Germanus

Germanus, called "patricius" (Greek: πατρίκιος; died c. 605), was a leading member of the Byzantine senate during the reign of Maurice.

Identification and family

Theophylact Simocatta describes him as "an exceedingly distinguished man, who was a most illustrious member of the senate." However, there is no named relative of Germanus. His name has led to a possible identification with an identically named posthumous son of Germanus (cousin of Justinian I) and Matasuntha, or an unnamed son of the general Justinian, the second son of the senior Germanus. Many historians equate the patricius Germanus with the caesar Germanus , a son-in-law of Tiberius II Constantine and Ino Anastasia that refused to be emperor.

Under Phocas

That night, on 22 November 602, Maurice fled Constantinople to escape the advancing rebels. Germanus took his chance to claim the throne. He tried to enlist the support of the Greens by conveying an agreement to their leader. But he had miscalculated as the Greens firmly rejected him for his well-known support for the Blues. Germanus immediately turned to support Phocas, the leader of the rebels. According to Theophylact, Phocas had briefly considered elevating Germanus to the throne, but instead seized the throne for himself. Phocas was crowned on 23 November and entered Constantinople two days later. He captured and executed Maurice and his sons.

A rumor of the time suggested that Germanus had managed to save the life of Theodosius by bribing Phocas' men. Theophylact dismisses any truth to the rumor. In any case, Phocas did not trust Germanus. The Chronicon mentions Germanus being made a priest in 603. Theophanes considers this to be a direct decision by Phocas, who had discovered Germanus conspiring against him. For this plot, he writes that in 605, Germanus organized Constantina's escape to Hagia Sophia and tried to win over the Greens, but the faction members rejected them. However, some modern historians believe that Theophanes confused his story and was instead re-narrating their initial incarceration in 603 and Germanus' failed attempt for the throne.

Constantina and all three of her daughters were executed at Chalcedon. Germanus and his unnamed daughter were also executed on the island of Prote. The daughter had been the widow of Theodosius. Theophanes places the deaths in 605/606 but the exact date is in doubt.