Theoctistus of Naples

Theoctistus(Italian:Teoctisto) was theDuke of Naplesduring an ill-recorded period in its history. His reign began sometime around 818 and lasted until 821.

On the death ofAnthimus,a war of succession broke out in Naples on account of the number of pretenders to the ducal throne. Anthimus had not given his consent to the nobility to elect his successor and so Naples was left without ade jureduke on his death. The populace, seeing the uncertainty of the aristocracy, in acoup d'état,invaded thePraetoriumwith the support of the upper strata of the military hierarchy, and constrained their rulers to send a delegation toSicilyto solicit a new duke from thepatricianthere, who had authority over theDucatus Neapolitanus.

With the appointment of Theoctistus to the vacant post, Naples was once again brought underByzantineinfluence. Theoctistus was a military man at heart and he opened up a period of wars for the duchy. Nevertheless, he was replaced by another duke from Sicily,Theodore II,who arrived in Naples in 821.

Sources

• Schipa, Michelangelo.Storia del Ducato Napolitano.Napoli, 1895.
• Cassandro, Giovanni.Il Ducato bizantino in Storia di Napoli Vol I.Napoli, 1975.