Chronicle 2.53–3
Authorship disputed: Migne prints a composite recension: part 2 is Prosper's chronicle; part 1 (a chronology from Adam, drawn from Jerome's Chronicle) and the appendix are not certainly his.
Latin text: Migne, PL 51 (Latin text: Migne, Patrologia Latina, digitized by Open Greek and Latin (patrologia_latina-dev, University of Leipzig), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).
Chapter 2
2.53PL 51:599
EUDOXIO COSS. Hunnis Thraciam et Illyricum sæva depopulatione vastantibus, exercitus qui in Sicilia morabatur, ad defensionem orientalium partium revertitur. Cum Geiserico autem a Valentiniano Augusto pax confirmata, et certis spatiis Africa inter utrumque divisa est. In Geisericum etiam apud suos de successu rerum superbientem, quidam optimates ipsius conspiraverunt. Sed molitione detecta, multis ab eo suppliciis excruciati atque exstincti sunt. Cumque idem audendum etiam ab aliis videretur, multis regis suspicio exitio fuit, ut hac sui cura plus virium perderet, quam si bello superaretur. MAXIMO II ET
EUDOXIUS, CONSULS. As the Huns were laying waste Thrace and Illyricum with savage devastation, the army that was staying in Sicily returns to defend the Eastern regions. Peace was confirmed with Gaiseric by the Augustus Valentinian, and Africa was divided between them by fixed boundaries. Certain of Gaiseric's nobles conspired against him, as he was growing proud among his own people because of his success. But the plot was discovered, and they were tortured with many punishments and put to death by him. And since others too seemed likely to dare the same, the king's suspicion was the ruin of many, so that by this concern for himself he lost more of his strength than if he had been defeated in war. MAXIMUS II AND
Notes and citation
Summary: The Huns ravage Thrace and Illyricum, Valentinian makes peace with Gaiseric dividing Africa, and Gaiseric executes conspiring nobles.
- The opening completes the heading "Dioscorus and Eudoxius". The consular heading at the end continues in the next section.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; split word; stray letter): Thraci im → Thraciam; Cumqne → Cumque; MAXIMO II ET i → MAXIMO II ET.
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.53 (PL 51:599; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-53). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-53
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-53) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.54PL 51:599
PATERIO COSS. Hoc tempore plurimos Manichæos intra Urbem latere diligentia papæ Leonis innotuit, qui eos de secretis suis erutos, et oculis totius Ecclesiæ publicatos, omnes dogmatis sui turpitudines et damnare fecit et prodere; incensis eorum codicibus, quorum magnæ moles fuerant interceptæ. Quae cura viro sancto divinitus, ut apparuit, inspirata, non solum Romanæ urbi, sed etiam universo orbi plurimum profuit. Siquidem confessionibus in Urbe captorum, qui doctores eorum, qui episcopi, quive presbyteri, in quibus provinciis vel civitatibus degerent, patefactum est. Multique Orientalium partium sacerdotes industriam apostolici rectoris imitati sunt.
PATERIUS, CONSULS. At this time, through the diligence of Pope Leo, it became known that very many Manichees were hiding within the City. He dug them out of their secret places and exposed them before the eyes of the whole church, and made them both condemn and disclose all the foulnesses of their dogma; their books, of which great heaps had been seized, were burned. This care, inspired in the holy man by God, as it appeared, was of very great benefit not only to the city of Rome but to the whole world. For by the confessions of those caught in the City it was revealed who their teachers, who their bishops or presbyters were, and in which provinces or cities they lived. And many bishops of the Eastern regions imitated the diligence of the apostolic ruler.
Notes and citation
Summary: Pope Leo uncovers the Manichees hidden at Rome, has their books burned, and their confessions expose their leaders elsewhere.
- The opening completes the heading "Maximus II and Paterius" (443).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slip and stray mark; OCR slips; line-break debris and OCR slips): papæ Lennis innotuit. qui → papæ Leonis innotuit, qui; totins hcclesiæ publicatos, omnes dogmatis sui turpitudines ct → totius Ecclesiæ publicatos, omnes dogmatis sui turpitudines et; appiruit → apparuit; imi- tali sunl → imitati sunt.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.54 (PL 51:599; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-54). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-54
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-54) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.55PL 51:599
THEODOSIO XVIII ET ALBINO COSS. Hoc anno Pascha Domini IX kalendas Maii celebratum est, nec erratum est. Quia in die undecima kalendarum Maiarum dies Passionis fuit. Ob cujus reverentiam natalis urbis Romæ sine circensibus transiit. Attila rex Hunnorum Bledam fratrem et consortem in regno suum perimit, ejusque populos sibi parere compellit. VALENTINIANO VI ET
THEODOSIUS XVIII AND ALBINUS, CONSULS. This year the Lord's Easter was celebrated on the ninth day before the Kalends of May, and there was no error, because the day of the Passion fell on the eleventh day before the Kalends of May. Out of reverence for it, the birthday of the city of Rome passed without circus games. Attila king of the Huns kills his brother Bleda, his partner in the kingdom, and forces his peoples to obey him. VALENTINIAN VI AND
Notes and citation
Summary: Easter is kept on 23 April, Rome's birthday passes without games, and Attila murders his brother Bleda.
- Easter on 23 April 444 had been disputed between Rome and Alexandria. The Passion fell on 21 April, Rome's traditional founding day. The consular heading continues in the next section.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; leaked footnote letter): celebratumn → celebratum; VALENTINIANO VI ET k → VALENTINIANO VI ET.
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.55 (PL 51:599; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-55). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-55
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-55) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.56PL 51:599–601
NOMO COSS.
NOMUS, CONSULS.
Notes and citation
Summary: A consular year with no entry.
- The heading is "Valentinian VI and Nomus" (445), begun in the previous section.
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.56 (PL 51:599–601; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-56). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-56
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-56) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.57PL 51:601
ÆTIO III ET SYMMACHO.
AETIUS III AND SYMMACHUS.
Notes and citation
Summary: A consular year with no entry.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (leaked footnote letter): SYMMACHO. a → SYMMACHO..
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.57 (PL 51:601; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-57). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-57
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-57) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.58PL 51:601
CALLEPIO ET ARDABURE. [Eutyches hæresiarches Constantinopolitanus presbyter, fretus Theodosii Augusti amicitia, conatus est non perfectum hominem in Christo asserere. Contra quem Flavianus ejusdem urbis episcopus suscipiens...., cum sacerdotibus suis damnatus est, auctore Dioscoro Alexandrinæ urbis episcopo. Contra quem papa Urbis Leo misit episcopum, presbyterum, et diaconum. Qui injuriam passi, Flavianum nuntiant in defensione catholica per injurias gravissimas defecisse.
CALEPIUS AND ARDABUR. [Eutyches the heresiarch, a presbyter of Constantinople, relying on the friendship of Theodosius Augustus, attempted to assert that there is not a complete man in Christ. Flavian, bishop of the same city, taking up the case against him ..., was condemned with his bishops, at the instigation of Dioscorus, bishop of the city of Alexandria. Against Dioscorus Leo, pope of the City, sent a bishop, a presbyter, and a deacon. They, having suffered injury, report that Flavian had died in the catholic defense through the most grievous injuries.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: An added entry reports Eutyches's teaching, Flavian's condemnation at Dioscorus's instigation, Leo's legates, and Flavian's death.
- The edition prints this entry and the next in square brackets as additions found in some manuscripts; they are not part of Prosper's text in its earliest form. The printed text marks a gap after "taking up the case". The events are the Home Synod of Constantinople (448) and the Second Council of Ephesus (449).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip): Constanlinopolitis → Constantinopolitanus; Chrisio → Christo; dcfensione → defensione.
Topics: Heresy, Christology
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.58 (PL 51:601; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-58). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-58
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-58) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.59PL 51:601
POSTHUMIANO ET ZENONE. Theodosius imperator pro defensione Euthychetis Leonem papam Urbis ad se vocat: qui dum ire vellet, a populo prohibitus, presbyteros et diacones direxit.
POSTUMIANUS AND ZENO. The emperor Theodosius, in defense of Eutyches, summons Leo, pope of the City, to himself; Leo, when he wished to go, was prevented by the people, and sent presbyters and deacons.
Notes and citation
Summary: An added entry reports that Theodosius summoned Leo on Eutyches's behalf and that Leo sent legates instead.
- Part of the bracketed addition begun in the previous section.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; leaked footnote letter; line-break debris): POSTIIUMIANO → POSTHUMIANO; vel- let → vellet; diacones direxit. b → diacones direxit..
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.59 (PL 51:601; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-59). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-59
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-59) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.60PL 51:601
ASTURIO ET PROTOGENE. Iterum vocati catholici audiendi.] Hoc tempore Eutychiana hæresis exorta est, auctore Eutyche quodam presbytero, qui apud Constantinopolim monasterio celeberrimo præsidebat, praedicans Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum, beatae Mariæ Virginis Filium, nihil maternæ habuisse substantiæ, sed sub specie hominis solam in eo Verbi Dei fuisse naturam. Ob quam impietatem a Flaviano ejusdem urbis episcopo, quia corrigi noluit, condemnatus est. Sed fidens amicitia regia et aulicorum favore, ab universali synodo se poposcit audiri: annuente imperatore Theodosio, qui ob hujus causæ retractationem omnes episcopos jussit Ephesum convenire. In quo concilio Dioscorus Alexandrinus episcopus primatum sibi vindicans, absoluto Eutyche, in Flavianum episcopum Constantinopolitanum damnationis sententiam tulit: reclamante Hilario diacono Ecclesiæ Romanae, qui vice sancti Leonis papæ, cum Julio episcopo Puteolano a sede Apostolica fuerat destinatus. Nam cum omnes episcopi in concilio constituti, vi et metu comitum, vel militum, quos Dioscoro Alexandrinae urbis episcopo attribuerat imperator, compellerentur huic hæresi accommodare consensum; memoratus diaconus inter tot vitæ pericula constitutus, voce contradictionis emissa, cum in ejus propter hoc perniciem sæviretur; relictis illic omnibus suis, latenter abscessit, ut praefato papæ, vel caeteris Italiæ sacerdotibus, qualiter ibi catholica fides fuerat violata, sua delatione promeret. Sanctus vero Flavianus, inter manus eorum, a quibus in exsilium ducebatur, glorioso ad Christum fine transivit.
ASTURIUS AND PROTOGENES. The catholics are called again to be heard.] At this time the Eutychian heresy arose, its author being a certain presbyter Eutyches, who presided over a most celebrated monastery at Constantinople, preaching that Jesus Christ our Lord, Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, had nothing of his mother's substance, but that under the appearance of a man there was in him only the nature of the Word of God. For this impiety he was condemned by Flavian, bishop of the same city, because he would not be corrected. But trusting in the friendship of the king and the favor of the courtiers, he asked to be heard by a universal synod; the emperor Theodosius agreed and ordered all the bishops to meet at Ephesus for the reconsideration of this case. In that council Dioscorus, bishop of Alexandria, claiming the primacy for himself, acquitted Eutyches and pronounced a sentence of condemnation against Flavian, bishop of Constantinople, while Hilary, deacon of the Roman church, protested; he had been sent from the apostolic see in place of the holy Pope Leo, together with Julius, bishop of Puteoli. For when all the bishops gathered in the council were being compelled by the force and fear of the counts and soldiers whom the emperor had assigned to Dioscorus, bishop of the city of Alexandria, to give their consent to this heresy, the deacon we have mentioned, placed amid so many dangers to his life, uttered his voice in contradiction; and when they raged for his destruction because of it, he left all his belongings there and slipped away secretly, so that by his report he might make known to the aforesaid pope and the other bishops of Italy how the catholic faith had been violated there. And the holy Flavian, in the hands of those who were leading him into exile, passed over to Christ by a glorious end.
Notes and citation
Summary: Eutyches denies that Christ had his mother's substance; condemned by Flavian, he is acquitted at the Second Council of Ephesus under Dioscorus, which condemns Flavian over the protest of Leo's legate Hilary, and Flavian dies on the way to exile.
- The first sentence closes the bracketed addition begun at 2.58. The Second Council of Ephesus (449) was afterward called the "Robber Synod". The account is Prosper's, translated as written.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slip and stray mark; leaked footnote letter; line-break debris): celcberrimo → celeberrimo; specie bominis → specie hominis; Diosconus → Dioscorus; damnatio- nis → damnationis; Leunis papæ → Leonis papæ; destinatus c. Nam → destinatus. Nam; attrihuerat imperator. compellerentur → attribuerat imperator, compellerentur; constiiutus → constitutus; omnihus → omnibus; manus corum → manus eorum.
Topics: Heresy, Christology
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.60 (PL 51:601; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-60). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-60
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-60) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.61PL 51:601–603
VALENTINIANO VII ET AVIENO. Prævalente iterum papa Leone, diriguntur ad Orientem presbyteri et diacones, ad hæresim confutandam. Et eodem anno defecit Theodosius Augustus. Theodosio imperatore diem functo, et Chrysaphio praeposito, qui amicitia principis male usus fuerat, interempto; MARCIANUS consensione totius exercitus suscepit regnum, vir gravissimus, et non solum reipublicae, sed etiam Ecclesiæ pernecessarius. Hujus edictis apostolicæ sedis auctoritatem secutis, synodus Ephesina damnatur, et apud Chalcedonem celebrari concilium episcopale decernitur: ut correctis venia mederetur, et pertinaces cum hæresi depellerentur. Placidia defuncta est kalendas Decembris. MARCIANO AUGUSTO ET FLAVIO ADELPHIO. Attila post necem fratris, auctus opibus interempti, multa vicinarum sibi gentium millia cogit in bellum, quod Gothis tantum se inferre, tamquam custos Romanæ amicitiæ denuntiabat. Sed cum transito Rheno sævissimos ejus impetus multæ Gallicanæ urbes experirentur, cito et nostris et Gothis placuit, ut furori superborum hostium consociatis exercitibus repugnaretur. Tantaque Aetii patricii providentia fuit, ut raptim congregatis undique bellatoribus viris, adversæ multitudini non impar occurreret. In quo conflictu, quamvis neutris cedentibus, inæstimabiles strages commorientium factæ sint, Chunnos tamen eo constat victos fuisse, quod amissa prœliandi fiducia, qui superfuerant ad propria reverterunt.
VALENTINIAN VII AND AVIENUS. Pope Leo prevailing again, presbyters and deacons are sent to the East to refute the heresy. And in the same year Theodosius Augustus died. When the emperor Theodosius had died, and Chrysaphius the chamberlain, who had misused the emperor's friendship, had been put to death, MARCIAN took up the rule with the consent of the whole army, a most serious man and most necessary not only to the state but also to the church. By his edicts, which followed the authority of the apostolic see, the synod of Ephesus was condemned, and an episcopal council was decreed to be held at Chalcedon, so that those who were corrected might be healed by pardon, and the obstinate, together with the heresy, be driven out. Placidia died on the Kalends of December. MARCIAN AUGUSTUS AND FLAVIUS ADELPHIUS. Attila, after the murder of his brother, enlarged by the wealth of the one he had killed, forces many thousands of neighboring peoples into a war which he announced he was waging only against the Goths, as a guardian of Roman friendship. But when, after he had crossed the Rhine, many cities of Gaul experienced his most savage attacks, both our side and the Goths quickly agreed to resist the fury of the proud enemy with united armies. And so great was the foresight of the patrician Aetius that, gathering warriors hastily from everywhere, he met the hostile multitude on equal terms. In that conflict, though neither side gave way, incalculable slaughter of those dying together took place; yet it is clear that the Huns were defeated in this, that, having lost confidence in fighting, those who survived returned to their own lands.
Notes and citation
Summary: Theodosius II dies, Marcian becomes emperor, condemns the Second Council of Ephesus, and calls the Council of Chalcedon; Aetius and the Goths fight Attila to a standstill in Gaul.
- The first two sentences may still belong to the added material of 2.58–2.60. The battle is that of the Catalaunian Plains (451).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slips and leaked footnote letter; leaked footnote letter; split word and OCR slip): Augustus. e Theodosio → Augustus. Theodosio; synodus Ephesina damnatus → synodus Ephesina damnatur; pertinaces cuti hæresi → pertinaces cum hæresi; inter empti, multa vicinarum sini gentium → interempti, multa vicinarum sibi gentium; providentia flii → providentia fuit; præ, liandi fiducia, qui supe' fuerant ad propria reverterunt, a → prœliandi fiducia, qui superfuerant ad propria reverterunt..
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.61 (PL 51:601–603; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-61). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-61
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-61) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.62PL 51:603
HERCULANO ET SPORATIO. Attila redintegratis viribus quas in Gallia amiserat, Italiam ingredi per Pannonias intendit, nihil duce nostro Aetio secundum prioris belli opera prospiciente; ita ut ne clusuris quidem Alpium, quibus hostes prohiberi poterant, uteretur: hoc solum spei suis superesse existimans, si ab omni Italia cum imperatore discederet. Sed cum hoc plenum dedecoris et periculi videretur, continuit verecundia metum, et tot nobilium provinciarum latissima eversione creditum est sævitia et cupiditas hostilis expleta: nihilque inter omnia consilia principis ac senatus, populique Romani salubrius visum est, quam ut per legatos pax truculentissimi regis expeteretur. Suscepit hoc negotium cum viro consulari Avieno, et viro præfectorio Trigetio beatissimus papa Leo auxilio Dei fretus, quem sciret numquam piorum laboribus defuisse. Nec aliud secutum est quam præsumpserat fides. Nam tota legatione dignanter accepta, ita summi sacerdotis præsentia rex gavisus est, ut et bello abstineri præciperet, et ultra Danubium promissa pace discederet. OPILIONE V. C. CONSULE. Synodus Chalcedonensis peracta, Eutyche Dioscoroque damnatis: omnes autem qui se ab eis retraxerunt, in communionem receptis, confirmata universaliter fide, quæ de incarnatione Verbi secundum Evangelicam et Apostolicam doctrinam per sanctum papam Leonem prædicabatur. Attila in sedibus suis mortuo, magna primum inter filios ipsius certamina de obtinendo regno exorta sunt: deinde aliquot gentium, quæ Chunis parebant, defectus secuti, causas et occasiones bellis dederunt, quibus ferocissimi populi mutuis incursibus contererentur. Apud Gothos intra Gallias consistentes, inter filios Theodurici regis, quorum Thorismodus maximus natu patri successerat, orta dissensio est. Et cum rex ea moliretur, quæ et Romanæ paci, et Gothicæ adversarentur quieti, a germanis suis, quia noxiis dispositionibus irrevocabiliter instaret, occisus est.
HERCULANUS AND SPORACIUS. Attila, having restored the strength he had lost in Gaul, set out to enter Italy through the Pannonias, while our general Aetius made no provision at all in keeping with his work in the former war, so that he did not even use the barriers of the Alps, by which the enemy could have been kept out, thinking that the only hope left for his people was to withdraw from all Italy together with the emperor. But since this seemed full of disgrace and danger, shame restrained fear, and it was believed that the enemy's savagery and greed had been sated by the very widespread overthrow of so many noble provinces; and among all the counsels of the emperor, the senate, and the Roman people nothing seemed more salutary than to seek peace from the most savage king through envoys. The most blessed Pope Leo undertook this business, with the consular Avienus and the former prefect Trigetius, relying on the help of God, whom he knew had never failed the labors of the pious. And nothing followed but what faith had presumed. For the whole embassy was received graciously, and the king was so pleased by the presence of the high priest that he ordered war to be given up and, having promised peace, withdrew beyond the Danube. OPILIO, VIR CLARISSIMUS, CONSUL. The synod of Chalcedon was completed, Eutyches and Dioscorus being condemned, and all who withdrew from them being received into communion, the faith being universally confirmed which was preached by the holy Pope Leo concerning the incarnation of the Word according to the teaching of the Gospels and the Apostles. When Attila died in his own lands, great contests first arose among his sons over obtaining the kingdom; then the secessions of several peoples who had obeyed the Huns followed, which gave causes and occasions for wars, in which these most savage peoples were worn down by mutual attacks. Among the Goths settled within the Gauls, a dissension arose among the sons of King Theoderic, of whom Thorismod, the eldest, had succeeded his father. And when the king was planning things hostile both to the Roman peace and to the quiet of the Goths, he was killed by his brothers, because he pressed on irrevocably with his harmful plans.
Notes and citation
Summary: Attila invades Italy, Pope Leo's embassy persuades him to withdraw, the Council of Chalcedon condemns Eutyches and Dioscorus, Attila dies, and the Gothic king Thorismod is killed by his brothers.
- Leo's meeting with Attila took place near Mantua in 452. The Council of Chalcedon met in 451; Prosper records its outcome here. "The barriers of the Alps" reads the printed "clusuris Alopium".
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slips; line-break debris; line-break debris and OCR slip; split word): amise- rat → amiserat; duce nostro Actio → duce nostro Aetio; clusuris quidem Alopium, quibus hostes prohiberi poterant, uteretur:hoc solum spei suis superesse existimans, si ah omni → clusuris quidem Alpium, quibus hostes prohiberi poterant, uteretur: hoc solum spei suis superesse existimans, si ab omni; crediti est → creditum est; per legatus pax → per legatos pax; auxilio Dai fretus, quem sciret numquam pioruin lahoribus → auxilio Dei fretus, quem sciret numquam piorum laboribus; tota legat onc dignanter accepts, ita summi sacerdolis → tota legatione dignanter accepta, ita summi sacerdotis; Eulyche → Eutyche; in communionem recepi, → in communionem receptis,; quæ Chuis parebant, delectus → quæ Chunis parebant, defectus; incursi bus → incursibus; occi- SUi est → occisus est.
Topics: Heresy, Christology
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.62 (PL 51:603; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-62). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-62
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-62) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.63PL 51:603
AETIO ET STUDIO. Inter Valentinianum Augustum et Aetium patricium, post promissæ invicem fidei sacramenta, post pactum de conjunctione filiorum, diræ inimicitiae convaluerunt, et unde fuit gratia charitatis augenda, inde exarsit fomes odiorum, incentore ( ut creditum est) Heraclio spadone, qui ita sibi imperatoris animum insincero famulatu astrinxerat, ut eum facile in quæ vellet impelleret. Cum ergo Heraclius sinistra omnia Imperatori de Aetio persuaderet, hoc unum creditum est saluti principis profuturum, si inimici motiones suo opere præoccupasset. Unde Aetius, dum placita instantius repetit, et causam filii commotius agit, imperatoris manu et circumstantium gladiis crudeliter confectus est: Boethio præfecto prætorio simul perempto, qui eidem multa amicitia copulabatur.
AETIUS AND STUDIUS. Between the Augustus Valentinian and the patrician Aetius, after oaths of mutual faith had been given and after an agreement on the marriage of their children, dire enmities grew strong; and where the grace of affection should have been increased, from there the tinder of hatred blazed up, the instigator (as was believed) being the eunuch Heraclius, who had so bound the emperor's mind to himself by insincere service that he could easily drive him wherever he wished. So when Heraclius kept persuading the emperor of every evil concerning Aetius, this one thing was believed likely to benefit the emperor's safety: if he forestalled the moves of his enemy by his own act. So Aetius, while he pressed too insistently for what had been agreed and pleaded his son's cause too vehemently, was cruelly slain by the emperor's hand and the swords of those standing around; Boethius the praetorian prefect, who was joined to him in close friendship, was killed at the same time.
Notes and citation
Summary: Incited by the eunuch Heraclius, Valentinian III kills Aetius with his own hand, together with the prefect Boethius.
- The agreed marriage was between Valentinian's daughter and Aetius's son Gaudentius.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slip and line-break debris; leaked footnote letter; split word; words joined in the digital text): AF.TIO → AETIO; Actium pa- tricium → Aetium patricium; in vicem → invicem; et ulle fuit → et unde fuit; inquæ vellet → in quæ vellet; de Aeio persuaderet → de Aetio persuaderet; Unde Actius → Unde Aetius; inperatoris → imperatoris; copulabatur d. → copulabatur..
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.63 (PL 51:603; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-63). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-63
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-63) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
2.64PL 51:603–605
VALENTINIANO VIII ET ANTHEMIO. Mortem Aetii mors Valentiani non longo post tempore consecuta est, tam inprudenter non declinata, ut interfector Aetii amicos armigerosque ejus sibimet consociaret. Qui concepti facinoris opportunitatem dissimulanter aucupantes, egressum extra Urbem principem, et ludo gestationis intentum, inopinatis ictibus confoderunt; Heraclio simul, ut erat proximus, interempto, et nullo ex multitudine regia ad ultionem tanti sceleris accenso. Ut autem hoc parricidium perpetratum est, MAXIMUS, vir gemini consulatus et patriciæ dignitatis, sumpsit imperium. Qui cum periclitanti reipublicæ, per omnia profuturus crederetur, non sero documento quid animi haberet probavit: si quidem interfectores Valentiniani, non solum non plexerit, sed etiam in amicitiam receperit, uxoremque ejus Augustam, amissionem viri lugere prohibitam, intra paucissimos dies in conjugium suum transire coegerit. Sed hac incontinentia non diu potitus est. Nam post alterum mensem, nuntiato ex Africa Geiserici regis adventu, multisque nobilibus ac popularibus ex Urbe fugientibus, cum ipse quoque, data cunctis abeundi licentia, trepide vellet abscedere, septuagesimo septimo adepti imperii die a famulis regiis dilaniatus est, et membratim dejectus in Tiberim, sepultura quoque caruit. Post hunc Maximi exitum, confestim secuta est multis digna lacrymis Romana captivitas, et Urbem omni praesidio vacuam Gensericus obtinuit, occurrente sibi extra portas sancto Leone episcopo, cujus supplicatio ita cum Deo agente lenivit, ut cum omnia potestatis ipsius essent, tradita sibi civitate, ab igne tamen et cæde atque suppliciis abstineretur. Per quatuordecim igitur dies, secura et libera scrutatione, omnibus opibus suis Roma vacuata est. multaque millia captivorum, prout quique, aut aetate, aut arte placuerunt, cum regina et filiabus ejus Carthaginem abducta sunt. Eodem anno Pascha Dominicum die VIII kalendas Maii celebratum est, pertinaci intentione Alexandrini episcopi, cui omnes Orientales consentiendum putaverunt: quamvis sanctus papa Leo XV kalendas Maii potius observandum protestaretur. Exstant ejusdem papæ epistolæ ad clementissimum principem Marcianum datæ, quibus ratio veritatis sollicitam evidenter patefacta est; et quibus Ecclesia catholica instrui potest quod hæc persuasio studio unitatis et pacis tolerata sit potius quam probata, numquam deinceps imitanda: ut quæ exitialem attulit offensionem, omnem in perpetuum perdat auctoritatem.
VALENTINIAN VIII AND ANTHEMIUS. The death of Valentinian followed the death of Aetius not long after, and was so imprudently left unguarded against that the slayer of Aetius took Aetius's friends and armed attendants into his own company. They, secretly watching for an opportunity for the crime they had conceived, when the emperor had gone out of the City and was intent on the sport of riding, stabbed him with unexpected blows; Heraclius, who was next to him, was killed at the same time, and no one of the royal throng was roused to avenge so great a crime. When this parricide had been committed, MAXIMUS, a man of two consulships and of patrician rank, took the empire. Though he was believed likely to benefit the endangered state in every way, he soon proved by evidence what mind he had: for he not only did not punish the killers of Valentinian but even received them into friendship, and forced Valentinian's wife, the Augusta, forbidden to mourn the loss of her husband, to pass into marriage with himself within a very few days. But he did not long enjoy this incontinence. For in the second month, when the coming of King Gaiseric from Africa was announced, and many nobles and common people were fleeing from the City, and he himself, having given everyone leave to go, wished to depart in fear, on the seventy-seventh day after obtaining the empire he was torn to pieces by the royal servants, thrown limb by limb into the Tiber, and was deprived even of burial. After this end of Maximus there followed at once the captivity of Rome, worthy of many tears, and Gaiseric took the City, empty of all defense. The holy bishop Leo met him outside the gates, and his supplication, with God at work, so softened him that, although everything was in his power, the city having been handed over to him, he nevertheless refrained from fire, slaughter, and torture. So for fourteen days, by a secure and free search, Rome was emptied of all its wealth, and many thousands of captives, according as each pleased by age or skill, were carried off to Carthage with the empress and her daughters. In the same year the Lord's Easter was celebrated on the eighth day before the Kalends of May, through the persistent purpose of the bishop of Alexandria, with whom all the Easterners thought they should agree, although the holy Pope Leo protested that the fifteenth day before the Kalends of May should rather be observed. There survive letters of the same pope addressed to the most clement emperor Marcian, in which the reasoning of the truth was carefully and clearly laid open; and from which the catholic church can learn that this view was tolerated for the sake of unity and peace rather than approved, and is never to be imitated hereafter, so that what brought deadly offense may lose all authority for ever.
Notes and citation
Summary: Valentinian III is murdered, Maximus seizes the empire and forces Valentinian's widow to marry him, Maximus is killed as Gaiseric approaches, Leo persuades Gaiseric to spare Rome from fire and slaughter during the sack of 455, and Easter is kept on the Alexandrian date over Leo's protest.
- The widow was the Augusta Eudoxia, whom Maximus forced to marry him within days of her husband's death; this touches remarriage. Leo's letters on the Easter date of 455 are Letters 121, 137, and 138.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slips; OCR slips and line-break debris; leaked footnote letter; line-break debris; split word): Mortem Actii mors Valentiani non, lougo → Mortem Aetii mors Valentiani non longo; interfector Actii → interfector Aetii; aucupanies → aucupantes; multitudino → multitudine; accenso. e Ut → accenso. Ut; MA- XIMUS → MAXIMUS; plecterit → plexerit; in, tra paucissimos dies in conjugiuni → intra paucissimos dies in conjugium; Geiiserici → Geiserici; adventu, a multisque → adventu, multisque; rcgiis dilaniatus est, ct membratim dejectus in Ti- bern → regiis dilaniatus est, et membratim dejectus in Tiberim; Muximi exitum, confestim secuta est multisdigna → Maximi exitum, confestim secuta est multis digna; Lcone → Leone; ut curn omnia → ut cum omnia; ab igno tamen et cade → ab igne tamen et cæde; cap ivorum → captivorum; kalendas Mati → kalendas Maii; clemenssimum → clementissimum; ca- tholica → catholica.
Topics: Divorce and remarriage
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 2.64 (PL 51:603–605; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-64). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/2-64
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-2-64) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.
Chapter 3
3PL 51:607
VARANE ET JOHANNE. CONSTANTINO ET RUFO. ARDABURE ET MAXIMIANO. Post consulatum Theodosii XVII et Festi, Geisericus Vandalorum rex Carthaginem ingressus est, die xiv kalendarum Novembrium. Qui rexit eamdem Africam civitatem annis XXXVIII, mensibus III, diebus VI. Post hunc regnavit Hunerix, filius ejus, annis VII, mensibus x, diebus XVIII. Qui in fine anni VII regni sui catholicæ Ecclesiæ persecutionem fecit, omnesque Ecclesias clausit, et cunctos Domini catholicos sacerdotes, cum Eugenio Carthaginensi episcopo exsilio relegavit. Qui Dei judicio scatens vermibus vitam finivit. Post eum regnavit Guntamundus Gentunis ejusdem Hunerici regis fratris filius annos XI, menses IX, dies XI. Qui tertio anno regni sui cœmeterium sancti martyris Agilei apud Carthaginem catholicis dare præcipit, Eugenio Carthaginensi episcopo ab eodem jam de exsilio revocato. Decimo autem anno regni sui, Ecclesias catholicorum aperuit, et omnes Dei sacerdotes, petente Eugenio Carthaginensi episcopo, de exsilio revocavit. Quæ Ecclesiæ fuerunt clausæ annos XI, menses vi, dies v, hoc est, ab octavo anno Hunerici, id est, ex die VII idus Februarii, usque in decimum annum regis Guntamundi, in diem IV idus Augusti. In quo completi sunt supradicti anni x, menses vi, dies v. Qui memoratus Guntamundus rex postmodum vixit annos II, menses I. Post quem regnavit Trasamundus Gentunis filius annos XXVI, menses VIII, dies IV. Ab exordio ergo imperii Aviti, usque ad annum XXVII Trasamundi.... XVIII. A XIV anno autem imperii et morte Valentis, usque in annum XXV Trasamundi, anni sunt CXVIII. Post quem regnavit Hildrix, filius Hunerici, annos VIII, dies VIII. Qui in exordio regni sui Bonifacium episcopum apud Carthaginem in Ecclesia sancti Agilei ordinari praecepit, et omnibus catholicis libertatem restituit. Quo regnante, assumpta tyrannide Geilamir regnum ejus invadit, in quod sedit annos III, menses III. Qui tanta homicidia scelestus commisit, ut nec suis parentibus parceret. Fiunt ergo ab exordio regis Geiserici, usque ad exitum Vandalorum, anni XCIII, menses x, dies XI. Ab interitu vero Valentis in xiv anno regi ejus, usque ad supra dictum tempus, anni CLIV. Collecta ergo omnium summa annorum ab Adam usque ad Vandalorum perditionem fiunt anni VMDCCXXXIII.
VARANES AND JOHN. CONSTANTINE AND RUFUS. ARDABUR AND MAXIMIANUS. After the consulship of Theodosius XVII and Festus, Gaiseric king of the Vandals entered Carthage on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of November. He ruled that city of Africa for 38 years, 3 months, and 6 days. After him reigned Huneric, his son, for 7 years, 10 months, and 18 days. At the end of the seventh year of his reign he made a persecution of the catholic church, closed all the churches, and banished all the catholic priests of the Lord, with Eugenius bishop of Carthage, into exile. By God's judgment he ended his life swarming with worms. After him reigned Gunthamund, son of Gento, brother of the same King Huneric, for 11 years, 9 months, and 11 days. In the third year of his reign he ordered the cemetery of the holy martyr Agileus at Carthage to be given to the catholics, Eugenius bishop of Carthage having already been recalled from exile by him. In the tenth year of his reign he opened the churches of the catholics, and at the request of Eugenius bishop of Carthage recalled all the priests of God from exile. These churches were closed for 10 years, 6 months, and 5 days, that is, from the eighth year of Huneric, from the seventh day before the Ides of February, to the tenth year of King Gunthamund, to the fourth day before the Ides of August; in this the aforesaid 10 years, 6 months, and 5 days were completed. The said King Gunthamund lived afterward 2 years and 1 month. After him reigned Thrasamund, son of Gento, for 26 years, 8 months, and 4 days. From the beginning of the empire of Avitus to the twenty-seventh year of Thrasamund ... 18 [years]. From the fourteenth year of the empire and the death of Valens to the twenty-fifth year of Thrasamund, there are 118 years. After him reigned Hilderic, son of Huneric, for 8 years and 8 days. At the beginning of his reign he ordered Boniface to be ordained bishop at Carthage in the church of Saint Agileus, and restored liberty to all catholics. In his reign Gelimer seized tyranny and invaded his kingdom, in which he sat for 3 years and 3 months. He was so wicked as to commit such murders that he did not spare even his own relatives. So from the beginning of King Gaiseric to the end of the Vandals there are 93 years, 10 months, and 11 days. And from the death of Valens in the fourteenth year of his reign to the time stated above, 154 years. So the sum of all the years from Adam to the destruction of the Vandals comes to 5,733 years.
Notes and citation
Summary: An appendix lists the Vandal kings of Africa from Gaiseric's capture of Carthage to Gelimer and the end of the Vandal kingdom, with Huneric's persecution of the catholics and their later restoration.
- This section is a later continuation by another hand, carrying the Vandal kings to the fall of their kingdom (534), long after Prosper's death; it is printed in Migne after Prosper's Chronicle. Several figures are garbled or lost in the printed text: "10 years" for the closure of the churches reads the printed "XI" by the sum given in the same sentence, and a number is missing after "the twenty-seventh year of Thrasamund". "Gunthamund, son of Gento" translates the garbled "Guntamundus Gentunis".
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slips; leaked footnote letter; line-break debris and OCR slips; stray mark; words joined and leaked footnote letter; words joined in the digital text): Carthaginemingressus → Carthaginem ingressus; Novembrium. a Qui → Novembrium. Qui; annis vn → annis VII; persecitonem → persecutionem; cathulicos → catholicos; scatens vernibus → scatens vermibus; ejusdein → ejusdem; episcopo. ab eodem → episcopo ab eodem; dc cxsilio → de exsilio; Fe- bruarii, usque in dccimum annum regis Guntamun- dit → Februarii, usque in decimum annum regis Guntamundi; supradicti a anni → supradicti anni; II enses I. → menses I.; annum e xxv → annum XXV; llildrix → Hildrix; Bonifacium ] episcopum → Bonifacium episcopum; Geilamrr → Geilamir; Fiuntergo ab exordio e regis → Fiunt ergo ab exordio regis.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Prosper of Aquitaine, Chron. 3 (PL 51:607; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/3). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-chronicon/3
BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-prosper-chronicon-3) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina 51 (Corpus Corporum digital text, CC BY-SA; corrections logged); no public-domain English translation exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.