SYMACUS. Symmachus, fl. sixth century A.D., was Boethius's father-in-law. In a letter to Coelianus and Agapitus, Cassiodorus informs them that Theodoric orders Festus and Symmachus to prosecute Paulus and encourages the speedy rendering of justice (Epistola I.xxiii). In a letter to Symmachus, Cassiodorus conveys Theodoric's commendation for his spending of his own money to decorate Rome with new buildings (Epistola IV.li). Symmachus subsequently fell into disfavor with the king, and he was executed some time after Boethius's death in 525.

Lady Philosophy says that Symachus is a man "maked al of sapience and of vertu," Bo II, Prosa 4.25-29. [Boece]

The form is a spelling variant.