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Armentarius (died 584) was a Jewish moneylender, active in Francia under the Merovingian dynasty. He was murdered in Tours, causing a controversy over who was responsible. The main source about him is Gregory of Tours.〔Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), p. 122〕〔Elukin (2007), p. 21-23〕 He should probably not be confused with the similarly named Armentarius, the archiatrus (chief physician) of Tours, who is mentioned treating Gregory in 573.〔 == Murder == Armentarius was a Jew. His role as a moneylender can be deduced by his activities. He is recorded lending money to Eunomius and Iniuriosus. He would be paid by a portion of the public taxes ("propter tributa publica", loaned against the public taxes).〔〔Martindale, Jones & Morris (1992), p. 621〕 Eunomius was the Count of Tours (comes),〔〔Heinzelmann (2001), p. 47. "On the feast of St. Martin in November 579, Count Leudast of Tours was deprived of his office by Gregory and a certain Eunomius was appointed in his place"〕 Iniuriosus was his vicarius (deputy).〔 Armentarius arrived in Tours to collect payment. He was accompanied "by a man of his own religion and two Christians". The first was obviously a fellow Jew. It is unclear if the other two were business partners of Armentarius or merely his bodyguards. The two leaders of Tours invited Armentarius into their dwelling, promising payment and gifts.〔Elukin (2007), p. 21-23〕 Armentarius and Iniuriosus shared dinner,〔 then the visitor left.〔Elukin (2007), p. 21-23〕 What followed is uncertain. Armentarius was found murdered, his money and papers stolen.〔 Servants of Iniuriosus were accused of the murder, implicating their master. Gregory suggests the tribune Medardus (Latin: Medardum tribunum) as an alternative suspect, since the latter was also a client of the victim.〔〔〔(Latin Library: Gregorii Turonensis Hisroriarum Liber Septimus (Gregory of Tours, History, Book 7), Chapter XXIII (23) )〕 Iniuriosus denied any involvement in the murder. He swore a legal oath to that effect. The family of Armentarius demanded that Childebert II (r. 575-595) should decide on the case. Iniuriosus visited the royal court, presumably at Metz, for his hearing. He waited three days for his accusers to appear. Since Armentarius' relatives never appeared at court, the case was dismissed. Iniuriosus returned home with no further incident.〔Elukin (2007), p. 21-23〕〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Armentarius (moneylender)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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