Page 197 - Envoys and Political Communication in the Late Antique West 411 - 533

The saint as envoy: bishops’ Lives

[Epiphanius] did not wish to go himself in the near future to the unconquered
king Theoderic, lest, being before him in person, he should appear to exact
a return for his labour, either in public thanks or in a display of rewards. For,
after the completion of princes’ orders, one who himself announces that he
has executed the task demands repayment as if it were owed to him. This the
astute and forsightful man keenly desired to shun. Yet he wrote and commit-
ted to letters a report of what had occurred, so that he would not be judged
either contemptuous by being silent or intemperate by arrogantly presenting
himself. 233
In lieu of a reward for his services, Theoderic granted the modest bishop
his request for financial aid to the returned captives. Ennodius uses
Epiphanius’ abstemiousness to his credit. By contrast, more conventional
agents of courts were clearly expected not only to report in person, but to
claim public honour and monetary rewards as their due. 234 The writings
of officials atthe courtof Theoderic, including those of a friend and
patron of Ennodius, show how contemporary palatine agents cultivated
and profited from just such praise and reward.

praise; whether the report is in person is unclear (94: Nepoti effectum peractae legationis insinuat,et
crescente laudum cumulo humilitas in eo pariter sentibat augmentum).
233 Ennodius, Vita Epiphani, 179–80: Ad regem invictissimum Theodericum per se mox ire noluit,ne forte
laboris sui vicissitudinem in relatione gratiarum aut in exhibitione munerum coram positus videretur exigere.
Flagitat enim quasi debitam retributionem,qui profligatis principum iussionibus ipse quid actum sit actor
adnuntiat. Hoc ergo ille totius acuminis vir prospiciens declinare gestiebat. Scripsit tamen et quae gesta
sint loqui commisit epistulis,ne aut tacendo contemptor aut occurrendo per adrogantiam pronuntiaretur
intemperans.
234 Report in person to a ruler would often be required to maintain secrecy, just as the initial
commission of an embassy was carried out secretius; cf. Ennodius, Vita Epiphani, 136 and below,
chapter 5 n. 44.

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