Life

Nonius belonged to the senatorial aristocracy, and was a Christian, even if he was friend of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus

Quintus Aurelius Symmachus

Quintus Aurelius Symmachus was a Roman statesman, orator, and man of letters. He held the offices of governor of Africa in 373, urban prefect of Rome in 384 and 385, and consul in 391...

.

He was Praetorian prefect of Italy between 383 and 384 and then Consul in 397. In 383 Emperor Gratian

Gratian

Gratian was Roman Emperor from 375 to 383.The eldest son of Valentinian I, during his youth Gratian accompanied his father on several campaigns along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. Upon the death of Valentinian in 375, Gratian's brother Valentinian II was declared emperor by his father's soldiers...

 died, and his half-brother Valentinian II

Valentinian II

Flavius Valentinianus , commonly known as Valentinian II, was Roman Emperor from 375 to 392.-Early Life and Accession :...

 become the only Emperor. He then decided for a change among the high officers, who had served under Gratian, with new men, more loyal to him. Atticus then succeeded the praetorian prefect Sextus Claudius Petronius Probus

Sextus Claudius Petronius Probus

Sextus Claudius Petronius Probus was a leading Roman aristocrat of the later 4th century, renowned for his wealth, power and social connections.-Family:...

, but one year later he was succeeded by Vettius Agorius Praetextatus

Vettius Agorius Praetextatus

Vettius Agorius Praetextatus was a wealthy pagan aristocrat in 4th-century Roman Empire and a high priest in the cults of numerous gods...

, and his office was called an "interregnum".