EARLY HISTORY.
Zanobius—an historical as well as legendary character—was
chosen Bishop of Florence, and consecrated in the old church
of San Lórenzo by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan and one of
the Fathers of the Church. Various miracles have been attri-
buted to Zanobius, but his memory is especially held sacred
for the aid he is said to have rendered, in the preservation of
Florence from a horde of barbarians. In the year of our Lord
406, Italy was invaded by a leader called Radagasius, at the
head of a host of Suavians, Burgundians, Vandals, and Goths,
who, after destroying many cities, entrenched themselves amidst
the heights of Fiesole and threatened Florence. In this
extremity the prayers of the good Bishop Zanobius were heard,
and, to the relief of the inhabitants, the sudden arrival of the
Roman general Stilicho compelled the enemy to issue pre-
maturely from their fastnesses, when they were repulsed with
great slaughter, and the remnant were sold for slaves. The
battle is said to have been fought on October 8, the day of Sta.
Reparata, who at the tender age of twelve had undergone
martyrdom in Cappadocia, during the persecution of Decius,
from which Florence had also so severely suffered. The youth-
ful saint is supposed to have appeared in the midst of the
battle, with a blood-red banner bearing the device of the lily in
her hand. In commemoration of this victory, the church was
built and dedicated to Sta. Reparata. Zanobius, who was
afterwards canonised, died on May 25, A.D. 417, on which day
annually the house he is supposed to have inhabited in Via Por
San Maria, near the Ponte Vecchio, is decorated with flowers.
The Florentines, in spite of Dante, do not forget their bene¬
factors any more than he could forget the bello Ovile, beautiful
Sheepfold,’ as he called his beloved Florence.
Between A.D. 543 and 549, Totila, King of the Ostrogoths,
besieged and took Florence, which was defended by Justin the
Lieutenant of the Emperor Justinian. For a short period the
city fell under the rule of the Goths, but in A.D. 552 Narses
destroyed Totila and his army, and relieved Florence.
