Ablabius (consul 331)

Flavius Ablabius also known as Ablabius or Ablavius (flourished 4th century, died 338) was a high official of the Roman Empire.

Ablabius was a Greek from the island of Crete and a man of humble birth. When his mother was pregnant with him, she allegedly received a prophecy from an Egyptian astrologer about him, that she would almost have borne an Emperor.

His date of birth is unknown, the identities of his parents are unknown, and it is unknown whether he had any known siblings or relatives and little is known on his early life. Ablabius was of a non-aristocratic and non-senatorial background,

He was at birth a pagan who converted later to Christianity. Ablabius became one of the officials of the Roman Governor of Crete. At some point, Ablabius left Crete and travelled to Constantinople to make his fortune.

After arriving at Constantinople, Ablabius by chance acquired great influence over the Roman emperor Constantine I and became one of the most important Roman Senators of Constantinople.

Ablabius served as vicarius of the Diocese of Asia; held the praetorian prefecture of the East from 329 to 337/338 and served as ordinary consul in 331. Ablabius was active in the Roman East and West and during his political career, he was based at Antioch.

Considering his provincial background, Ablabius seemed to be attached to Constantine I, making him one of a small number of Easterners who held high offices throughout the Roman Empire.

Ablabius once succeeded to convince Constantine I that the lack arrival of the grain supplies for Constantinople had been caused by the magical arts of the pagan sage, Sopater of Apamea, who had verbally attacked the Emperor and Ablabius for their dissolute behaviour. Constantine I followed the advice of Ablabius and had Sopater put to death. In 333 Constantine I, addressed a letter to Ablabius which is still preserved, in which Constantine I decreed that each party in a trial could appeal to a bishop’s judgement.

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