Bar. ad ann. 584. n. 21. Footnote 1207: Bolland. propyl. p. 59. Footnote 1208: Id. ib. & Du Pin. Biblioth. p. 459. Footnote 1209: Holsten coll. Rom. t. 1. p. 37, & 180. Footnote 1210: Hier. ep. 124, & 144. Footnote 1211: Id. ep. 11. Ruff. de Orig. p. 197. Footnote 1212: Hier. ep. 144. Footnote 1213: Id. ep. 146. Footnote 1214: Id. ep. 144. Footnote 1215: Anast. c. 38. Footnote 1216: Aug. confess. l. 9. c. 7. Footnote 1217: Hier. in præf. version. Did. de Spir. Sanct. Footnote 1218: Id. ib. Footnote 1219: Theod. l. 5. c. 2. & l. 4. c. 27. Footnote 1220: Id. ep. 144. Footnote 1221: Id. ep. 145. Footnote 1222: Concil. t. 3. p. 740. Footnote 1223: Concil. t. 4. p. 82. VALENTINIAN, SYRICIUS, ARCADIUS, THEODOSIUS, _Thirty-seventh_ BISHOP _of_ HONORIUS. Rome. [Sidenote: Year of Christ 384. ] _Syricius_, the Successor of _Damasus_, according to the Pontificals, and some antient Monuments quoted and received by _Baronius_[1224], was a Native of _Rome_, the Son of one _Tiburtius_, had been first Reader, and afterwards Deacon, under _Liberius_, and, upon his Death, had zealously espoused the Cause of _Damasus_ against _Ursinus_ and his Party. _Damasus_ being dead, he was chosen in his room by the unanimous Acclamations of the whole _Roman_ People, being at that time Presbyter of the Church known by the Title of _the Pastor_, perhaps the most antient Church in _Rome_[1225]. _Ursinus_, who was still alive, did not fail, upon the Vacancy of the See, to revive his former Claim; but he was rejected with Scorn and Indignation. _Valentinian_ the younger, who then reigned in _Italy_ under the Direction of his Mother _Justina_, received the News of this Election with great Joy; and, concluding from the Unanimity of the Electors, the Worth and Merit of the Person elected, confirmed _Syricius_ in his new Dignity, by a Rescript dated the 23d of _February_, and directed to _Piaianus_, at that Time either Prefect or Vicar of _Rome_[1226][N20]. ----- Footnote N20: _Damasus_ died on the 10th or 11th of _December_ 384. as I have related above; and _Syricius_ was chosen the same Year, as we read in the Chronicle of _Prosper_. _Anastasius_ therefore, and the Author of the Pontifical published by _Bollandus_, as well as _Baronius_, were certainly mistaken in affirming, upon what Grounds I know not, that, upon the Death of _Damasus_, the See remained vacant for the Space of 31 or 36 Days[N20.1]. Footnote N20.1: Anast. p. 21. Boll. Apr. t. 1. p. 32. Bar. ib. n. 5. ----- [Sidenote: _His Answer to_ Himerius _Bishop of_ Tarragon.]