Sabbatius

435 – ? · Generation VIII

Sabbatius was the father of the emperor Justinian I. Almost nothing is known of him beyond his name and his family. He married Vigilantia, a sister of Justin I, the soldier from a peasant family who rose to command the palace guard and became emperor in 518. Their son was born about 482 and their daughter, another Vigilantia, around 490.

The family were Latin speakers from the Balkan province of Dardania. Justin came from the hamlet of Bederiana near Naissus, and Justinian was reportedly born at Tauresium, near Scupi, where Sabbatius and his wife appear to have settled. The boy was named Petrus Sabbatius, carrying his father’s name, and became Justinianus only after his uncle Justin adopted him and brought him to Constantinople to be educated.

Both of Sabbatius’s children founded imperial lines of a kind. His son ruled from 527 to 565 and left no children, and the throne passed to his daughter’s son, who reigned as Justin II.

Place in the family

• Sabbatius was the father of Justinian I.
• The archive records 3 of his descendants, across 2 generations.

Partners

• Married Vigilantia (455 – ?) — 2 children together

Children

• Justinian I (482 – 565)
• Vigilantia (490 – ?)

Sources

1. Justin I · Wikipedia
2. Justinian I · Wikipedia
3. Vigilantia · Wikipedia