Maximianopolis (Palestine)

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Maximianopolis was an ancient city in Palestina Secunda, the modern name being Rummanah, a resumption of its ancient name of Rimmon. The name Maximianopolis (City of Maximian) was given to it by Diocletian in honour of his co-emperor Maximian.

Identified with Hadad-rimmon

Jerome identified Maximianopolis with the Hadad-rimmon of Zechariah 12:11 -

On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo

The mention of the Hadad-rimmon mourning may be a reference to pagan worship ceremonies or to an event such as the death of Josiah, mortally wounded in the Battle of Megiddo (609 BC).[1]

Episcopal see

In the time of the so-called Pilgrim of Bordeaux and of Jerome,[2] the town already bore the name of Maximianopolis. Three of its ancient bishops are known:

  • Paul, in 325
  • Megas, in 518
  • Domnus, in 536[3]

Within the same see was situated the camp of the Legio VI Ferrata at a place that was known as Legio. In the Latin version of an episcopal Notitia Episcopatuum, probably of the 11th century, the name "Legionum" is given to what in the original Greek text is Maximianopolis. Legio became Lajjun, closer than Maximianopolis to Megiddo.[4]

The ancient episcopal see is now included, under the name Maximianopolis in Palaestina, in the list of titular sees given in the Annuario Pontificio.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Holman Bible Dictionary, "Hadad-Rimmon"
  2. ↑ "Comment. in Zachar.", ad cap. xii, 11; "Comment. In Oz.", 5.
  3. ↑ Siméon Vailhé, "Maximianopolis" in Catholic Encyclopedia (New York 1911)
  4. ↑ Siméon Vailhé, "Legio" in Catholic Encyclopedia (New York 1910)
  5. ↑ Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 925
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