Acacius (Alexandria)

Acacius () was a Byzantine military officer, active in Alexandria during the reign of Justinian I (r. 527–565).
Life.
Acacius was a native of Amida, and Zacharias Rhetor calls him "Bar Eshkhofo", which seems to mean "son of a cobbler. Zacharias further reports that after the deposition of Patriarch Paul of Alexandria and his replacement by Zoilus (in 539/540), Acacius was the military officer tasked to protect Zoilus from the hostile population of Alexandria. Acacius was probably a professional soldier, but seems to have held a lower position, perhaps a "comes rei militaris" or a "tribunus" (cavalry regimental commander).