Library › St Gregory of Tours › History of the Franks
History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 6, 30. Of the Death of the Emperor Tiberius
In this year1 the emperor Tiberius passed from the world, leaving to his peoples great grief over his death. For he was a man of the utmost goodness, ready in charity, just in his decisions, very cautious in forming judgement, looking down on no man, but embracing all in equal benevolence; loving all men, he was beloved of all. When he fell sick, and saw that he might not hope to live, he called to him the empress Sophia, to whom he said: ‘Behold, my days are fulfilled; now with thy counsel will I choose the man who should be head of the commonwealth. Choose we a strong man to follow me in so great a power.’ The empress chose a certain Maurice, and said: ‘This is a man both strenuous and wise, who hath many a time won victories over our enemies, doing battle for the State.’ This she said, because she thought to espouse him after the emperor’s death. But when Tiberius learned the thought of the empress that Maurice should be chosen, he commanded his own daughter to be decked with the imperial ornaments, and summoning Maurice to him, said: ‘Behold, with the consent of the empress thou art chosen to be emperor. And that thou mayst be more firmly stablished, I give thee now my daughter.’ Then the princess approached, and her father gave her to Maurice, with these words: ‘Let my imperial power pass to thee with this maid; use it in prosperity, and remember ever to find thy joy in equity and justice.’ Maurice received the young girl, and took her home; and after the marriage had been solemnized, Tiberius died. When the public mourning was over, Maurice, arrayed in the diadem and fine linen, proceeded to the Hippodrome.2 He was received with acclamations, and having given the people the usual largess, was confirmed in possession of the empire.
Notes
- The emperor had really died in the previous year (582).
- Cf. V. 23 (30).