Originally a deacon of the Church of Alexandria, Dioscorus was forced to flee as an opponent of Miaphysitism, arriving in Rome around 506 during the Laurentian schism.
Jeffrey Richards credits him with persuading king Theodoric the Great to recognize Symmachus as the rightful pope.
However, the Senate was outraged that it had been preempted from the process, and issued an edict forbidding anyone from accepting the nomination or discussing it during Pope Felix's life, on pain of exile and confiscation of property.
[7] The pro-Byzantine faction was left leaderless; Felix's wishes were acceded to with his chosen candidate becoming Boniface II.
[7] According to the Liber Pontificalis, Boniface forced the clergy who had nominated Dioscorus to sign a retraction and condemn his memory.