Gennadius Avienus
Encyclopedia
Gennadius Avienus was an influential politician of the Western Roman Empire.
. Avienus was the father of Anicius Probus Faustus, Consul in 490, and of a daughter called Stephania, whose son, Rufius Magnus Faustus Avienus
, received the name of his grandfather and was Consul in 502.
Avienus was chosen as Consul for the year 450, together with Emperor Valentinian III
. Two years later, in 452, he was sent by Valentinian and the Roman Senate as envoy to the King of the Huns, Attila, together with Trigetius and the Bishop of Rome, Leo I
; they succeeded in negotiating a truce with Attila, despite the fact that the historian Prosper of Aquitaine
downplayed Avienus' role, giving all the credit for the success to Leo, ignoring both Trigetius and Avienus.
Avienus also held several other offices, of which at least one was civilian, but no particulars have been preserved on this matter.
In 467, the Gallic-Roman poet Sidonius Apollinaris
was sent to Rome to bring the Emperor a petition of his people; he says that Avienus was one of the two most influential civil officers in Rome in the 460s, together with Caecina Decius Basilius
. However, Avienus distinguished himself from Basilius, as he used his own influence to promote the career of his own familiars, having no time to care for those who came outside of his circle: even if he was more welcoming than Basilius, Avienus was less trustworthy.
Biography
Avienus was member of an ancient and noble Roman family, which traced back its origins to the Consul of year 59, Marcus Valerius Messalla CorvinusMarcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus was a Roman general, author and patron of literature and art.-Family:He was the son of politician Marcus Valerius Messalla Niger Although, some dispute his parentage and claim another descendant of Marcus Valerius Corvus to be his father.Messalla Corvinus is...
. Avienus was the father of Anicius Probus Faustus, Consul in 490, and of a daughter called Stephania, whose son, Rufius Magnus Faustus Avienus
Avienus
Avienus was a Latin writer of the 4th century AD. According to an inscription from Bulla Regia, his full name was Postumius Rufius Festus Avienius.He was a native of Volsinii in Etruria, from the distinguished family of the Rufii Festi...
, received the name of his grandfather and was Consul in 502.
Avienus was chosen as Consul for the year 450, together with Emperor Valentinian III
Valentinian III
-Family:Valentinian was born in the western capital of Ravenna, the only son of Galla Placidia and Flavius Constantius. The former was the younger half-sister of the western emperor Honorius, and the latter was at the time Patrician and the power behind the throne....
. Two years later, in 452, he was sent by Valentinian and the Roman Senate as envoy to the King of the Huns, Attila, together with Trigetius and the Bishop of Rome, Leo I
Pope Leo I
Pope Leo I was pope from September 29, 440 to his death.He was an Italian aristocrat, and is the first pope of the Catholic Church to have been called "the Great". He is perhaps best known for having met Attila the Hun in 452, persuading him to turn back from his invasion of Italy...
; they succeeded in negotiating a truce with Attila, despite the fact that the historian Prosper of Aquitaine
Prosper of Aquitaine
Saint Prosper of Aquitaine , a Christian writer and disciple of Saint Augustine of Hippo, was the first continuator of Jerome's Universal Chronicle.- Life :...
downplayed Avienus' role, giving all the credit for the success to Leo, ignoring both Trigetius and Avienus.
Avienus also held several other offices, of which at least one was civilian, but no particulars have been preserved on this matter.
In 467, the Gallic-Roman poet Sidonius Apollinaris
Sidonius Apollinaris
Gaius Sollius Apollinaris Sidonius or Saint Sidonius Apollinaris was a poet, diplomat, and bishop. Sidonius is "the single most important surviving author from fifth-century Gaul" according to Eric Goldberg...
was sent to Rome to bring the Emperor a petition of his people; he says that Avienus was one of the two most influential civil officers in Rome in the 460s, together with Caecina Decius Basilius
Caecina Decius Basilius
Flavius Caecina Decius Basilius was a politician of the Western Roman Empire, Consul and twice Praetorian prefect of Italy.- Biography :Basilius belonged to the Italian nobility, and was member of the influential gens Caecina....
. However, Avienus distinguished himself from Basilius, as he used his own influence to promote the career of his own familiars, having no time to care for those who came outside of his circle: even if he was more welcoming than Basilius, Avienus was less trustworthy.