Maternus Cynegius

Maternus Cynegius († 388 Berytos ) was a praetorian prefect and consul of the late 4th century.

Cynegius came perhaps from Spain and was a Christian. In the year 383/384 he comes sacrarum largitionum ( Minister of Finance or Treasurer) under Emperor Theodosius I. Theodosius appointed Cynegius in the year 384 to the praetorian prefect of the East with the order to destroy the non-Christian temples in Egypt, Greece and Asia Minor. During his first trip to Egypt, he started off the temples and forbade sacrifices. He also issued many laws that show anti-Jewish tendencies contrary to the policy of Theodosius.

During his second voyage to the East (including Egypt ) accompanied by the Bishop Marcellus of Apamea, closed and destroyed Cynegius Hellenic temples, shrines and altars, including the temple of Edessa, the Cabeireion of Imbros, the Temple of Zeus in Apamea, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and all the temples of Palmyra.

In the year 388, he held together with Emperor Theodosius I the consulate.