A pagan governor of Harran (1)

Text
Michael the Syrian, Chronicle 2.375-376:
At that time the emperor Maurice (582-602) ordered Stephanos, bishop of Harran, to institute a persecution against the pagans of Harran. Some he managed to convert to Christianity, while many who resisted he carved up, suspending their limbs in the main street of the town. Then the governor in authority over the town was discovered to be making sacrifices in secret, hiding under the cloak of Christianity. He was denounced before the bishop by his secretary, who uncovered and revealed the matter. When this had been confirmed he was crucified, and in his position of authority the secretary, who had uncovered the affair, was appointed. The man’s name was Iyarios, from whom the house of Iyar are descended; he was an orphan whom his parents had abandoned in a colonia of Armenia Prima, in one of the villages of Nikopolis; there, having learnt to read and write, he became a secretary. On coming to Harran he attached himself to Akindynos who was in authority over Harran. When Akindynos was exposed, as we have just said, and was found to be a pagan and sacrificing, he was for that reason put to death and Iyarios took his place.

Source (list of abbreviations)
Michael the Syrian, Chronicle 2.375-376

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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