A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Τριβοῦνος), a very eminent physician, a native of Palestine, and a man of great piety and benevolence. He went to Persia, where he attended on the king, Cosra (or Chosroes) I., and returned home laden with magnificent presents, probably A. D. 531. When this king was concluding a treaty of peace with the emperor Justinian in the following year, he made it a special request that Tribunus should be allowed to stay with him for twelve months. This was agreed to, and when at the end of that time Tribunus was about to take leave of the Persian court, the king told him to ask for any favour that he pleased. The noble-minded physician only begged for the liberation of some Roman captives; and the king released not only those whom he particularly named, but three thousand others besides (Procop. De Bello Goth. 4.10; Suid. s. v. Τριβοῦνος). This anecdote will bring to the recollection of an English physician the very similar disinterestedness of Mr. Boughton at the court of the Great Mogul about the middle of the seventeenth century, which was the origin of the power of the East India Company in Bengal.

[W.A.G]