Anatolius (Osroene)

Anatolius was apparently a man of humble origins. He eventually rose to high office, gaining in political significance. He lived for some time in Antioch, which was renamed at the time Theopolis ("City of God"). He conducted his business in the city and was personally acquainted with Patriarch Gregory of Antioch (term 571–593). Arrest In 578, the Byzantine authorities received reports on an impending revolt of crypto-pagans in Baalbek. Theophilus, an official who had previously faced revolts by Jews and Samaritans, was tasked with locating said crypto-pagans. Suspects were arrested and interrogated under torture, forced to name other "pagans". Soon Theophilus had lists of names, including prominent citizens spread throughout the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. The persecution spread to the rest of these provinces. Theophilus was searching for Rufinus, a high priest of the pagans, who "had lately gone on a visit to Anatolius". Theophilus followed the man to Edessa. == Interpretation ==

Sources and reliability Michael Whitby examines the reliability of the primary sources. He points that Evagrius Scholasticus could have been present at Antioch and a first-hand witness to the events. He might also have access to the accounts of other witnesses and contemporaries, but notes that Evagrius' account is sketchy at best on the early stages of the scandal. He focuses more on the implication of Gregory of Antioch and the threat to the Patriarch. His account of events contains many "divine signs". On the other hand, John of Ephesus' version offers a wealth of "circumstantial information" and even includes mention of the official records. He views events from a Monophysite perspective but seems more credible in this case. Pagans in the 6th century Concerning events at Constantinople, Whitby notes that the population had a reason to fear that the prisoners would get light sentences. Tiberius II Constantine had a reputation for "leniency in religious matters". A previous chapter of John has Tiberius even tolerating Arianism until a riot had forced him to renew persecution. Under constant threat of popular riots, the tolerant Tiberius turned into a persecutor of pagans and heretics. Whitby even makes direct allusions to the Inquisition when describing this wave of persecution. == References ==