Celer (magister officiorum)

Flavius Celer (Greek: Κέλερ) was a Byzantine general and magister officiorum under Emperor Anastasius in the early 6th century.

Celer was of Illyrian origin,^[1] and nothing is known of his early life. In 503, Emperor Anastasius named him general in the ongoing war against the Sassanid Persians in the East.^[2] In the spring of 504, he led his men to participate in the ongoing siege of Amida, but soon after left and engaged in an invasion of Persian-held territory, retaking several cities and returning with much booty. In late 504, he engaged in negotiations with the Persians, which resulted in a temporary truce.^[3] In 505, he was again active on the eastern frontier, but is not reported to have engaged in major operations; he did however continue contacts with the Persians, ransoming Amida for 1,100 pounds of gold. In autumn 506, he led the Byzantine negotiations with the Persians at Dara which resulted in the conclusion of a peace treaty.^[3] Perhaps as a reward, he was named consul for 508; he had already been appointed as magister officiorum sometime ca. 503–504.^[4]

Celer was still in office at the time of the ascension of Justin I in July 518, but was soon after removed from office. Following that, he participated in the negotiations with the Patriarch of Rome to end the Acacian Schism.^[5] He is described by chroniclers as wise, well-educated, a capable administrator and personally brave. The date or manner of his death is not recorded, save for a reference to it being "unfortunate".^[3]

References

Bibliography

• Bury, John Bagnell (2000). A History of the Later Roman Empire from Arcadius to Irene (395 A.D. to 800 A.D.), Volume 1. 
• Martindale, John R.; Jones, A.H.M.; Morris, J. (1992). The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire. II. Cambridge University Press. pp. 275–277. ISBN 9780521201599.