Abaskiron

**Abaskiron** (Greek: Ἄπα Ἰσχυρίων) is a prisoner in Alexandria, along with his brothers Menas (12) and Iacobus (6). Abaskiron was once a high-ranking official in the empire, but an unsuccessful revolt early in the reign of Emperor Maurice led to Abaskiron's capture, public humiliation, and imprisonment.

## Early life

Abaskiron was born in the 6th century in the town of Aykilah (Zawiya), Egypt, near Alexandria. His parents' identities are unknown, but his family was said to be wealthy. His brothers were Menas and Iacobus. Abaskiron was the eldest.

Abaskiron had at least one son, Isaac (6).

Abaskiron was called a *nasaha* ("scribe") in Ethiopic texts, which Martindale conjectures meant a title of learning of some sort, such as *scholastic* or *grammarian*.

The three brothers were friends of the agustalis (governor) of Egypt, Ioannes (169).

## Appointment as Topoteres/Tribune

At an unknown date, Governor Ioannes appointed Abaskiron, his brothers, and his son as overseers of large areas of Egypt. Their official titles were never explicitly named. The responsibility of overseer has been interpreted to mean that they held the role of either topoteres or tribune.

The joint rule of overseers was plagued by scandals. They used their time to plant themselves firmly in the Egyptian Delta. They abused their positions to attack members of the Blues and sacked the towns of Bana and Bousir, killing many and burning down their public baths.

Ioannes and an unnamed prefect from Bousir reported the violence to Maurice (the prefect had fled the city of Bousir under cover of night for Constantinople), and the emperor sent instructions to fire the men.

## Rebellion of the Three Brothers

> *Main article: Rebellion of the Three Brothers*
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In response to dismissal, the men gathered a band of followers armed with horses, swords, and weapons of war. The group seized grain ships bound for Alexandria, provoking a famine there. They became a rebellion, attacking various parts of Egypt, seizing more grain ships, and confiscating imperial monies whenever found. Isaac even launched a raid on Cyprus with a "brilliant dash" of three ships.

Meanwhile, the mob rose up against Ioannes, who blamed the former governor for the famine because of his old friendship with Abaskiron and his brothers. They nearly killed him, were it not for the intervention by members of the local Coptic Church. Ioannes' friendship did him no favors with the emperor either. A letter arrived from citizens of Alexandria describing the famine, and Maurice ordered Paulus (26) to replace Ioannes as governor with special orders to restore order at Aykilah.

Paulus either did not, or could not, stop the three brothers. Abaskiron's movement gained new followers, and the ability of the Romans to control Egypt was threatened. Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria, and his deacon Ailas were sent to negotiate with the rebels. They met with the three brothers in Aykilah, which was joined by many members of the Blues and the Greens. Negotiations lasted quite some time; Abaskiron, Menas, and Iacobus demanded pardons and the return of Ioannes as governor.

By now the trio ruled all of northern Egypt, and their followers began collecting imperial taxes for themselves. With disaster at hand, Maurice decided to send Ioannes back to Egypt along with General Theodorus (59).

When Theodorus arrived at Egypt, he learned that one of the chief complaints of Abaskiron and his brothers was that two Egyptian men, Cosmas and Banon, had been arrested by the Roman Empire without charges or public trial. Theodore not only ordered the two prisoners to be set free, but that three other men imprisoned at the same time be released as well. Further, Theodore ordered all of them to ride with his troops through Egypt to show them off to the rebels.

The rebels were camped on one side of the Nile. Theodore's army set up camp on the other side. That night, the general produced Cosmas and Banon, and made them plea with the rebels to return home for the Empire would soon destroy them.

The plan worked. The vast majority of the rebels crossed the river and surrendered, leaving the three brothers with only their closest followers. The remaining rebels were determined to die fighting, and kept the Roman army at bay through the day, retreating to Abu San by nightfall. When morning broke, the rebels realized they would not be able to withstand a Roman attack on their position and fled again, this time towards Alexandria. They fought while they ran, and they were soon overpowered and captured by the Romans.

## Imprisonment

The three brothers and Isaac were placed on camels and paraded through the streets of Alexandria. After, they were thrown in cells, which is where they rot today. They should have been executed, but Ioannes, the governor and their friend, declined to do anything more.

## After 600 AD

The three brothers and their rebellion will not be forgotten. Emperor Constantine III (who will not be born for 12 more years) will eventually order their executions, but by this time, Ioannes will have been replaced by a new governor. Now an old man, Abaskrion will be beheaded and his son sent into exile.

## References

* Joh. Nik. 97.
* Martindale, 1-2.
* Butcher, Chtp. XXIX.