E05273: Ammianus Marcellinus tells of victims of the Christian emperor Valentinian (364-375), commemorated in Milan (northern Italy) as the 'Innocents', and of an execution which was cancelled by the same emperor lest the sentenced persons be venerated as martyrs. Res Gestae, written in Latin in Rome, in the 380s.
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posted on 2018-03-27, 00:00 authored by robertAmmianus Marcellinus, Res gestae 27.7.5-6
(5.) Eminuit tamen per id tempus inter alias humilium neces mors Dioclis ex comite largitionum Illyrici, quem ob delicta breuia flammis iussit exuri, et Diodori ex agente in rebus triumque apparitorum potestatis uicariae per Italiam ideo necatorum atrociter, quod apud eum questus est comes Diodorum quidem aduersus se ciuiliter implorasse iuris auxilium, officiales uero iussu iudicis ausos monere proficiscentem, ut responderet ex lege. quorum memoriam apud Mediolanum colentes nunc usque Christiani locum, ubi sepulti sunt, Ad Innocentes appellant. (6.) Dein cum in negotio Maxentii cuiusdam Pannonii ob exsecutionem a iudice recte maturari praeceptam trium oppidorum ordines mactari iussisset, interpellauit Eupraxius tunc quaestor et "parcius" inquit "agito, piissime principum; hos enim, quos interfici tamquam noxios iubes, ut martyras, id est diuinitati acceptos, colit religio Christiana".
'(5.) Most conspicuous, however, at that time was the death (among the executions of other persons of low rank) of Diocles, former head of the state treasury in Illyricum, whom the emperor ordered to be burned to death because of some small offences; and also that of Diodorus, former agens in rebus, and of three attendants of the Vicarius of Italy; all these suffered cruel execution because the commanding general (comes) complained to the emperor that Diodorus had implored the aid of the law against him in a civil case, and that the officials, by order of the judge, had ventured to summon him as he was going on a journey, to answer to the action according to law. The memory of these victims is still honoured by the Christians in Milan, who call the place where they are buried "At the Innocents". (6.) Later, in the affair of a certain Maxentius of Pannonia, when the judge had rightly commanded a speedy execution, the emperor ordered the death of the decurions of three towns; but Eupraxius, who was then quaestor, intervened, saying: “Act more mercifully, most dutiful emperor, for these men whom you order to be put to death as criminals the Christian religion will honour as martyrs (that is to say, as beloved of God).”'
Text: Seyfarth 1978. Translation: Rolfe, 1935-39, adapted
(5.) Eminuit tamen per id tempus inter alias humilium neces mors Dioclis ex comite largitionum Illyrici, quem ob delicta breuia flammis iussit exuri, et Diodori ex agente in rebus triumque apparitorum potestatis uicariae per Italiam ideo necatorum atrociter, quod apud eum questus est comes Diodorum quidem aduersus se ciuiliter implorasse iuris auxilium, officiales uero iussu iudicis ausos monere proficiscentem, ut responderet ex lege. quorum memoriam apud Mediolanum colentes nunc usque Christiani locum, ubi sepulti sunt, Ad Innocentes appellant. (6.) Dein cum in negotio Maxentii cuiusdam Pannonii ob exsecutionem a iudice recte maturari praeceptam trium oppidorum ordines mactari iussisset, interpellauit Eupraxius tunc quaestor et "parcius" inquit "agito, piissime principum; hos enim, quos interfici tamquam noxios iubes, ut martyras, id est diuinitati acceptos, colit religio Christiana".
'(5.) Most conspicuous, however, at that time was the death (among the executions of other persons of low rank) of Diocles, former head of the state treasury in Illyricum, whom the emperor ordered to be burned to death because of some small offences; and also that of Diodorus, former agens in rebus, and of three attendants of the Vicarius of Italy; all these suffered cruel execution because the commanding general (comes) complained to the emperor that Diodorus had implored the aid of the law against him in a civil case, and that the officials, by order of the judge, had ventured to summon him as he was going on a journey, to answer to the action according to law. The memory of these victims is still honoured by the Christians in Milan, who call the place where they are buried "At the Innocents". (6.) Later, in the affair of a certain Maxentius of Pannonia, when the judge had rightly commanded a speedy execution, the emperor ordered the death of the decurions of three towns; but Eupraxius, who was then quaestor, intervened, saying: “Act more mercifully, most dutiful emperor, for these men whom you order to be put to death as criminals the Christian religion will honour as martyrs (that is to say, as beloved of God).”'
Text: Seyfarth 1978. Translation: Rolfe, 1935-39, adapted
History
Evidence ID
E05273Saint Name
Martyrs, unnamed or name lost : S00060Related Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Other narrative texts (including Histories)Language
- Latin
Evidence not before
380Evidence not after
391Activity not before
364Activity not after
391Place of Evidence - Region
Rome and regionPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
RomePlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Rome Rome Rome Roma Ῥώμη RhōmēCult activities - Places
Burial site of a saint - tomb/graveCult activities - Places Named after Saint
- Other
