Musonia'nus
a native of Antioch, an officer under the emperor Constantine the Great and his successors. His first name was Strategus.
He was an eloquent speaker both in Greek and Latin, and first acquired the favour of Constantine by acquiring for him an acquaintance with the doctrines of the Manichaeans and other sectaries. Pleased with his diligence, the emperor gave him the name of Musonianus, and promoted his advancement in office. (
Amm. Marc. 15.13.)
He is well spoken of in other respects, but is charged with avarice and the love of being flattered.
He supported the Arian party, and under the Arian emperor, Constantius, attained the rank of praefectus praetorio Orientis, which he held from A. D. 354 to 358.
He was employed to punish a sedition at Antioch, in A. D. 354.
According to Libanius, he obeyed the emperor's orders, to act with moderation; but Ammianus (
l.c.) charges him with cruelty to some poor people who were innocent, and letting the guilty rich escape, on their paying him heavy sums for his own advantage. In 355, he was too much employed in pillaging the country to defend it against the Persians, with whom he sought in vain to conclude a peace. Nothing more is known of him. (Liban.
Epist. passim ; Amm. Marc.
ll. cc. and 16.9, 17.5; Tillemont,
Hist. des Empereurs, vol. iv.)
[
J.C.M]
