Cyrus of Panopolis

For other people of the same name, see Cyrus (disambiguation).

Flavius Taurus Seleucus Cyrus (floruit 426-441), better known as Cyrus of Panopolis (Greek: Κύρος ὁ Πανοπολίτης) 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).

Life

As an author of eulogies, epigrams 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.

Bibliography

• Dzielska, Maria, Hypatia of Alexandria, Harvard University Press, 1995, ISBN 0-674-43776-4, p. 31.

Preceded by Imp. Caesar Flavius Placidius Valentinianus Augustus V, Anatolius	Consul of the Roman Empire 441 without co-consul	Succeeded by Flavius Dioscorus, Flavius Eudoxius
Preceded by Flavius Florentius (II)	Praetorian prefect of the East 439-441	Succeeded by Thomas