An unnoticed regimental diaconus in the correspondence of theodoret of cyrrhus

Abstract

This short article examines the textual transmission of a letter written by Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus, in 432/3, in which he remarks that a member of the equites tertii stablesiani had previously delivered his correspondence to an episcopal colleague. Successive modern editors, puzzled by the term diaconum in the unique manuscript, proposed the emendations decanum or decurionem. The latter conjecture is found, unacknowledged, in the most recent edition of Theodoret's letters. Textual, historical and linguistic criteria corroborate the received reading and reveal that, as a result of these Editorial material interventions, an early reference to a deacon serving as a regimental chaplain has been overlooked. Correctly identified and contextualised, Theodoret's courier can take his place in future discussions of clergy within the late Roman army.