ROMANOS  , called 6 pehcisbs,

Greek hymn-writer, "the Pindar of rhythmic poetry," was born at Emesa (Hems) in Syria . From the scanty notices of his life we learn that he resided in Constantinople during the reign of the emperor Anastasius.9 Having officiated as a deacon in the church of the Resurrection at Berytus, he removed to Constantinople, where he was attached to the churches of Blachernae and Cyrus . According to the legend, when he was asleep in the last-named church, the Virgin appeared to him and commanded him to eat a scroll . On awaking (it was Christmas Day), he immediately mounted the pulpit, and gave forth his famous hymn on the Nativity . Romanos is said to have composed more than soon similar hymns or contakia (Gr. tcovr&Ktov, " scroll ") celebrating the festivals of the ecclesiastical year, the lives of the saints and other sacred subjects—on the death of a monk (extremely impressive); the last judgment; the treachery of Judas; the martyrdom of St Stephen; Simeon B Digesta Justinian Augusti, recognovit Th . Mommsen (Berlin, 1870) . i Or liber authenticorum . So called because it contained a more complete collection and correcter translation of the Greek Novels than the Epitomeof Julian . It was the one used in the law courts in the middle ages . 9 See Sohm, Institutfonen, § 27, and authorities there cited . 9 On the question whether Anastasius I . (491–518) or II .

(713–716) is meant, see Krgmbacher, who is in favour of the earlier date .

Editions: J . B . Pitra, Analecta Sacra, i . (1876), containing 29 poems, and Sanctus Roman us Veterum Melodorum Princeps (1888), with three additional hymns from the monastery of St John in Patmos . See also Pitra's Hymnographie de l'Aglise grecque (1867) ; C . Krumbacher, Geschichte der byzantinischen Litteracur (1897); and HYMNS .