The Presbyters Project

X.26

Ragnimodus quoque Parisiacae urbis episcopus obiit. Cumque germanus eius Faramodus presbiter pro episcopato concurreret, Eusebius quidam negotiator genere Syrus, datis multis muneribus, in locum eius subrogatus est.

(ed. Krusch 1937: 519)

X.26

Bishop Ragnimodus of the city of Paris also died. His brother, presbyter Faramodus, put his name forward for the bishopric. Eusebius, who was a merchant, and a Syrian by race, was, however, elected in Ragnimodus' place, after giving many bribes.

(trans. Thorpe 1974: 586; altered by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

Judging by the place of this passus in Gregory's narrative, Ragnimodus died in 591.

Faramodus should almost certainly be identified with referendarius Faramodus, addressee of Venantius Fortunatus' carmen IX.12, composed ca 576. Hence, Faramodus must have been a referendary to King Chilperic (d. 584).

The episcopal catalogue of the bishops of Paris includes the name of Faramodus between Eusebius and Simplicius (who was elected bishop at an unknown date, but was certainly bishop by 601). See, Duchesne, Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule, vol. II, p. 468.

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Paris

About the source:

Author: Gregory of Tours
Title: The History of the Franks, Gregorii episcopi Turonensis historiarum libri X, Histories
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Gregory of Tours (Gaul) wrote his ten books of Histories (known commonly in English as the History of the Franks) during his episcopal reign in Tours between 573 and 594. The books vary in scope and length. The first book covers 5,596 years from the creation of the world to AD 397, that is the death of Saint Martin of Tours, Gregory`s predecessor in bishopric. The second book deals with the history of Gaul between 397 and 511, the latter being the year of death of King Clovis I. The third and fourth books cover the next 64 years till the death of Austrasian King Sigibert II in 575. Finally, the following six books describe exclusively the sixteen years from 575 to 591. Probably in 594, Gregory added the list of bishops of Tours in the end of the Histories, with brief accounts of their actions.

Edition:

B. Krusch ed., Gregorii Episcopi Turonensis Historiarum Libri X [in:] Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingiciarum 1.1, Hannover 1884 (repr. 1951): 1-537.

Translation:

Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, trans. L. Thorpe, London 1974.

Categories:

Social origin or status - Clerical family

PR880.

Further ecclesiastical career - Bishop

PR880.

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR880.

Public functions and offices before ordination

PR880.

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

PR880.

Relation with - Brother/Sister

PR880.

Episcopal ambitions

PR880.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1941, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1941