Anatolius

Historical Precedent:

• (Elishe) "Now the excellent Emperor Theodosius (the younger), being a great lover of peace in Christ, would not give battle to the enemy, but sent his general for the East, Anatolius by name, to meet him with much treasure."

• (Elishe) "By the counsels of two evil-minded men, his servants,—the patrician Anatolius and the Syrian Elpharios (both were worthless, evil, and ungodly men),—by the advice of such persons the monarch suffered himself to be guided,"

Personality: A man who's forgotten his youthful spirit and deplores his younger days.

Now, he focuses on prestige and position.

MUSHKAN: (playful) Is “subsidies” what you call “tribute” in the West?

ANATOLIUS flashes a short sword at MUSHKAN. SEBUXT draws

his own in retaliation.

ANATOLIUS: I maintain my gladius, and I still know the essence of combat, General.

MUSHKAN lowers SEBUXT’s sword as he addresses ANATOLIUS.

MUSHKAN: (smiling) Would that you challenged me in your prime. I hear you were a

finer commander then. It would have been a better fight.

MUSHKAN: (placating) Sebuxt, please. Anatolius, I will not speak for the king of kings; I merely fulfill my duty as his loyal servant. We fight the same enemy, and so I can only wish you good fortunes, from general to general. Does that suffice?

ANATOLIUS: I suppose it must. I take my leave.

ANATOLIUS: Shall I pen the letter, sire?

THEODOSIUS: I think I can-

ANATOLIUS: It would be my honor to write the letter for you, my emperor.

The interruption startles THEODOSIUS. He pauses, then nods in concurrence with ANATOLIUS as he returns to his scroll.