360, he was
despatched
on an em- in a.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - c
xi.
p.
299); and Baronius (Annales ad
writer of a later but unascertained period, and is ann. 574. SS vi. viii. ix).
full of miracles, visions, and other legendary mat- 33. Stylites TERTIUS, PRESBYTEK
ters. It is given, with a valuable Commentarius ARCHIMANDRITA. A third pillar Saint of the
Praevius by Conrad Janninghus, in the Acta Sanc- name of Symeon is reverenced by the Greek and
torum Maii, a. d. xxiv. vol. v. p. 298, &c. Coptic, or Egyptian Jacobite, Churches, on the
Several writings are ascribed to the younger 26th or 27th July. He is mentioned here only
Symeon the Stylite. They are, 1. Nepi cikóvwv, to prevent his being confounded with either of the
De Imaginibus, mentioned by Joannes Damascenus, preceding. He is perhaps the same with the
who cites a passage from it among the passages Symeon Stylites of Aegae in Cilicia, mentioned by
subjoined to his own third oration on the same Joannes Moschus (Pratum Spirituale, c. 57) as
subject. It may be doubted, however, whether having been killed by lightning; and with “Symeon
the title applies to the work from which the cita- Monachus Confessor in Sicilia” (perhaps an error
tion is made, or merely describes the subject of for Cilicia), who appears in some ancient Latin
the cited passage. (Damascenus, Opera, vol. i. Martyrologia on the 27th July. (Acta Sanclorum
p. 386, ed. Le Quien. ) 2. 'ETIOTONA) tpos Tor Julii, a. d. xxvi. vol. vi. p. 310 ; Allatius, De
'lovotiviavdu Baginéa, Epistola ad Justinianum Im- Symeon. Scriptis, p. 22 ; Fabric. Biblioth. Gracc.
peratorem, cited by Sophronius of Jerusalem in his vol. x. p. 525. )
Eurodukti, Epistola Synodica (apud Phot. Bilfioth. 34. THAUMATURGUS. There is a letter noticed
cod. 231). This letter of Symeon was directed by Allatius as extant in MS. , which, after having been
against the Nestorians and Eutychians, and was translated from the original Greek into Syriac, and
much prized by Justinian, who called it“ a treasure. " | from Syriac into Arabic, was, under the mistaken inn.
1
IT
1
## p. 959 (#975) ############################################
SYMMACHUS.
959
SYMMACHUS.
8
pression :hat the original was lost, retranslated from which was dedicated on the 29th of April A. D.
Arabic into Greek. This letter was written by Sy. 377 in the consulship of Gratianus Augustus (IV. )
meon Thaumaturgus to another Symeon designated and Merobaudes. By his wife, the daughter of
Enclistus, who derived his lineage from one of the Acyndinus, he was the father of
emperors or Caesars: Επιστολή του αγίου Συ- 3. Q. AURELIUS SYMMACHUS, who flourished
μεών του Θαυματουργού ήν απεστείλε πρός τινα | towards the close of the fourth century, and
τον από γένους Καίσαρος έγκλειστον μέν γεγενη- stood foremost among his. contemporaries as a
uévov, Epistola S. Symeonis Thaumaturgi quam scholar, a statesman, and an orator. Educated in
misit ad quendam Enclistum genus trahentem a Gaul (Symmach. Ep. ix. 83), apparently at Bour-
Cuesare. There is some reason to conjecture that deaux or Toulouse, in that age the most renowned
Symeon Thaumaturgus is identical with the younger seminaries in the world, in early life he became
Symeon the Stylite (No. 32). (Allatius, De Sy devoted to the liberal arts. By his example and
meor. Scriplis, p. 179; Fabricius, Biblioth. Graec. authority he, at a subsequent period, inspired for a
vol. xi. p. 299. )
time new life and vigour into the literature of his
35. THEOLOGUS JUNIOR 8. Novus Theolo- country, which had long been wasting hy gradual
GUS (ó véos Seonoyos). [No. 16. )
decay, and seemed now to be fast approaching the
36. Of THESSALONICA. Little is known of the hour of dissolution. Having discharged the func-
personal history of Symeon, archbishop of Thessa- tions of quaestor and praetor, he was afterwards
lonica, except that he lived in the first half of the appointed (A. D. 365, Cod. Theod. 8. tit. 5. 8. 25)
fifteenth century, and held his see for between five Corrector of Lucania and the Bruttii ; in A. d. 373
and six years, dying Sept. A. D. 1429, about six (Cod. 'Theod. 12. tit. 1. s. 73 ; comp. Symmach.
months before Thessalonica was taken by the Turks Ep. viii. 10, n. 3) he was proconsul of Africa, and
under Amurath. Joannes Anagnostes, in his De became, probably about the same time, a member
Thessalonicensi Excidio Narratio (c. 3), has noticed of the pontifical college. His zeal for the ancient
the death of Symeon, who was generally lamented ; faith of Rome, which exercised throughout life a
and relates a curious dream, by which his decease and marked influence on his character, checked for a
the subsequent ruin of the city were supposed to be while the prosperous current of his fortunes, and
portended. Symeon was the author of several theo- involved him in danger and disgrace. For having
logical works much esteemed in the Greek Church. been chosen by the senate on account of his sur-
They were published under the care of Dositheus, passing eloquence to remonstrate with Gratian on
patriarch of Jerusalem, folio, Jassy, 1683. Aihe removal of the altar of victory (A. D. 382)
Romaic version of the whole was published, 4to. from their council hall, and on the curtailment of
Leipsic, 1791. Some of the works have been also the sums annually allowed for the maintenance of
published separately. (Allatius, De Symeon. Scriptis, the Vestal Virgins, and for the public celebration
pp. 185–194; Fabric. Biblioth. Graec. vol. xi. p. of sacred rites, he was ordered by the indignant
328, &c. ; Cave, Hist. Litt. Appendix by Wharton emperor to quit the presence, and to withdraw
and Gery, ad annos 1410, 1418, vol. ii. pp. J 13, himself to a distance of one hundred miles from
114; Le Quien, Oriens Christianus, vol. ii. col. 58; Rome. Nothing daunted by this repulse, when
Oudin, Commentarius de Scriptorib. Eccles. vol. iii. appointed praefect of the city (A. D. 384) after the
COL 2242, &C. )
death of his persecutor, he addressed an elaborate
37. VENERABILIS. [No. 24. )
epistle to Valentinianus again urging the restora-
38. XYLOCERCINUS. (No. 16. ) [J. C. M. ) tion of the pagan deities to their former honours.
SYMMACHUS. 1. SYMMACHUS, proconsul The application was again unsuccessful, but did
of Achaia, to whom two laws of Constantine the not upon this occasion prove personally injurious
Great were sent in A. D. 319 (Cod. Theod. 2. tit. to the promoter, who was, however, soon exposed
4. ss. 1, 15), was probably the father of
to a hazard still more perilous than any which he
2. L. AURELIUS AVIANIUS SYMMACHUS, who had previously encountered. In consequence of
flourished about the middle of the fourth century, the hostile feelings which he naturally cherished
and is described by Ammianus Marcellinus (xxvii. against Gratian, he had always sympathised with
3. § 3), as worthy of being ranked among the Maximus, by whom that prince had been conquered
brightest models of learning and virtue. From an and slain. When the pretender was threatening
inscription formerly preserved in the Capitol, and (A. D. 387) to invade Italy his cause was openly ad-
now in the vestibule of the Vatican Library, we vocated by Symmachus, who upon the arrival of
learn that he enjoyed at various periods the digni- Theodosius was impeached of treason, and forced to
ties of praefect of the city (A. D. 364), an office in take refuge in a sanctuary. Having been speedily
which he was the successor of Apronianus (Amm. pardoned through the intercession of numerous and
Marc. L. c. ), of consul (suffect. a. D. 376 ? ), of pro- powerful friends he expressed his contrition and
praefect of the praetorium at Rome and propraefect gratitude in an apologetic address to the conqueror,
of the neighbouring provinces, of praefectus an. Wy whom he was not only freely forgiven, but was
nonae, of pontifex major, and of quindecemvir received into favour and elevated to the consulship
S. F. In A. D.
360, he was despatched on an em- in a. D. 391, and during the remainder of his life
bassy to the emperor Constantius, at that time in he appears to have taken an active part in public
the East (Amm. Marc. xxi. 12. § 24), and at affairs. The date of his death is unknown, but one of
different periods executed various diplomatic mis- his letters (vii. 50) was written as late as A. D. 402,
sions, to the entire satisfaction of the nobility. As and he was certainly alive when the poem of Pru-
a tribute to his wisdom, influence, and eloquence, dentius, usually assigned to A. D. 404, was pub-
he was usually called upon to deliver his opinion lished. His personal character seems to have been
first in deliberations of the senate, and that body, unimpeachable, as he performed the duties of the
with the consent and approbation of the empercrs high offices which he filled in succession with a
Valens and Valentinianus, passed a rote that a degree of mildness, firmness, and integrity, seldom
gilded statue should be erected in holour of him, I found among statesmen in that corrupt age. The
## p. 960 (#976) ############################################
960
SYMMACHUS.
SYMMACIIUS.
son:-
charge vaguely preferred, and unsupported by any (Hist. xii. 21) that Symmachus lind published
distinct evidence, that he abused his power when many speeches which were greatly admired (aya
chief magistrate of Rome, in order to oppress the dpiotous), not a single remnant of these was known
Christians, seems totally destitute of foundation. to exist until very recently, when Mai discovered
That his leisure hours were devoted exclusively to in one of the palimpsests of the Ambrosian library,
literary pursuits, seems evident from the numerous fragments of eight orations, and subsequently in
allusions in his epistles to the studies in which he another portion of the same palimpsest, deposited
was engaged, and bis friendship with Ausonius in the Vatican, some additional fragments of these
and other distinguished authors of that epoch eight and also a portion of a ninth. The titles
proves that he delighted in associating and cor- are, 1. Laudes in Valentinianum seniorem Augus-
responding with the learned. His wealth must tum I. We have twenty-three short chapters
have been prodigious, for in addition to his town nearly entire ; the beginning and the end of the
mansion on the Caelian Hill (Ep. iii. 12, 88, vii. speech are both wanting. 2. Luules in Valentinico-
18), and several houses in the city which he lent num seniorcm Augustum II. Extending to twenty
to his friends, he possessed upwards of a dozen chapters, in which there are several blanks and
villas in the most delightful parts of Italy, many imperfections; the beginning and the end are
detached farms, together with estates in Sicily and wanting. 3. ' Laudes in Grutiunum Augustuin.
Mauritania. The following inscription contains Extending to twelve chapters interrupted by two
a list of his honours and titles as recorded by his blanks; the beginning and the end are wanting.
4. Laudes in Patres. Extending to four chapters ;
Q. Aur. SYMMACHO. V. C. QUAEST. PRAET. the beginning and the end are wanting. 5. Oru
PONTIFICI. Maiori. CORRECTORI. LUCANIAE. ET. tio pro Patre, returning thanks for the elevation of
BRITTIORUM. COMITI. Ordinis. Tertii. Procons. his father to the consulship. Ten chapters, inter-
AFRICAE. Praef. URB. Cos. ORDINARIO. ORA rupted by one blank ; the beginning and the end
TORI. DisserTISSIMO. Q. Fab. MEM. Summa- | both wanting. 6. Oratio pro Trygetio, recom-
chus. V. C. Patri. OPTIMO.
mending the son of his friend Trygetius for the
The extant works of Symmachus consist of praetorship. (see Ep. i. 44). Four chapters ;
letters and fragments of speeches.
the beginning and the end both wanting. 7.
1. Epistolarum Libri X. , published after his Oratio pro Synesio, recommending the elevation of
death by his son. The last book contains his Synesius, the son of his friend Julianus, to the
official correspondence, and is chiefly composed of dignity of a senator (see Ep. v. 43). Seven
the letters presented by him when praefect of the chapters interrupted by a blank, the portion which
city to the emperors under whom he served. The follows the third chapter having been obtained
remaining books comprise a multitude of epistles, from the Vatican MS. We have here the com-
many of them notes extending to a few lines only, mencement of the speech. 8. Oratio pro Flavio
addressed to a wide circle of relations, friends, and Severo. Four chapters ; the beginning and the
acquaintances. They relate for the most part to end both wanting. 9. Oratio pro Valerio Fortu-
matters of little moment, and notwithstanding the nato, on behalf of a high-born but poor individual
praises so liberally lavished by Politian and Laetus, who was unable to defray the expenses incurred by
are, taken as a whole, uninteresting and destitute officers of the state. Five chapters ; the beginning
of value. The style is elaborated with great and and the end are botn wanting. It will be seen
painful diligence. Pliny was the object proposed that the above are all of a panegyrical or compli.
for imitation, and we are presented with a stiff copy mentary character, and while they exhibit consider-
of a stiff model, in which the degenerate taste and able command of language and grace of expression,
decaying Latinity of the fourth century are en- do not afford an opportunity for the development
grafted on the solemn pedantry and cold affectation of oratorical powers of a high order.
of the original. We must, however, make an We may gather from notices in the epistles and
exception in favour of the most highly finished and in other writers the arguments of several lost ora-
important piece in the collection, the celebrated tions, such as Panegyricus Theodosi senioris (Ep.
epistle “ DDD. Valentiniano, Theodosio et Arcadio ii. 13. ); Panegyricus Marimi tyranni (Socrat.
semper Auggg. ," entreating them to restore the H. E. v. 14, comp. Ep. ii. 31); Oratio de abro-
Altar of Victory to its ancient position in the ganıda censura (Ep. iv. 29, 45, v. 9); Oratio de
senate house. This document, whether we con- Polybii filio (Ep. iv. 45) ; Oratio contra Gildonem,
sider the judicious choice of the arguments employed, (Ep. iv. 4); Gratiarum actio (Ep. vii. 50. This,
the skilful arrangement according to which they as Mai suggests, was perhaps not an oration but an
succeed and mutually support each other, the art epistle, comp. Ep. ii. 22, iii. 81).
with which they are developed, the pointed energy Symmachus composed in verse as well as prose,
with which they are enforced, and at the same among other productions a poetic history of Bauli.
time the tone of moderation and liberality which See the lines in Ep. i. l.
pervades the whole, impresses us with deep admi- Jornandes (de Rebus Get. 15) quotes a long pas-
ration of the genius, learning, dialectic acuteness, sage from an historical work by Symmachus, but it
and eloquence of the author, who seems to have is extremely doubtful whether this Symmachus is
lacked nothing but a good cause for the display of the same person with the Symmachus we have
his talents. Notwithstanding the folly and false- now been discussing.
ness of the doctrines which he advocates, this state The editio princeps of the epistles of Symma-
paper is infinitely superior as a literary composition chus, which contains but a small number of letters,
and a work of art to the well-known reply of St. was printed in 4to. , by Bartholomaeus Cynischus
Ambrosius, which is verbose, abusive, and not of Ameria, and although without date or name of
always honest.
place, is known to have been published during the
II. Novem Orationum Fragmenta. Although pontificate of Pope Julius II. , that is, A. D. 1503
we were told by Socrates (H. E. v. 14) and Callixtus | 1513. The second edition, 4to. Argentorat. 1510,
## p. 961 (#977) ############################################
SYNCELLUS.
961
SYNCELLUS.
is also very imperfect ; but in those printed at a Greek writer of the lower empire, several of whose
Basle, 8vo. 1549, Paris, 4to. 1580, and by Vignon works have been published. From his life of Theo-
and his heirs, 1587, 1598, and 1601, the collection dore Studita, and from a letter of Theodore Studita
was gradually enlarged from MSS. , until it attained to him (Theodor. Studit. Epistol. lib. ii. Ep. 213,
to its present magnitude. No really good edition apud Sirmond. Opera Varia, vol. v. p. 733), we learn
of these letters has yet appeared, but the most that he was a contemporary, apparently a disciple in
useful for general purposes are those of Juretus, the monastic life of that busy ecclesiastic (who died
4to. Paris, 1604, and of Scioppius, 4to. Mogunt. A D. 826), that he was Syncellus of the Greek patri-
1608.
arcl of Jerusalem, Μιχαήλ συγκέλλη Αγιοπολίτη,
The fragments of the eight speeches were first and that he supported the worship of images in the
published by Angelo Mai, 8vo. Mediolan. 1815, in great controversy on that subject in the ninth cen-
a rolume which was reprinted, page for page, at tury. From the title to his Greek version of a
Frankfort, 8vo. 1816, and they will be found ap- letter of Theodore Abucara (THEODORUS, literary
pended to Niebuhr's cdition of Fronto, 8vo. 1816. and ecclesiastical, No. 3) we gather that he was
The extended fragments, comprising the additions Syncellus tn Thomas who held the patriarchate of
to the cight speeches, and the remains of the ninth Jerusalem for about twenty years, from A. D. 80),
obtained from the Vatican MS. , are contained in or, according to other accounts, from 807. Mi-
the “ Scriptorum Veterum Nova Collectio e Vati-chael, however, must have survived both Theodore
canis Codicibus edita ab Angelo Maio,” 4to. Rom. , Studita and the patriarch Thomas, for he suffered
1825, vol. i. ; see also Meyer, Orator. Roman. a long imprisonment for his defence of image wor-
Fragmenta, pp. 627—636, 2d ed.
ship in the reign of the iconoclastic emperor Theo-
4. Q. FABIANUS MEMMIUS SYMMACHUS, son of philus, which extended from A. D. 829 to 842.
the preceding, by his wife Rusticiana, daughter of (Theophanes Continuat. De Thcophilo, c.
writer of a later but unascertained period, and is ann. 574. SS vi. viii. ix).
full of miracles, visions, and other legendary mat- 33. Stylites TERTIUS, PRESBYTEK
ters. It is given, with a valuable Commentarius ARCHIMANDRITA. A third pillar Saint of the
Praevius by Conrad Janninghus, in the Acta Sanc- name of Symeon is reverenced by the Greek and
torum Maii, a. d. xxiv. vol. v. p. 298, &c. Coptic, or Egyptian Jacobite, Churches, on the
Several writings are ascribed to the younger 26th or 27th July. He is mentioned here only
Symeon the Stylite. They are, 1. Nepi cikóvwv, to prevent his being confounded with either of the
De Imaginibus, mentioned by Joannes Damascenus, preceding. He is perhaps the same with the
who cites a passage from it among the passages Symeon Stylites of Aegae in Cilicia, mentioned by
subjoined to his own third oration on the same Joannes Moschus (Pratum Spirituale, c. 57) as
subject. It may be doubted, however, whether having been killed by lightning; and with “Symeon
the title applies to the work from which the cita- Monachus Confessor in Sicilia” (perhaps an error
tion is made, or merely describes the subject of for Cilicia), who appears in some ancient Latin
the cited passage. (Damascenus, Opera, vol. i. Martyrologia on the 27th July. (Acta Sanclorum
p. 386, ed. Le Quien. ) 2. 'ETIOTONA) tpos Tor Julii, a. d. xxvi. vol. vi. p. 310 ; Allatius, De
'lovotiviavdu Baginéa, Epistola ad Justinianum Im- Symeon. Scriptis, p. 22 ; Fabric. Biblioth. Gracc.
peratorem, cited by Sophronius of Jerusalem in his vol. x. p. 525. )
Eurodukti, Epistola Synodica (apud Phot. Bilfioth. 34. THAUMATURGUS. There is a letter noticed
cod. 231). This letter of Symeon was directed by Allatius as extant in MS. , which, after having been
against the Nestorians and Eutychians, and was translated from the original Greek into Syriac, and
much prized by Justinian, who called it“ a treasure. " | from Syriac into Arabic, was, under the mistaken inn.
1
IT
1
## p. 959 (#975) ############################################
SYMMACHUS.
959
SYMMACHUS.
8
pression :hat the original was lost, retranslated from which was dedicated on the 29th of April A. D.
Arabic into Greek. This letter was written by Sy. 377 in the consulship of Gratianus Augustus (IV. )
meon Thaumaturgus to another Symeon designated and Merobaudes. By his wife, the daughter of
Enclistus, who derived his lineage from one of the Acyndinus, he was the father of
emperors or Caesars: Επιστολή του αγίου Συ- 3. Q. AURELIUS SYMMACHUS, who flourished
μεών του Θαυματουργού ήν απεστείλε πρός τινα | towards the close of the fourth century, and
τον από γένους Καίσαρος έγκλειστον μέν γεγενη- stood foremost among his. contemporaries as a
uévov, Epistola S. Symeonis Thaumaturgi quam scholar, a statesman, and an orator. Educated in
misit ad quendam Enclistum genus trahentem a Gaul (Symmach. Ep. ix. 83), apparently at Bour-
Cuesare. There is some reason to conjecture that deaux or Toulouse, in that age the most renowned
Symeon Thaumaturgus is identical with the younger seminaries in the world, in early life he became
Symeon the Stylite (No. 32). (Allatius, De Sy devoted to the liberal arts. By his example and
meor. Scriplis, p. 179; Fabricius, Biblioth. Graec. authority he, at a subsequent period, inspired for a
vol. xi. p. 299. )
time new life and vigour into the literature of his
35. THEOLOGUS JUNIOR 8. Novus Theolo- country, which had long been wasting hy gradual
GUS (ó véos Seonoyos). [No. 16. )
decay, and seemed now to be fast approaching the
36. Of THESSALONICA. Little is known of the hour of dissolution. Having discharged the func-
personal history of Symeon, archbishop of Thessa- tions of quaestor and praetor, he was afterwards
lonica, except that he lived in the first half of the appointed (A. D. 365, Cod. Theod. 8. tit. 5. 8. 25)
fifteenth century, and held his see for between five Corrector of Lucania and the Bruttii ; in A. d. 373
and six years, dying Sept. A. D. 1429, about six (Cod. 'Theod. 12. tit. 1. s. 73 ; comp. Symmach.
months before Thessalonica was taken by the Turks Ep. viii. 10, n. 3) he was proconsul of Africa, and
under Amurath. Joannes Anagnostes, in his De became, probably about the same time, a member
Thessalonicensi Excidio Narratio (c. 3), has noticed of the pontifical college. His zeal for the ancient
the death of Symeon, who was generally lamented ; faith of Rome, which exercised throughout life a
and relates a curious dream, by which his decease and marked influence on his character, checked for a
the subsequent ruin of the city were supposed to be while the prosperous current of his fortunes, and
portended. Symeon was the author of several theo- involved him in danger and disgrace. For having
logical works much esteemed in the Greek Church. been chosen by the senate on account of his sur-
They were published under the care of Dositheus, passing eloquence to remonstrate with Gratian on
patriarch of Jerusalem, folio, Jassy, 1683. Aihe removal of the altar of victory (A. D. 382)
Romaic version of the whole was published, 4to. from their council hall, and on the curtailment of
Leipsic, 1791. Some of the works have been also the sums annually allowed for the maintenance of
published separately. (Allatius, De Symeon. Scriptis, the Vestal Virgins, and for the public celebration
pp. 185–194; Fabric. Biblioth. Graec. vol. xi. p. of sacred rites, he was ordered by the indignant
328, &c. ; Cave, Hist. Litt. Appendix by Wharton emperor to quit the presence, and to withdraw
and Gery, ad annos 1410, 1418, vol. ii. pp. J 13, himself to a distance of one hundred miles from
114; Le Quien, Oriens Christianus, vol. ii. col. 58; Rome. Nothing daunted by this repulse, when
Oudin, Commentarius de Scriptorib. Eccles. vol. iii. appointed praefect of the city (A. D. 384) after the
COL 2242, &C. )
death of his persecutor, he addressed an elaborate
37. VENERABILIS. [No. 24. )
epistle to Valentinianus again urging the restora-
38. XYLOCERCINUS. (No. 16. ) [J. C. M. ) tion of the pagan deities to their former honours.
SYMMACHUS. 1. SYMMACHUS, proconsul The application was again unsuccessful, but did
of Achaia, to whom two laws of Constantine the not upon this occasion prove personally injurious
Great were sent in A. D. 319 (Cod. Theod. 2. tit. to the promoter, who was, however, soon exposed
4. ss. 1, 15), was probably the father of
to a hazard still more perilous than any which he
2. L. AURELIUS AVIANIUS SYMMACHUS, who had previously encountered. In consequence of
flourished about the middle of the fourth century, the hostile feelings which he naturally cherished
and is described by Ammianus Marcellinus (xxvii. against Gratian, he had always sympathised with
3. § 3), as worthy of being ranked among the Maximus, by whom that prince had been conquered
brightest models of learning and virtue. From an and slain. When the pretender was threatening
inscription formerly preserved in the Capitol, and (A. D. 387) to invade Italy his cause was openly ad-
now in the vestibule of the Vatican Library, we vocated by Symmachus, who upon the arrival of
learn that he enjoyed at various periods the digni- Theodosius was impeached of treason, and forced to
ties of praefect of the city (A. D. 364), an office in take refuge in a sanctuary. Having been speedily
which he was the successor of Apronianus (Amm. pardoned through the intercession of numerous and
Marc. L. c. ), of consul (suffect. a. D. 376 ? ), of pro- powerful friends he expressed his contrition and
praefect of the praetorium at Rome and propraefect gratitude in an apologetic address to the conqueror,
of the neighbouring provinces, of praefectus an. Wy whom he was not only freely forgiven, but was
nonae, of pontifex major, and of quindecemvir received into favour and elevated to the consulship
S. F. In A. D.
360, he was despatched on an em- in a. D. 391, and during the remainder of his life
bassy to the emperor Constantius, at that time in he appears to have taken an active part in public
the East (Amm. Marc. xxi. 12. § 24), and at affairs. The date of his death is unknown, but one of
different periods executed various diplomatic mis- his letters (vii. 50) was written as late as A. D. 402,
sions, to the entire satisfaction of the nobility. As and he was certainly alive when the poem of Pru-
a tribute to his wisdom, influence, and eloquence, dentius, usually assigned to A. D. 404, was pub-
he was usually called upon to deliver his opinion lished. His personal character seems to have been
first in deliberations of the senate, and that body, unimpeachable, as he performed the duties of the
with the consent and approbation of the empercrs high offices which he filled in succession with a
Valens and Valentinianus, passed a rote that a degree of mildness, firmness, and integrity, seldom
gilded statue should be erected in holour of him, I found among statesmen in that corrupt age. The
## p. 960 (#976) ############################################
960
SYMMACHUS.
SYMMACIIUS.
son:-
charge vaguely preferred, and unsupported by any (Hist. xii. 21) that Symmachus lind published
distinct evidence, that he abused his power when many speeches which were greatly admired (aya
chief magistrate of Rome, in order to oppress the dpiotous), not a single remnant of these was known
Christians, seems totally destitute of foundation. to exist until very recently, when Mai discovered
That his leisure hours were devoted exclusively to in one of the palimpsests of the Ambrosian library,
literary pursuits, seems evident from the numerous fragments of eight orations, and subsequently in
allusions in his epistles to the studies in which he another portion of the same palimpsest, deposited
was engaged, and bis friendship with Ausonius in the Vatican, some additional fragments of these
and other distinguished authors of that epoch eight and also a portion of a ninth. The titles
proves that he delighted in associating and cor- are, 1. Laudes in Valentinianum seniorem Augus-
responding with the learned. His wealth must tum I. We have twenty-three short chapters
have been prodigious, for in addition to his town nearly entire ; the beginning and the end of the
mansion on the Caelian Hill (Ep. iii. 12, 88, vii. speech are both wanting. 2. Luules in Valentinico-
18), and several houses in the city which he lent num seniorcm Augustum II. Extending to twenty
to his friends, he possessed upwards of a dozen chapters, in which there are several blanks and
villas in the most delightful parts of Italy, many imperfections; the beginning and the end are
detached farms, together with estates in Sicily and wanting. 3. ' Laudes in Grutiunum Augustuin.
Mauritania. The following inscription contains Extending to twelve chapters interrupted by two
a list of his honours and titles as recorded by his blanks; the beginning and the end are wanting.
4. Laudes in Patres. Extending to four chapters ;
Q. Aur. SYMMACHO. V. C. QUAEST. PRAET. the beginning and the end are wanting. 5. Oru
PONTIFICI. Maiori. CORRECTORI. LUCANIAE. ET. tio pro Patre, returning thanks for the elevation of
BRITTIORUM. COMITI. Ordinis. Tertii. Procons. his father to the consulship. Ten chapters, inter-
AFRICAE. Praef. URB. Cos. ORDINARIO. ORA rupted by one blank ; the beginning and the end
TORI. DisserTISSIMO. Q. Fab. MEM. Summa- | both wanting. 6. Oratio pro Trygetio, recom-
chus. V. C. Patri. OPTIMO.
mending the son of his friend Trygetius for the
The extant works of Symmachus consist of praetorship. (see Ep. i. 44). Four chapters ;
letters and fragments of speeches.
the beginning and the end both wanting. 7.
1. Epistolarum Libri X. , published after his Oratio pro Synesio, recommending the elevation of
death by his son. The last book contains his Synesius, the son of his friend Julianus, to the
official correspondence, and is chiefly composed of dignity of a senator (see Ep. v. 43). Seven
the letters presented by him when praefect of the chapters interrupted by a blank, the portion which
city to the emperors under whom he served. The follows the third chapter having been obtained
remaining books comprise a multitude of epistles, from the Vatican MS. We have here the com-
many of them notes extending to a few lines only, mencement of the speech. 8. Oratio pro Flavio
addressed to a wide circle of relations, friends, and Severo. Four chapters ; the beginning and the
acquaintances. They relate for the most part to end both wanting. 9. Oratio pro Valerio Fortu-
matters of little moment, and notwithstanding the nato, on behalf of a high-born but poor individual
praises so liberally lavished by Politian and Laetus, who was unable to defray the expenses incurred by
are, taken as a whole, uninteresting and destitute officers of the state. Five chapters ; the beginning
of value. The style is elaborated with great and and the end are botn wanting. It will be seen
painful diligence. Pliny was the object proposed that the above are all of a panegyrical or compli.
for imitation, and we are presented with a stiff copy mentary character, and while they exhibit consider-
of a stiff model, in which the degenerate taste and able command of language and grace of expression,
decaying Latinity of the fourth century are en- do not afford an opportunity for the development
grafted on the solemn pedantry and cold affectation of oratorical powers of a high order.
of the original. We must, however, make an We may gather from notices in the epistles and
exception in favour of the most highly finished and in other writers the arguments of several lost ora-
important piece in the collection, the celebrated tions, such as Panegyricus Theodosi senioris (Ep.
epistle “ DDD. Valentiniano, Theodosio et Arcadio ii. 13. ); Panegyricus Marimi tyranni (Socrat.
semper Auggg. ," entreating them to restore the H. E. v. 14, comp. Ep. ii. 31); Oratio de abro-
Altar of Victory to its ancient position in the ganıda censura (Ep. iv. 29, 45, v. 9); Oratio de
senate house. This document, whether we con- Polybii filio (Ep. iv. 45) ; Oratio contra Gildonem,
sider the judicious choice of the arguments employed, (Ep. iv. 4); Gratiarum actio (Ep. vii. 50. This,
the skilful arrangement according to which they as Mai suggests, was perhaps not an oration but an
succeed and mutually support each other, the art epistle, comp. Ep. ii. 22, iii. 81).
with which they are developed, the pointed energy Symmachus composed in verse as well as prose,
with which they are enforced, and at the same among other productions a poetic history of Bauli.
time the tone of moderation and liberality which See the lines in Ep. i. l.
pervades the whole, impresses us with deep admi- Jornandes (de Rebus Get. 15) quotes a long pas-
ration of the genius, learning, dialectic acuteness, sage from an historical work by Symmachus, but it
and eloquence of the author, who seems to have is extremely doubtful whether this Symmachus is
lacked nothing but a good cause for the display of the same person with the Symmachus we have
his talents. Notwithstanding the folly and false- now been discussing.
ness of the doctrines which he advocates, this state The editio princeps of the epistles of Symma-
paper is infinitely superior as a literary composition chus, which contains but a small number of letters,
and a work of art to the well-known reply of St. was printed in 4to. , by Bartholomaeus Cynischus
Ambrosius, which is verbose, abusive, and not of Ameria, and although without date or name of
always honest.
place, is known to have been published during the
II. Novem Orationum Fragmenta. Although pontificate of Pope Julius II. , that is, A. D. 1503
we were told by Socrates (H. E. v. 14) and Callixtus | 1513. The second edition, 4to. Argentorat. 1510,
## p. 961 (#977) ############################################
SYNCELLUS.
961
SYNCELLUS.
is also very imperfect ; but in those printed at a Greek writer of the lower empire, several of whose
Basle, 8vo. 1549, Paris, 4to. 1580, and by Vignon works have been published. From his life of Theo-
and his heirs, 1587, 1598, and 1601, the collection dore Studita, and from a letter of Theodore Studita
was gradually enlarged from MSS. , until it attained to him (Theodor. Studit. Epistol. lib. ii. Ep. 213,
to its present magnitude. No really good edition apud Sirmond. Opera Varia, vol. v. p. 733), we learn
of these letters has yet appeared, but the most that he was a contemporary, apparently a disciple in
useful for general purposes are those of Juretus, the monastic life of that busy ecclesiastic (who died
4to. Paris, 1604, and of Scioppius, 4to. Mogunt. A D. 826), that he was Syncellus of the Greek patri-
1608.
arcl of Jerusalem, Μιχαήλ συγκέλλη Αγιοπολίτη,
The fragments of the eight speeches were first and that he supported the worship of images in the
published by Angelo Mai, 8vo. Mediolan. 1815, in great controversy on that subject in the ninth cen-
a rolume which was reprinted, page for page, at tury. From the title to his Greek version of a
Frankfort, 8vo. 1816, and they will be found ap- letter of Theodore Abucara (THEODORUS, literary
pended to Niebuhr's cdition of Fronto, 8vo. 1816. and ecclesiastical, No. 3) we gather that he was
The extended fragments, comprising the additions Syncellus tn Thomas who held the patriarchate of
to the cight speeches, and the remains of the ninth Jerusalem for about twenty years, from A. D. 80),
obtained from the Vatican MS. , are contained in or, according to other accounts, from 807. Mi-
the “ Scriptorum Veterum Nova Collectio e Vati-chael, however, must have survived both Theodore
canis Codicibus edita ab Angelo Maio,” 4to. Rom. , Studita and the patriarch Thomas, for he suffered
1825, vol. i. ; see also Meyer, Orator. Roman. a long imprisonment for his defence of image wor-
Fragmenta, pp. 627—636, 2d ed.
ship in the reign of the iconoclastic emperor Theo-
4. Q. FABIANUS MEMMIUS SYMMACHUS, son of philus, which extended from A. D. 829 to 842.
the preceding, by his wife Rusticiana, daughter of (Theophanes Continuat. De Thcophilo, c.
