Ablabius (Greek: Αβλάβιος) was a Byzantine would-be assassin, known for a failed attempt to kill Emperor Justinian I (r. 527–565) in 562.
Another conspirator was Sergius, whose uncle Aetherius was curator of one of the imperial palaces, though better known for his part in a conspiracy against Emperor Justin II (r.
While Ablabius had access to the room, he was unable to approach the "sacred presence" of the Byzantine emperor without permission, and so he had to arrange matters with a palatine official.
[2] On 25 November 562, Ablabius attempted to enter the palace of Emperor Justinian armed with a dagger, and was immediately arrested.
[1] On hearing of Ablabius's arrest, Marcellus committed suicide rather than be captured, while Sergius sought sanctuary within the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae.
Shortly afterwards, the reconstruction of Hagia Sophia was completed, and Paul the Silentiary composed a long epic poem known as Ekphrasis, for the rededication of the basilica.
The Byzantine treasury was reportedly crushed by debts and was still empty when Emperor Justin II (r. 565–578) rose to the throne.
[2] On the other hand, Peter N. Bell connects the murder plot with the lack of popular support for Emperor Justinian in the final years of his reign.
He points out that Agathias, Menander Protector, and Flavius Cresconius Corippus all paint "unflattering" and "gloomy" portrayals of the state of the Byzantine Empire during this period.
Corripus even claims: "the old man [Justinian] no longer cared; he was altogether cold ... many things were too much neglected while [he] was alive".