Cassiodorus

Predecessor
 Died
 Religion

**Cassiodorus** (12 June 1253 – 4 September 1330), nicknamed "**Sapiens"** (Greek: *Sophos*, English: *the Wise*), was Roman emperor from 1318 to 1330. He became emperor upon the death of Belisarius, who had named him Caesar some 15 years earlier. Belisarius is thought to have chosen him because he was childless, relatively old, and well respected.

In 1324, at the age of 71 he retired to his home in Scolacium, where he had a great palace, the Castellum Vivit, and left the running of the empire to his anointed Caesar and heir, Athanasius. However the following year would see the outbreak of the Athanasian Plague, named for Athanasius who the plague killed. With his heir dead Athanasius returned to Rome where he once again took the reigns of the empire. An avid scholar, Cassiodorus distributed edicts across the empire to deal with the plagues drawing from older medical texts, such as those of Aemilia Hilaria and Galen, his ordered measures are thought to have substantially reduced the impact of the plague.

## Early Life and Career

Cassiodorus was born into a wealthy Roman family in Calabria, Italy, and he received a classical education in rhetoric, grammar, and philosophy. He began his career as a civil servant in the interregnum, where he quickly rose through the ranks and earned a reputation as a skilled and capable administrator.

In the early 14th century, Cassiodorus was appointed to serve as the chief advisor to the emperor Belisarius. Belisarius, despite having children of his own, despised nepotism and believed that the mantle of imperial leadership should be passed between experienced men of acclaim, rather than from father to son. Thus he named Cassiodorus as Caesar in 1303. Belisarius saw in him a suitable candidate for the position due to his old age, lack of children, and reputation for wisdom and good judgement. Cassiodorus would serve as Caesar for 15 years, during which time he proved to be a capable and effective leader.

## Reign

In 1318, upon Belisarius' death, Cassiodorus was coronated as emperor in Rome. He immediately set about consolidating his power and expanding the empire's territories through a combination of diplomacy and military might. During his reign, he solidified the restoration of Belisarius, and he led a period of relative peace. Though there were some minor military actions, particularly in Spain and the East.

One of the first challenges of his reign came shortly after his coronation in 1318 when the Second Palmyrene Empire collapsed. Palmyra had long been a thorn in the side of the empire, and Cassiodorus saw an opportunity to retake Syria and prevent a potential new power consolidating power in the region. The consul Athanasius was quickly dispatched to the region along with a sizable Roman force. In the subsequent campaign Athanasius swiftly was able to reestablish Roman rule over the region. Cassiodorus was greatly impressed by both Athanasius' martial prowess, but also his diplomatic ability, though which he was able to secure much of the former Palmyrene territory bloodlessly through diplomacy, and his agile negotiations that avoided a war with Persia. In recognition of his success, Cassiodorus named Athansius Caesar.

Cassiodorus was also known for his patronage of the arts and sciences. He was an avid scholar who wrote extensively on a wide range of subjects, including theology, history, and philosophy. He worked with the Pope and oversaw the construction of a new library and Christian school in Rome, which he named the Vivarium, where he collected and preserved numerous important texts. The new school merged classical, secular, and Christian traditions into one place of learning and would become the main center of education and discourse in the empire for many years to follow.

## Athanasian Plague

In 1324, at the age of 71, Cassiodorus retired to his home in Scolacium and left the running of the empire to his designated heir and Caesar, Athanasius. However, the following year saw the outbreak of the Athanasian Plague, named after Athanasius who succumbed to the disease. With his heir dead, Cassiodorus returned to Rome to once again take the reins of the empire.

An avid scholar and patron of medicine, Cassiodorus quickly issued edicts and distributed medical knowledge throughout the empire to help combat the spread of the disease. These measures included quarantines, the disinfection of public spaces, and the use of herbal remedies to treat the symptoms of the disease. Although the pandemic still claimed the lives of many throughout the Roman Empire, Cassiodorus' ordered measures are thought to have substantially reduced the impact of the plague.

## Later life and death

In 1329, the plague having passed, he once more retired to his home in Scolacium, leaving the running of the empire to his new heir, Junillus, who was named Caesar the year prior. According to historical accounts, Cassiodorus had been in poor health for some time before his death. Although the exact nature of his ailment is not known he unfortunately spent his last months in great pain and discomfort. Despite his declining health, he continued to rule the Roman Empire with the same wisdom and vigor that had characterized his reign. He died in 1330 and was succeeded by Junillus.

## Legacy

Cassiodorus' contributions to Roman culture and intellectual life were significant. His library, the Vivarium, was renowned for its collection of important texts and served as a center of learning and scholarship for generations to come. His writings on history, theology, and other subjects continue to be studied and valued by scholars today.