Agapetus

(Ἀγαπητός).

1. Metropolitan Bishop of Rhodes, A. D. 457. When the Emperor Leo wrote to him for the opinion of his suffragans and himself on the council of Chalcedon, he defended it against Timotheus Aelurus, in a letter still extant in a Latin translation, Conciliorum Nova Collectio à Mansi, vol. vii. p. 580.

2. St., born at Rome, was Archdeacon and raised to the Holy See A. D. 535. He was no sooner consecrated than he took off the anathemas pronounced by Pope Boniface II. against his deceased rival Dioscorus on a false charge of Simony. He received an appeal from the Catholics of Constantinople when Anthimus, the Monophysite, was made their Bishop by Theodora. [Anthimus.] The fear of an invasion of Italy by Justinian led the Goth Theodatus to oblige St. Agapetus to go himself to Constantinople,, in hope that Justinian might be diverted from his purpose. (See Brexivrium S. Liberati, ap. Mansi, Concilia, vol. ix. p. 695.) As to this last object he could make no impression on the emperor, but he succeeded in persuading him to depose Anthimus, and when Mennas was chosen to succeed him, Agapetus laid his own hands upon him. The Council and the Synodal (interpreted into Greek) sent by Agapetus relating to these affairs may be found ap. Mansi, vol. viii. pp. 869, 921. Complaints were sent him from various quarters against the Monophysite Acephali; but he died suddenly A. D. 536, April 22, and they were read in a Council held on 2nd May, by Mennas. (Mansi, ibid. p. 874.) There are two letters from St. Agapetus to Justinian in reply to a letter from the emperor, in the latter of which he refuses to acknowledge the Orders of the Arians; and there are two others: 1. To the Bishops of Africa, on the same subject; 2. To Reparatus, Bishop of Carthage, in answer to a letter of congratulation on his elevation to the Pontificate. (Mansi, Concilia, viii. pp. 846-850.)

3. Deacon of the Church of St. Sophia, A. D. 527. Confusion with other people named Agapetus

There are two other Agapeti mentioned in a Council held by Mennas at this time at Constantinople, who were Archimandrites, or Abbots. Works Admonitions on the Duty of a Prince

Agapetus was tutor to Justinian, and, on the accession of the latter to the empire, addressed to him Admonitions on the Duty of a Prince, in 72 Sections, the initial letters of which form the dedication (ἔκθεσις κεφαλαίων παραινετικῶν σχεδιασθεῖσα). The repute in which this work was held appears from its common title, viz. the Royal Sections (σχέδη βασιλικά). Editions

It was published, with a Latin version, by Zach. Callierg. 8vo., Ven. 1509, afterwards by J. Brunon, 8vo., Lips. 1669, Gröbel, 8vo., Lips. 1733, and in Gallandi's Bibliothecaca vol. xi. p. 255, &c., Ven. 1766, after the edition of Bandurius (Benedictine). Translations

It was translated into French by Louis XIII., 8vo. Par. 1612, and by Th. Payneil into English, 12mo., Lond. 1550. [A.J.C]

(Ἀγαπητός), an ancient Greek physician, whose remedy for the gout is mentioned with approbation by Alexander Trallianus (xi. p. 303) and Paulus Aegineta. (3.78, p. 497, 7.11, p. 661.) He probably lived between the third and sixth centuries after Christ, or certainly not later, as Alexander Trallianus, by whom he is quoted, is supposed to have flourished about the beginning of the sixth century. [W.A.G]