Deacon in Milan and then bishop of Ticinum (modern Pavia), Ennodius gained fame for his construction of churches, composition of hymns, passionate defense of Pope Symmachus (Symmachus [Bishop of Rome]), and service as a trusted emissary of Pope Hormisdas during the latter’s attempts to end the Acacian schism. For his work as bishop and his diplomatic activities on behalf of Rome, we must rely on later sources, but his early career produced a sprawling, chaotic archive of letters, declamations, speeches, sa…