Johannes Platys

Johannes Platys (also Platynus ) was an Eastern Roman Patricius and Exarch of Ravenna .

John was apparently appointed as the successor of Theodorus in 686 as Exarch of Ravenna. Even before Pope Konon's death in the same year, Archdeacon Paschalis asked him for support in the expected papal election, for which Paschalis offered the exarch certain donations, obviously bribes. Indeed, John directed his representatives in Rome to see to it that the paschal was elected. Nevertheless, this could not prevail. In 687 he again asked the exarch for help and offered him 100 gold pounds for his support, which John also accepted. When Johannes came secretly and unexpectedly to Rome, he discovered that Sergius had already asserted himself as Pope, who met with broad approval in Rome.

Johannes also recognized Sergius as the new Pope, but successfully demanded the 100 gold pounds promised to him by Paschalis. In order to raise the sum, Sergius had to have some candlesticks and crowns that had been hung in front of the altar in St. Peter's Basilica removed until the sum was reached. Only then was the election formally confirmed by Johannes.

The term of office of John as Exarch cannot be determined more precisely. While 686 is fixed as the commencement date, the next Exarch Theophylactus is recorded for the period between 701 and 705. Since there were two changes of emperors during this time, the exarchate may also have been refilled in the course of this change of government, without knowing by whom.

literature

• Friedhelm Winkelmann u. a .: Prosopography of the Middle Byzantine period . 1. Department, Volume 2, De Gruyter Verlag, Berlin-New York 2000, p. 208, No. 2737.

predecessor	Office	successor
Theodorus	Exarchs of Ravenna-Italy	Theophylactus