Synesius, Catastasis (4)

The text presented here, the Catastasis, or Downfall of the Cyrenaica, is a long lament on the nomadic incursions that had destabilized the region since c.404 CE (the chronology is unclear). It is unclear for what purpose Synesius wrote this text, although the tone suggests that it was not meant to be published. Perhaps it summarizes information that could be used in a speech at the imperial court. What is certain, however, is that the Catastasis was composed after a military intervention by general Anysius (the addressee of seven letters in 411-412^note[Letters 37,