
EVAGRIUS
21. Concerning the dedications which Chosroes sent to the holy
martyr Sergius.
22. Concerning Naaman the Saracen.
23. Concerning the death of Symeon Stylites the Younger, who is
among the saints.
24. Concerning the death of Gregory, Bishop of Theopolis, and
restoration of Anastasius.
[222] BOOK VI OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF
EVAGRIUS OF EPIPHANIA, SCHOLASTICUS AND
EX-PREFECT
1 After Maurice had inherited the rule, he ¢rst made preparations for his
marriage and in accordance with imperial decrees espoused Augusta,
who was also Constantina; the marriage procession was held magni¢cently,
with public feasts and celebrations in all parts of the city. Religion
and kingship were present, providing the most splendid escort and
providing the most esteemed gifts. 1 For the former presented a father and
mother to sanctify the marriage with respected grey hair and venerable
wrinkles ^ a thing never previously reported with regard to emperors ^ as
well as beautiful siblings in the prime of life to dignify the marital procession.
2 The other presented a robe shot with gold, decorated with purple
and Indian stones, and crowns most precious with their abundance of
gold and the varied splendour of the jewels, and all those numbered
among the o⁄ces at court and the armies, who lit the marital candles,
magni¢cently dressed and with the insignia of their rank, celebrating in
song the festival of the bringing of the bride. As a result there has never
been anything among men more digni¢ed or more joyful than that
1 This whole chapter is in the high style which Evagrius uses for descriptions of imperial
qualities (cf. iii.1 on Zeno). In this sentence Evagrius creates a pun on doruforou“ sai
‘providing an escort for’ and doruforou“ sai ‘providing gifts’; cf. ii.1 at nn. 5 and 6 for analogous
wordplay in the description of Marcian.
2 Maurice’s father, Paul (PLRE III. 980^1, s.v. Paulus 23), was brought to Constantinople
and made leader of the senate; he received part of the property of Marcellus,
brother of Justin II, including a house which was convenient for both the palace and
S. Sophia. The ‘thing never previously reported’ is presumably the mention of such signs
of age, which would be omitted from descriptions of emperors and their relatives. Maurice
had one brother, Peter, and two sisters, Gordia, the wife of Philippicus, and Theoctiste.