Ablabius

Ablabius was a Byzantine would-be assassin, known for a failed attempt to kill Emperor Justinian I (r. 527–565) in 562. The main sources about him are John Malalas and Theophanes the Confessor.

Biography Ablabius was a son of Meltiades. Nothing else is known about his family, and Ablabius's exact status in society is uncertain. The primary texts describe him as "ο Μελιστής" (the Melistes). This Greek word has two meanings, one of them being a name for a musician, related to the term melody ("singing, chanting"). A comment of Theophanes implies that Ablabius was a member of an entire faction of such people. Alan Cameron suggests that this was a circus faction, affiliated to the Blues and Greens of the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The second meaning is "monetarius" ("mint master", moneyer/münzmeister); thus, an official of the imperial mint. This term derives from μελίζει (melizei, "to cut"). Anastasius Bibliothecarius, who translated the chronicle of Theophanes to Latin, understood the term to have this meaning. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange, an influential 17th-century historian, considered this the most likely meaning.

Interpretation The motives of the conspirators are not addressed in primary sources. James Evans suggests they could be traced to the grievances of the business world with Emperor Justinian. The Lazic War against the Sassanid Empire had recently ended, and the peace terms required the Byzantines to pay an annual sum of 30,000 solidi to the Sassanids. However, the first seven years were to be paid in advance, and an estimated 2,900 gold pounds had to be delivered at once. Emperor Justinian required the businessmen to pay the money to the state in a form of a forced loan. The Byzantine treasury was reportedly burdened with debts when Emperor Justin II (r. 565–578) rose to the throne.

Instead of reducing further expenses, Emperor Justinian had increased pressure on the businessmen. In the summer of 562, money-changers, silver merchants, and jewel merchants found themselves required to put up "a costly display of lights" for the consecration of a new church dedicated to Theodora the Martyr. It is thought that this may have led directly to the assassination plot. On the other hand, Peter N. Bell connects the murder plot with the lack of popular support for Emperor Justinian in the final years of his reign. He points out that Agathias, Menander Protector, and Flavius Cresconius Corippus all paint "unflattering" and "gloomy" portrayals of the state of the Byzantine Empire during this period. Corripus even claims: "the old man [Justinian] no longer cared; he was altogether cold ... many things were too much neglected while [he] was alive". Corripus was making a comparison between Justinian I and Justin II, which might explain his negative view on Emperor Justinian. But his views are consistent with those of the other authors.

Aftermath Sergius was eventually dragged away from his sanctuary and interrogated under torture. His confessions implicated two more silversmiths and a curator in the service of Belisarius, so that Belisarius himself came under suspicion and was arrested. He was placed on trial by Procopius, urban prefect of Constantinople; it is uncertain whether this was the same person as Procopius of Caesarea, the noted historian.

Belisarius was placed under house arrest, while all his attendants were dismissed from service. Six months later, he was pardoned by Emperor Justinian I. Belisarius and Emperor Justinian died within a few weeks of one another in November of 565.