Introduction
Maternus Cynegius (died on March 14, 388, in Berytos) was a praetorian prefect of the East and consul at the end of the 4th century, best known for destroying some of the most sacred sites of Hellenic religion.
Life
Cynegius is thought to originate from Spain and was a Christian. Between 381 and 383 he was appointed comes sacrarum largitionum, the imperial treasurer, by Emperor Theodosius I. Later he was appointed quaestor sacri palatii and, in 384, Praetorian prefect of the East. He issued laws that forbade Pagan sacrifices and closed and destroyed non-Christian temples in Egypt and Syria (386). As a deviation from Theodosius' policy, he issued anti-Jewish laws.
On his second visitation - to the East (including Egypt) - he was accompanied by Bishop Marcellus of Apamea. With Marcellus' encouragement, he destroyed, among other things,
- One of the temples in Edessa or one lunar temple in Carrhae;
- the temple of Zeus Belos in Apamea, which had included a famed oracle, which Septimius Severus, among others, had consulted;
- the Temple of Allat in Palmyra.
In 388 he was appointed Roman consul, though he died that same year.
Maternus has been identified with the high official who received the Missorium of Theodosius I and was probably depicted on it. A country house found by archaeologists near Carranque, in Spain, has been attributed to Maternus.