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“Sidonius’ People"
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SIDONIUS’ P EOPLE
Ralph Mathisen
1 Introduction
N THE LATE fi fth century, in his ‘Sermon on the saintly martyr Vincent’, bishop Faustus of IRiez (c. 460-90 CE) gave his opinion on the value of being named in a saint’s life: ‘What present-day realm, what transmarine province, however far the Roman Empire or the Christian religion extends, does not rejoice to celebrate the birth of Vincentius? Who today, however, has ever heard even the name of [the praeses] Datianus, unless he has read the passion of Vincent?’1 As far as Faustus was concerned, Datianus’ appearance in a saint’s life would be his only chance for remembrance.2 The same can be said for nearly all of the people who appear in the works of Sidonius Apollinaris. Late antique Gaul was a busy place.3 A lot was happening: the rise of the Christian church as the most signifi cant social and cultural institution; the creation of barbarian kingdoms cou- pled with the fi nal precipitous decline and end of Roman authority; and a social world that was very much in fl ux, as previously unprivileged social groups gained greater opportunities and means of self-expression.4 The 24 poems, and in particular the 147 letters, of Sidonius offer an unparalleled window on the world of late antique Gaul, and provide readers with a wealth of material about the people who populated it.5 Sidonius was well positioned to gather this kind of information. He belonged to the most blue-blooded family of late Roman Gaul and moved in the most exalted circles of the senato- rial aristocracy.6 A native of Lyon, his father and grandfather had held the offi ce of praetorian prefect of Gaul, the highest imperial offi ce in Gaul. He himself was married to Papianilla, the daughter of Eparchius Avitus, a native of Clermont who, with the support of the Visigoths of Aquitania, became emperor in 455 only to fall victim to a conspiracy of two Italian gen- erals, Majorian and Ricimer, the next year.7 Sidonius’ most noteworthy early recollections are the installation of the consul Astyrius in Arles in 449 and his trip to Rome in 455 with
1 Sermo de sancto Vincentio martyre (CSEL 21.273-6): Quae hodie regio, quae provincia transmarina, quousque vel Romano- rum imperium vel Christianum nomen extenditur, natalem non gaudet celebrare Vincentii; quis autem hodie Datiani vel nomen audisset, nisi Vincentii passione legisset? 2 And it would have been a small matter to Faustus that in modern prosopographies the name of the praeses Datianus might be ‘spattered by asterisks and gasp marks’ to indicate doubt about his existence: Birley (1972) 185. See PLRE 1, 244 (‘*!P. Datianus!*’). 3 See, inter alios, Mathisen (1989, 1993). 4 See Mathisen (2003a). 5 On Sidonius’ social world, see also, in this volume, Mratschek,ch. 5. The number of 147 letters is conventional; on the question of whether there may in fact be 148 letters preserved, see ch. 3, n. 11. 6 For Sidonius, see PLRE 2, 115–18. 7 See Mathisen (1985, 1991c).
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Avitus. After holding the offi ces of tribunus et notarius under Avitus and being raised to the rank of comes under, it seems, Majorian, Sidonius’ political career peaked in 468 when, in the course of an embassy to Rome, he was made prefect of Rome by the emperor Anthemius and granted the pre-eminent rank of patrician. In 469, soon after his return to Gaul, Sidonius abruptly made an increasingly common change in profession: he became bishop of Clermont, the home town of his wife’s family. In doing so, he behaved like many Gallic aristocrats of this period, who, as the Roman Empire collapsed, sought to advance their careers and expand their local infl uence in the church.8 After leading the Arvernian resistance against Visigothic expansion in the early 470s Sidonius was disappointed when the emperor Julius Nepos ceded the city to the Goths in 475. After a brief period of exile at Liviana, the second stop on the road from Narbonne to Toulouse,9 Sidonius returned and continued, in rather reduced cir- cumstances, to serve as bishop until his death, perhaps in the mid-480s.10 In the course of his career Sidonius came into contact with people from all levels of society, ranging from emper- ors, consuls, and prefects, to cooks, slaves, and ne’er-do-wells. He enjoyed recounting these encounters in his poems and letters and thus provides us with a survey of the kinds of people who lived in late antique Gaul.11
2 Understanding Sidonius’ People: Prosopography The people who populated Sidonius’ world can be analysed and understood using several different methodologies. First, they can be discussed, and usually have been discussed, by cit- ing representative passages in a qualitative and impressionistic manner in order to construct a picture of aristocratic society.12 They also can be analysed in a quantitative manner by utilis- ing prosopography, a methodological approach that studies how people interact in groups by constructing datasets of persons who have shared characteristics – such as all the people who appear in the works of Sidonius. In the same way, prosopographical databases can be analysed using statistical methods.13 And fi nally, the relationships among the people in Sidonius’ world can be depicted visually by using social network analysis. These methodologies permit one to approach Sidonius’ social world from several different directions. One might begin with a discussion of the most commonly used quantitative method, prosopography, which relates to the study of groups of people and how they interact with and relate to each other.14 As defi ned by Lawrence Stone,
Prosopography is the investigation of the common background characteristics of a group of actors in history by means of a collective study of their lives. The method employed is to establish a universe to be studied, and then to ask a set of uniform questions – about birth and death, marriage and family, social origins and inherited economic position, place of residence, education, amount and source of personal wealth, occupation, religion, experi- ence of offi ce and so on. The various types of information about the individuals in the
8 See Mathisen (1993). 9 Sidon. Ep. 8.3.1 moenium Livianorum; see Mathisen (2000) map 25. 10 See below, sect. 10.7. 11 For Sidonius’ biography ‘in photo negative’, see in this volume van Waarden, ch. 1. 12 E.g. Stevens (1933), Harries (1994). 13 E.g. Jarausch and Hardy (1991), Barnes (1995). 14 E.g. Carney (1973), Graham (1974), Maurin (1982), Barnish (1994), Eck (2002, 2010), Smythe (2008).
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universe are then juxtaposed and combined, and are examined for signifi cant variables. They are tested both for internal correlations and for correlations with other forms of behaviour or action.15
Prosopography subsumes elements of onomastics, genealogy, demography, and, in particular, biography.16 It has similarities to ‘biography’, insofar as both are concerned with the personal histories and careers of individual people; but whereas biography focuses on single individuals, prosopography is more concerned with looking at career patterns among groups of people and at how people relate to each other collectively. In this sense, prosopography builds on biogra- phy, for to do prosopography effectively, one must make use of the building blocks provided by biography: a person’s family background, career trajectory, and, in particular, interactions with other individuals. Whereas a ‘biography’ as a discrete literary work will be about a single person, a ‘prosopography’ as a discrete literary work, such as the three volumes of the Proso- pography of the Later Roman Empire – affectionately known as PLRE – will include thumbnail biographical sketches of thousands of individuals.17 It is up to the user to arrange this informa- tion to construct the career patterns of particular persons and the connections among smaller or larger numbers of persons, ranging from small groups, or factions, or coteries, to the nature of society as a whole. Prosopographical information is exceptionally well suited to computer analysis.18 All the people who have lived during any period of history have associated with them, potentially at least, recurrent categories of information, such as name, sex, religion, marital status, social and economic class, date of birth and death, offi ces held, and so on.19 If such information is converted to computer format, it permits the creation of groups of individuals who meet any number of criteria. In the early days of computer technology, one was limited to 80-column cards and had to be very imaginative when it came to reducing data to computer format.20 Not until the 1980s and the introduction of PCs and programmable database software did it become possible to create serious multi-purpose computerised prosopographical databases.21 Databases with any number of data fi elds (categories) of any length dealing with any conceiv- able type of information could be created. This information was stored in the computer in tabular form and the database software could be programmed to analyse the data in any num- ber of ways, such as to investigate changes over time in the respective numbers of Romans and barbarians in the population.22
3 Database Description So how can this help in the study of Sidonius’ people? One result of this study has been the construction of a simple tabular database of 518 entries drawn from Sidonius’ poems and
15 Stone (1971); also Werner (1997). 16 ‘Prosopography has been defi ned as an independent science of social history embracing genealogy, onomastics, and demography’: Katharine Keats-Rohan, ‘Prosopography: Defi nition’,
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letters (368 drawn only from the Epistulae, 92 only from the Carmina, and 58 appearing in both) that quantifi es the information provided by Sidonius on the people who inhabited his world.23 These entries comprise 445 individual persons, 308 named and 137 anonymous, and 73 groups of unnamed individuals. Each entry includes information, where available, on name, gender, geographical region of origin or activity (for example, ‘Gaul’, ‘Italy’), local place of activity in Sidonius (for example, ‘Lyon’, ‘Auvergne’), date of activity in Sidonius, ethnicity (for example, ‘Roman’, ‘Visigoth’), religious affi liation (for example, ‘Nicene Christian’, ‘Homoian Christian’), social status (for example, ‘imperial’, ‘senatorial’, ‘plebeius’), Roman rank (for example, ‘patricius’; ‘v.i.’, ‘vir honestis- simus’), offi ce (for example, ‘consul’, ‘magister militum’), type of activity (for example, ‘rhetor’, ‘lit- terateur’, ‘letter carrier’), and reference in the works of Sidonius. Where relevant, bibliographical citations are included, and each entry also has a brief ‘Comments’ fi eld summarising the role of this individual in the works of Sidonius. Some of the quantifi ed information, such as that involving offi ces, is quite specifi c, but other data are rather fuzzy in nature, and are based on reasoned inferences. Thus, ethnicity is usually determined based on nomenclature and social context: persons with Roman-looking names and active in Roman environments are assigned Roman ethnicity, and, also taking geography and context into account, those with barbarian-appearing names are identifi ed as ‘Visigoths’, ‘Franks’, ‘Huns’, and so on. Likewise, persons considered to be ‘Romans’, without contradicting evidence, as of the mid-fourth century are considered to be ‘Nicene’, Visigoths are ‘Homoian’, Franks and Huns are ‘pagan’, and so on. Whereas these assumptions begin to fall apart in the sixth century, they are fairly reliable for the fi fth, that is to say, there are not a lot of excep- tions. The result is that the statistics for these two categories – ‘ethnicity’ and ‘religion’ – are very similar. The database can be sorted on any of the fi elds, allowing calculations to be made regarding how many entries or individuals meet any number of criteria. Thus one could sort on religion and name to return the 11 named Homoians (Chilperic to Vallia), followed by the 2 named Jews (Gozolas and Promotus), followed by the great mass of Nicene Romans, in turn followed by the 8 barbarian pagans (including Attila, Chloio, Hormidac, and Tuldila). Or if the database is sorted according to references in Sidonius’ works, a user could page through individuals in the order that they appear in the Carmina or Epistulae. One also could sort by modern references to follow individuals page by page through PLRE or PCBE.
4 Dating Parameters The persons in the database represent the social, familial, literary, and historical world of Sidonius writ large. The earliest precisely datable entries come from 326, when the emperor Constan- tine brought about the deaths of his son Crispus and his wife Fausta, provoking a satyrical epi- gram from the consul Ablabius.24 Other fourth-century persons include the writers Lactantius and Eusebius of Caesarea, not to mention such as Basil of Caesarea, Gregory Nazianzus, and Ambrose of Milan. A few fourth-century Gauls with direct connections to Sidonius’ family and social group are included, such as Fl. Jovinus, consul in 367, Fl. Afranius Syagrius, consul
23 Given that the poems generally served the same function as the letters, that is, were almost always addressed to an individual or individuals and meant to be circulated, they are treated in the database in the same manner as the letters with respect to data entry. 24 Sidon. Ep. 5.8.2.
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in 382, and unnamed ancestors of Eparchius Avitus and Sidonius himself. Not to mention the martyrs Ferreolus and Julianus, bishop Justus of Lyon, and writers who formed an important part of Sidonius’ literary pantheon, such as Hilary of Poitiers, Censorius Atticus Agricius, Attius Tiro Delphidius, and Latinius Pacatus Drepanius. These few fourth-century personages were certainly a part of Sidonius’ larger social and literary world. Indeed, the early fourth century seems to have marked a demarcation in Sidonius’ histori- cal memory, the beginning of his world of historical reality. Hardly anyone from the third century is even mentioned, only Philostratus (d. c. 250)25 and Serenus Sammonicus, executed in 212.26 From around the same time comes Julius Titianus, who wrote in the names of illustrious women.27 Even from the late second century, one encounters only Apuleius and Fronto, a purported ancestor of Sidonius’ friend Leo.28 Most of Sidonius’ literary exemplars – such as his epistolographic model Pliny, and Tacitus, the forebear of his friend Polemius – date from an earlier period, the early second century and before.29 Indeed, in a lengthy catalogue of authors, Sidonius skips from the early second century to the poets of the late fourth century and his own time.30 Thus, pre-fourth-century individuals are not included in the database, nor are the many legendary and mythological persons who inhabit Sidonius’ pages.
5 Aristocratic Rank and Status: Saeculares and Religiosi It should be no surprise, of course, that Sidonius’ primary topics of discussion in both his poems and letters involved the activities and concerns of persons in his own social circle, that is, the aristocratic and educated elite of late Roman Gaul. But nuancing where everyone fi ts is not easy. Navigating the distinctions among aristocratic status, rank, and offi ce is tricky, as the different categories often appear to overlap. But if they were clear to Sidonius, we ought to be able to clarify them for ourselves, as much as possible by using Sidonius’ own terminology. For Sidonius, the degree of intimacy in personal relationships was determined by three factors: longevity (tempus), social class (ordo), and social status (status).31 More specifi cally, Sidonius saw social class and status in terms of ordines (‘orders’, ‘classes’), that is, the ordo senatorius, ordo curialis, and so on, each of which, in Sidonius’ model,32 tended to keep to itself.33 Thus,
25 Sidon. Ep. 8.1.1. 26 Sidon. Carm. 14 praef. 3 Sereno non Septimio sed Sammonico, ‘Serenus, not Septimius but Sammonius’; HA Caracalla 4.5 inter quos etiam Sammonicus Serenus, cuius libri plurimi ad doctrinam extant, ‘among them also Sammonicus Serenus of whom several works on theory exist’. Aulus Septimius Serenus, author of Opuscula ruralia, was cited by the third- century grammarian Terentianus Maurus, De litteris syllabis pedibus et metris 1893: dulcia Septimius qui scripsit opuscula nuper, ‘Septimius who recently wrote cute little works’. 27 Sidon. Ep. 1.1.2 nec . . . sub nominibus illustrium feminarum digna similitudine expressit, ‘nor did [Cicero] express himself with a worthy similitude in the names of illustrious women’. 28 Sidon. Ep. 1.1.2, 2.10.5, 4.3.1, 8.3.3, 8.10.3. 29 Sidon. Ep. 1.1.1, 2.10.5, 4.3.1, 4.14.1, 4.22.2. 30 Sidon. Carm. 9.259–317. 31 Note Sidon. Ep. 7.12.1, to the ex-praetorian prefect Tonantius Ferreolus: Si amicitiae nostrae potius affi nitatisque quam personae tuae tempus ordinem statum cogitaremus, ‘If I were to consider the longevity, class, and status of our friendship and kinship rather than of your high rank’. 32 E.g., Sidon. Ep. 4.9.5 pace ordinis mei, ‘with all respect to my order’ (the senatorial order); also Ep. 7.1.5 nostri ordinis viris, ‘men of our order’, or Ep. 3.9.1 loci mei aut ordinis hominem, ‘a man of my position and social order’, not, as Anderson (1965) 2.35, ‘a man of my rank and cloth’, for Sidonius was not yet a bishop. 33 Sidon. Ep. 5.17.4 cum passim varia ordinum corpora dispergerentur, placuit . . . civium primis una coire, ‘when groups of various classes were dispersing in different directions, the leading citizens resolved to go in a body’.
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Constantius of Lyon’s arrival in Clermont was met ‘by every order, sex, and age’, and Ecdicius’ was greeted by ‘every age, order, and sex’.34 Likewise, the different social orders of Rome marvelled at Petrus’ eloquence: ‘the diademed power, the offi cial, the soldier, the equestrian order, and the people of Romulus’.35 The full membership of the senate of Rome was the amplissimus ordo, whereas a meeting of the curia of Lyon was a frequens ordo.36 Things get complicated when it comes to assigning social rank to the persons in Sidonius’ world. In the past, it has generally been supposed that most of the persons Sidonius corresponded with or interacted with socially belonged to an extended senatorial aristocracy whose members possessed senatorial status that was acquired by several different methods. For example, the senato- rial ranks associated with secular offi ce-holding were well extablished. Thus, consuls and prae- torian prefects had the rank of vir inlustris, proconsuls, dukes (duces), and counts (comites) were spectabiles, and holders of lesser offi ces, such as provincial governors and retired civil servants, were clarissimi.37 Sidonius regularly cited these ranks when introducing senatorial confrères.38 Senators prided themselves on their offi ce-holding ancestors, based on whom they could lay claim to offi ces of their own. Sidonius spoke of his own dignitas haereditaria, and recalled the dis- tinguished ancestors of his friend Syagrius: ‘You may recall a name drawn from consular togas, and ivory curule chairs, and golden litters, and the dark purple fasti.’39 And regarding Eparchius Avitus, Sidonius exclaimed: ‘An encircling ancestry emblazons his family tree, the palmate robe coursed through his ancesters, and the pinnacle of the patriciate dazzles.’40 Although most senators never held offi cial offi ce and thus never rose above the lowest sena- torial rank of vir clarissimus, they still benefi ted from the inherited glory of their family. Thus, Syagrius was described as patriciae stirpis,41 and Ommatius was patriciae . . . nepos gentis.42 Sidonius also described senators, especially those who did not hold offi ce themselves, as being ‘a noble at home’.43 Thus, members of the immediate families of known senators also would have had senatorial status.
34 Sidon. Ep. 3.2.2 ab omni ordine sexu aetate; 3.3.3 omnis aetas ordo sexus. 35 Sidon. Carm. 37 (Ep. 9.13.5) 105–6 diadematis potestas, toga, miles, ordo equester populusque Romularis; cf. Carm. 41 (Ep. 9.16.3) 23–4. 36 Sidon. Ep. 1.9.2, 7.14.1. Anderson (1936) 1.385 translates amplissimo ordine as ‘most elevated rank’, but it actually refers to the full membership of the senate in Rome; see Syme (1982): ‘A senator’s son duly enters the “amplissimus ordo”’. 37 See Mathisen (2001b). 38 E.g. Sidon. Ep. 8.6.2 Flavius Nicetius, vir ortu clarissimus, privilegio spectabilis, merito inlustris, ‘Flavius Nicetius, a man distinguished by birth, eminent by rank, illustrious by desert’, 3.5.1 si vir spectabilis . . . Donidius, 4.13.1 nuper rogatu Germanici spectabilis viri, 6.9.3 agite gratias Innocentio, spectabili viro, 7.8.2 Simplicium, spectabilem virum, 1.11.3 Catul- linus inlustris, 1.11.11 ad virum inlustrem Camillum, 5.17.7 vir inlustris Philomathius, 7.9.18 Eucherium et Pannychium inlustres. On another occasion, Sidonius made a tongue-in-cheek reference to a young literary friend as vir mag- nifi cus Hesperius (Ep. 4.21.1), an honorifi c usually reserved for high offi cials such as the Quaestor sacri palatii (CTh 1.1.6.2), the praetorian prefect (NVal 1.3.4), or the prefect of Rome (CTh 1.6.3). 39 Sidon. Ep. 1.3.1; 8.8.3 tu deductum nomen a trabeis atque eboratas curules et gestatorias bracteatas, et fastos recolas purpuris- satos. 40 Sidon. Carm. 7.154–7 rutilat cui maxima dudum / stemmata complexum germen, palmata cucurrit per proavos . . . patricius resplendet apex. 41 Sidon. Ep. 8.8.1, ‘of patrician stock’. 42 Sidon. Carm. 11.51–54, ‘scion of a patrician race’. 43 Sidon. Ep. 2.4.1 Vir clarissimus Proiectus, domi nobilis et patre patruoque spectabilibus . . . conspicuus, ‘Clarissimus Proiec- tus, a noble at home and distinguished by having a spectabilis father and uncle’, 3.10.1 vir clarissimus Theodorus, domi quidem nobilis, ‘clarissimus Theodorus, apart from being a nobleman at home’, 4.4.1 Faustinus, pater familias domi nobilis, ‘Faustinus, a head of a household, a noble at home’, 4.21.6 nobilium contubernio, ‘the company of nobles’.
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Another word used to describe senatorial status was generositas. For example, jealous young senators complained of ‘generositas trampled upon’ when Sidonius’ friend Gaudentius was pro- moted to the rank of vicarius.44 Sidonius also spoke of the ‘generositas of such great diligence’ of his young friend Hesperius.45 And the mother of Eparchius Avitus was described as a ‘generosa child-bearer’.46 An additional code word was familiaris, a term indicating intimate friendships with other high-ranking aristocrats.47 Sidonius also identifi ed members of the senatorial aristocracy by use of the appellation domine, which could be used for the highest levels of the aristocracy, from the emperor down: in the same letter, Majorian is addressed by Sidonius and another courtier as domine Auguste, domine princeps, and domine imperator.48 The designation domine maior was used for seven of Sidonius’ correspondents (Constantius of Lyon, Montius, Felix of Narbonne, Eutropius, Mamertus Claudianus, Arbogastes, and Consentius).49 Three individuals were called domine frater (Serranus, Evodius, and Volusianus),50 Felix was called domine meus,51 and Firminus was called domine fi li in two different letters.52 Sidonius even quotes somebody addressing him as domine Solli.53 Yet another commonly used descriptive term for senators, and the term used in the database, was simply senatorius.54 But many of the persons who appear in Sidonius’ poems and correspondence were not endowed with any of these honorifi cs. Indeed, of 241 named individuals generally identifi ed as being ‘senato- rial’ on the basis of being part of Sidonius’ extended social circle, only 125, or roughly half, are fi rmly attested as ‘senatorial’ based on the criteria of offi ce-holding, family relationship, or Sidonian termi- nology. This means that there can be a lot of uncertainty about just how ‘senatorial’ many of those in Sidonius’ extended social circle actually were, and just what it meant to be senatorius. The traditional stratifi ed social order of the Roman world had been disturbed, moreover, by the addition of a new order, the ordo clericalis. How did clerical offi ce fi t into the established world of social rank, status, and privilege? The evidence of Sidonius suggests that, in one sense, the clerical order became a second order parallel to the secular order.55 Thus, after becoming bishop, Sidonius became part of a different ordo.56 For him, an effective bishop had to respond
44 Sidon. Ep. 1.3.2 calcata generositas; Anderson translates generositas variously as ‘good birth’, ‘noble spirit’, and ‘nobility’. 45 Sidon. Ep. 2.10.1 tantae diligentiae generositatem. 46 Sidon. Carm. 7.164 generosa puerpera. 47 E.g., between his and Aquilinus’ fathers (Ep. 5.9.1, 3), and with Magnus Felix (Ep. 3.7.1, 4.10.1), with his old friends, the vir inlustris Catullinus (Ep. 1.11.3) and Attalus, Count of Autun (Ep. 5.18.1). 48 Sidon. Ep. 1.7.11-13. Cf. Köhler (1995) 325. 49 Sidon. Ep. 1.1.1, 1.11.17, 2.3.1, 3.6.3, 4.3.1, 4.17.1, 8.4.1. The order Mamertus Claudianus, as opposed to Clau- dianus Mamertus, is not only the order used by Sidonius (Ep. 5.2.1 Mamertus Claudianus peritissimus Christianorum philosophus) but also what one would expect from Roman nomenclature, with the cognomen ‘Claudianus’ used to distinguish him from his brother, also named Mamertus. 50 Sidon. Ep. 2.13.8, 4.8.4, 7.17.1. Cf. van Waarden (2016a) 211-12. 51 Sidon. Ep. 4.10.1. 52 Sidon. Ep. 9.1.1, 9.16.1. 53 Sidon. Ep. 5.17.9. 54 E.g., Sidon. Ep. 1.6.2 senatorii seminis homo, ‘a man of senatorial descent’, 2.9.6 senatorium ad morem, ‘in the sena- torial style’, 2.13.4 negotium principis et otium senatoris, ‘the business of an emperor and the quiet life of a senator’, 9.14.3 senatoriae iuventutis contubernio, ‘the company of young men of senatorial rank’. 55 Sidon. Ep. 7.5.1, for canvassing for the episcopate by members of each order (utriusque professionis ordinibus ambiendi sacerdotii quoddam classicum); and 7.9.3, for priests at the episcopal election at Bourges fearing candidates from dif- ferent ordines (non minus suum quam reliquos ordines pertimescebant). 56 Sidon. Ep. 4.14.3 humilitas nostrae professionis . . . in nostri ordinis viris, ‘the humility of our profession . . . in men of our order’, 4.22.5 ordine a nostro, ‘from our order’.
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to the needs of both the secular and ecclesiastical orders. Thus, he said regarding a newly selected bishop of Bourges: ‘Simplicius, hitherto a member of your order and now, henceforth, to be considered a member of ours, responds to each side in both action and profession, so that the Republic can fi nd in him something to admire and the church something to love.’57 In addition, the religious life itself had three ‘orders’: ‘monk or cleric or penitent’.58 And there also were different orders of the clergy; a priest, for example, was in ‘the second order’.59 All of these new kinds of ordines would have complicated the realm of social status, espe- cially because the senatorial and aristocratic ranks associated with ecclesiastical offi ces were not clearly defi ned: where did ecclesiastics fi t into the social hierarchy? By Sidonius’ time, with the decline of the opportunity to hold imperial offi ce, many aristocrats, ranging from senators to decurions, pursued careers in the church, and episcopal offi ce came to be particularly desired. It was possible, of course, for less privileged persons to be chosen as bishops, with Martin of Tours, a mere ex-soldier, being a famous example. But Sidonius does not mention, for the fi fth century, a single certain example of a bishop who was not already an aristocrat. Naturally, Sidonius was associating with people of his own class, and we can suppose that there were non-aristocratic bishops whom Sidonius did not mention. But for the purposes of this study, it is taken as a default that the bishops Sidonius mentions or corresponded with held the rank at least of clarissimus.60 In addition, much has been made of high-ranking secular offi cials making a leap to the episcopate, including examples such as Augustine of Hippo, Simplicius of Bourges, Ambrose of Milan, Paulinus of Nola, Germanus of Auxerre, and Sidonius himself. But only one of these, Sidonius, was a vir inlustris, an ex-prefect of Rome, and a patrician to boot. The others were smaller fi sh: Augustine had been the imperial rhetor of Milan,61 Simplicius some kind of legatus, Ambrose and Paulinus were consulares, of clarissimus rank, and Germanus, a dux, had the rank of spectabilis. It would thus appear that in the fi fth century very few Gallic bishops, or even clerics of any rank, had been imperial offi ce-holders.62 Some clerics acquired de facto secular ranks based on their offi ces. Bishops seem to have qualifi ed as inlustres, the rank that is used here.63 Sidonius also referred to an abbot as spectabilis, and because Sidonius was very exacting in his use of technical terminology, that rank likewise will be used here for abbots.64 But Sidonius does not seem to have accorded courtesy senatorial rank to other clerics, such as priests. In some individual instances, clerics are known to have
57 Sidon. Ep. 7.9.16 Simplicius hactenus vestri iamque abhinc nostri . . . habendus ordinis comes, ita utrique parti vel actu vel professione respondet ut et respublica in eo quod admiretur et ecclesia possit invenire quod diligat. 58 Sidon. Ep. 4.24.4 de tribus . . . ordinibus, monachum . . . an clericum paenitentemve. 59 Sidon. Ep. 4.11.6 antistes fuit ordine in secundo, on Mamertus Claudianus; cf. Ep. 4.25.4 hunc iam secundi ordinis sac- erdotem, on Iohannes, a priest of Chalon-sur-Saône; also 6.10.1 levitici ordinis honestat offi cium, ‘the offi ce of deacon honours [him]’, and 7.6.7 minorum ordinum ministeria, ‘clerics of the lower orders’. For the seven orders of the clergy, note the De septem ordinibus ecclesiae: see K alff (1938), Morin (1938), Griffe (1956). 60 Some may have been decurions, but, as already seen, ambitious decurions were regularly laying claim to, or being accorded, the courtesy rank of clarissimus. See Prinz (1975), Gassmann (1977), Mathisen (1981b), Gilliard (1984). 61 Imperial rhetors, that is, those supported by the state (CTh 13.3.11), were included along with comites consistoriani, and palatini and militares serving in the palace, as being among those who thanks to meritorum privilegia vel dignitatum, ‘privileges of merit or offi ce’, were exempt from providing munera sordida (CTh 11.16.15, 11.16.18). They were thus of very high status. 62 Examples in the database of secular offi cials who became clerics include, along with Sidonius, Ambrose, Paulinus, Augustine, Germanus, and Simplicius, the legatus Auxanius, who became an abbot, and the palatinus Maximus, who became a priest. 63 See Lotter (1970, 1971, 1973). 64 Sidon. Ep. 8.14.2 in illo quondam coenobio Lirinensi spectabile caput, ‘formerly an eminent head of that Lérins community’.
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been already of senatorial secular status, and they thus have that status in the database. But that leaves other senior clerics, priests and deacons, whose social rank is not known. Sidonius explicitly distinguished between the worlds of secular and ecclesiastical status, as when he described himself, a newly appointed bishop, to Leontius, bishop of Arles, as ‘until now, a saecularis’, and when he portrayed Victorius, the comes civitatis Arvernensis, as ‘my patron by secular right, my son by ecclesiastical right’.65 He used two terms for ecclesiastics: clericalis and religiosus. Vindicius, for example, is described as a virum religiosum et leviticae dignitati . . . accommodatissimum,66 with religiosus being his status and levites (deacon) his offi ce. Sidonius also spoke of his own change in status ‘from the beginning of the religious profession’,67 and commented regarding Philagrius: ‘You yourself manifest the reality of a religiosus, I merely the shadow of one.’68 Sidonius also contrasted the militia clericalis with the militia saecularis, as in his nomination speech for Simplicius as bishop of Bourges in c. 469/70: ‘If perhaps I name a secular offi cial, at once a protest arises with the words: “Sidonius was translated to the clergy because he came from a secular career”.’69 And as for the relative status of secular and ecclesi- astical rank, Sidonius responded to that issue in his famous observation: ‘There is a great igno- rance about the ordines . . . just as when at a banquet for a public festival the lowest ranking person at the fi rst table ranks ahead of him who ranks fi rst at the second table, in the opinion of good men the lowest ranking religiosus is considered to be higher ranking than the greatest honoratus.’70 In the database, priests and deacons of non-senatorial status are thus assigned a temporising rank of clericalis, and are considered to be honestiores. The rank of senatorial women, moreover, was determined by the rank of their families. Thus, women too, if they came from a senatorial family, had the entry-level rank of c.f., that is, clarissima femina. Not being permitted to hold offi ce, women could gain higher rank only by sharing in that of their husbands; thus, if a man became vir inlustris, his wife became femina inlustris. The lack of honorifi cs for women can make it rather diffi cult to classify women of honestior rank. A conventional term used to designate respectable women was matrona.71 In the jurist Paul’s section on Iniuria, for example, wounding the dignity of a matrona was a serious crime: ‘Injury, moreover, happens . . . when dignitas is wounded, as when the companions of 72 a matrona or girl are abducted.’ And a contemporary interpretation in the Breviarium of 506 CE observed: ‘Let no judge think that a matrona residing in her own home can be publicly dragged away by any offi cial, but let honourable convention toward her, out of respect for her sex, be
65 Sidon. Ep. 6.3.1 hactenus saecularis, 7.17.1 iure saeculari patronum, iure ecclesiastico fi lium. 66 Sidon. Ep. 5.1.2, ‘a religious man and eminently fi tted for the dignity of deacon’. 67 Sidon. Ep. 9.12.1 ab exordio religiosae professionis. 68 Sidon. Ep. 7.14.10 comples ipse personam religiosi, ego vel imaginem. 69 Sidon. Ep. 7.9.14 si militarem dixero forte personam, protinus in haec verba consurgitur: ‘Sidonius ad clericatum quia de saecu- lari professione translatus est’; cf. Ep. 4.4.1 provectu aetatis et militia clericali, ‘with advancing age and clerical service’, 4.22.5 homines clericalis offi cii, ‘men with a clerical offi ce’; 6.3.1 nostrae professionis, ‘our profession’. 70 Sidon. Ep. 7.12.4 grandis ordinum ignorantia . . . sicuti cum epulum festivitas publica facit, prior est in prima mensa conviva postremus ei, qui primus fuerit in secunda, sic . . . praestantior secundum bonorum sententiam computatur honorato maximo minimus religiosus. 71 Cf. CIL 2.7.439, Clodia Euporia of Córdoba, third century, described as castae et abstinentis bonae / indolis matronae, ‘a virtuous and temperate matron of good character’; Gregory of Tours, Hist. 1.36, 3.22, 8.28, likewise refers to respectable Roman women (Melania, Deuteria, Leuba) as matronae. For the earlier period, see Hemelrijk (1999) and Gibson (1998). 72 Collatio legum Mosaicarum et Romanarum 2.5.4: Paulus Iniuriae. Fit autem iniuria . . . cum dignitas laeditur, ut cum matro- nae vel praetextatae comites abducuntur; cf. Paul. Sent. 5.4.14 qui puero praetextato stuprum aliudve fl agitium abducto ab eo vel corrupto comite persuaserit, mulierem puellamve interpellaverit, ‘whoever persuades a boy wearing the toga praetexta to commit debauchery or any other offence, after abducting or bribing his attendant, or solicits a woman or girl’.
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preserved.’73 Sidonius regularly used this term to describe aristocratic women. Thus, along with being described as a morigera coniunx and domina clemens, Philomathia is twice called a matrona, as is the venerabilis Eutropia.74 The women of the families of Sidonius’ cousin Apollinaris, and of Lucontius and Volusianus, were also matronae.75 The seats in the women’s section of the library of Tonantius Ferreolus were matronarum cathedrae, and the women’s dining room at Avitacum was the triclinium matronale.76 And Sidonius revealed his attitude towards matronae in his discussion of the unnamed wife of Simplicius, the newly installed bishop of Bourges, when he commented: ‘The standing [persona] of a matrona requires that discussion of her be respectful and succinct.’77 This term is therefore used in the database for respectable women whose status is not directly attested as senatorial.
6 The Rest of the Social World Ranking just below senatores, and in the lowest ranks of the honestiores, were the curiales, or decu- rions, the members of town councils, small-time elites who historically oversaw local administra- tion and, so to speak, had been the big fi sh in the small ponds. But as the decades had gone by and senators increasingly pursued local interests, the decurions, who already had reputations for oppression of city populations,78 faced being squeezed out of the elite social world by those who claimed some kind of senatorial status. Few of these local gentry left any record of their activi- ties or even of their existence.79 The world of the humiliores was populated by the free, plebeii; the semi-free, coloni;80 the half-free, liberti;81 and the unfree, servi.82 Roman legislation made very clear the distinction between plebeians and those ‘of any superior rank’.83 Thus, Sidonius put special emphasis on the degradation of Arvandus, who was, he claimed, ‘not so much added as returned to a plebe- ian family’.84 That said, however, plebeian status, which made one eligible to be a cliens, was just one rung below the status of honestior and ranked above the dependent status of colonus, inquilinus, or tributarius; thus, in are rare stance of status change, Sidonius asked, regarding a dependant of his friend Pudens: ‘Having been made a client from a tributary, let him begin to have plebeian rather than colonary standing [persona].’85 For the least privileged, Sidonius
73 CTh 1.22.1 (Interpretatio, 506 CE) Nullus iudicum matronam in domo sua residentem per quemcumque apparitorem ad publicum existimet protrahendam, sed circa eam, pro sexus reverentia, conventio honesta servetur. Here, the word matrona replaces the materfamilias of the original law, a term that does not appear in Sidonius. 74 Sidon. Ep. 2.8.1–3, 6.2.1–4. 75 Sidon. Ep. 4.6.2, 4.18.2. 76 Sidon. Ep. 2.9.4, 2.2.9. 77 Sidon. Ep. 7.9.24 persona matronae verecundam succinctamque sui exigit mentionem. 78 E.g. Lepelley (1983a). 79 One who did is Nymfi us, from the upper Garonne in Novempopulana, whose wife Serena composed an elaborate epitaph at some point between 350 and 450 (CIL 13.128); see Sivan (1989b). 80 E.g. Lepelley (1983b), Sirks (1993). 81 E.g. Curchin (1987). 82 Whittaker (1987). 83 CTh 7.18.1 (365) Si plebeiae et humilioris condicionis est, metalli se sciat supplicio puniendum, qui autem superioris cuius- cumque loci dignitatisve sit, media se bonorum parte cognoscat esse multandum, ‘If he is of plebeian and lower rank, let him know that he is to be condemned to the quarries, but if he belongs to any higher order and dignity, let him understand that he is to be fi ned half the amount of his possessions.’ 84 Sidon. Ep. 1.11.11 Arvandus plebeiae familiae non ut additus sed ut redditus. 85 Sidon. Ep. 5.19.1–2 cliens factus e tributario, plebeiam potius incipiat habere personam quam colonariam; see Demicheli (2012).
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rarely used the word servus, and when he did, it usually had negative connotations, as in the case of the mother of Geiseric (Carm. 2.358–9), or the slaves who murdered Lampridius (Ep. 8.11.11). More usually, he preferred terms such as puer, ancilla, mancipium, or famulus (‘dependant’, the term used here).
7 Demography With this background, one now might look at some aggregate demographic results of the database as a whole to get a general sense of the social universe of late antique Gaul. As would be expected, the closer Sidonius gets to his own time, the more persons he mentions, thus, 35 entries (7%) come from the fourth century, 48 (9%) from the early fi fth century (400–31), 55 (11%) from the time of his youth (432–54), and 375 (73%), the vast majority, from the time of his adulthood (455–85). Regarding the geographic origin of individual persons, 353 (80%) are from Gaul, certainly no surprise. There are also 35 (8%) from Italy, 14 (2.7%) from Spain, 12 (2.3%) from Dacia and the Danube, 11 (2.5%) from Thrace, including Constantinople, and 5 or fewer from Britain, Illyricum, Africa, the East, and Mesopotamia. One notes, moreover, a great disparity between the numbers from the letters versus the poems. Only 43 of 353 individual Gauls, or 12%, are known just from the poems as opposed to the letters, whereas 37 of 91 non-Gauls, or 46%, are known only from the poems. Why, one might ask, is there such a high concentration of non-Gauls in the poems? The answer is probably fairly straightforward. Carmina 1–5, which include two of the three lengthy panegyrics, were addressed to persons from outside Gaul, and in these poems, 25 non-Gauls were mentioned but only one Gaul. Thus, one must always be sensitive to any inherent biases that might skew the data from a subset of the source material. With respect to religious affi liation, 397 (89%) of the 445 individuals are identifi ed as Nicene Christians,86 23 (5.2%) as Homoian, 18 (4.1%) as pagan, and 3 (0.7%) as Jewish. Regarding ethnicity, 410 (92%) of the individuals are identifi ed as Roman, 10 (2.2%) as Visigothic, 5 each (1.1%) as Frankish or Hunnic, 4 each (0.9%) as Burgundian or Suevic, 3 (0.7%) as Vandal, and 2 each (0.4%) as Breton or Ostrogothic. Given the database methods for determining ethnicity and religious affi liation, it is no surprise that these two categories largely overlap. There are several ways of approaching social status. Regarding legal status, 376 (85%) of the 445 individuals qualify as honestiores, 42 (9%) as humiliores, and 27 (6%) as non-Roman. With respect to social standing, among individuals there are 196 securely attested men and women of secular aristocratic status (members of the imperial family, those specifi cally attested with the rank of clarissimus, spectabilis, inlustris, or patricius, plus their immediate families), or 44% of all 445 individuals, including 13 patricians and 59 of illustrious rank. If one considers only named persons, there are 147 male and female aristocrats, or 48% of the total number of 308 named individuals. But if one includes secular individuals who are merely presumed to have held aristocratic status, the number goes up to 337, 76% of the 445 individuals. On the other hand, only 26 decurions (5.8% of the total individuals) have been posited, and most of these only tentatively, although, as noted above, some of the individuals identifi ed as ‘senators’ were probably decurions. As for clergy, Sidonius mentions 90 individual ecclesiastics (bishops, abbots, priests, deacons, monks, lectors, and ‘clerics’), 20% of the total number of individuals, including 59 bishops, 13% of the number of individuals. The percentages rise a bit with regard to
86 Plus three Christians from prior to the Nicene period.
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named persons: 77 of these clerics are named, 86% of the clerics, and 17% of the total number of named persons. Moreover, Sidonius wrote to 33 ecclesiastics, 41% of the 80 laypersons with whom he corresponded, and the number of letters that he wrote to clerics, 48, is 48% of the number that he wrote to laypersons, 99. This indicates that, whereas with regard to secular persons Sidonius’ collection includes a broad catchment, with respect to clerics, Sidonius’ correspondents were limited to a proportionally smaller number of people, with several of them receiving more than one letter. Thus, 7 clerics received more than one letter, compared to 12 secular persons. These numbers indicate that, in spite of Sidonius’ brave assertion that ‘the humblest cleric is accounted to be higher ranking than the greatest secular offi cial’,87 he always maintained close ties to the secular world. Nor was Sidonius the only secular offi cial in his social world who became a cleric. Eight other aristocrats in the database also bled into the clergy, all but two as bishops (see Table 2.1). Does a prosopographer count these persons as senators or clerics? In this database, indi- viduals who had documented senatorial status, such as vir clarissimus or vir spectabiis, at the time they became clerics retain that status in the statistics. That leaves gender distribution. One would expect that there would be more men than women. What might be a bit surprising, however, is the extent of the disparity. Of the total 518 entries, 454, or 88%, are for men, and only 64, or 12%, for women; of 445 individuals, 386 (87%) are male and 59 (13%) are female.88 In the aggregate, therefore, Sidonius presents a late Roman world where individual per- sons were Roman (92%), Nicene (89%), male (87%), privileged (83%), and Gallic (80%). And yet, as will be seen, some of the most signifi cant observations will come not from the pre- dominating group within each category, which to a large extent tell us things that we already
Table 2.1 Secular offi ce-holders who became clerics Name Secular position Ecclesiastical offi ce Location Date Ambrosius Consularis Bishop Milan L IV Martinus Soldier Monk/Bishop Tours L IV Meropius Pontius Consularis Bishop Nola L IV/E V Paulinus Aurelius Augustinus Imperial rhetor Bishop Hippo L IV/E V Germanus Dux Bishop Auxerre 418–46 Maximus Palatinus Priest Auvergne 460s C. Sollius Apollinaris Praefectus urbi Romae Bishop Clermont 432–85 Sidonius Simplicius Legatus Bishop Bourges 469/75 Auxanius Legatus Abbot Auvergne 465–78
87 Sidon. Ep. 7.12.4 to Tonantius Ferreolus: absque confl ictatione praestantior secundum bonorum sententiam computatur honorato maxime minimus religiosus. 88 Compared to PLRE 2, which contains 9% women as opposed to 91% men.
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knew, but from the individuals who functioned on the fringes of this privileged, Roman, Gallic, Nicene, male-oriented world.
8 Sidonius’ Personal World Along with the picture of the late Roman world writ large, Sidonius also reveals much about his personal world, and the people he interacted with, either up close or at a distance, dur- ing his lifetime. Whereas his poems were addressed to or written on behalf of 15 different persons, his letter collection includes missives to 113 different correspondents.89 In his letters and poems, Sidonius also names 109 additional individuals from his own lifetime, virtually the same number, who did not receive a letter or poem from him. Thus, if a person was named in the poem or letter collection, there was a 50–50 chance that that person was a recipient of a letter or poem. Two correspondents (Graecus of Marseille and Sidonius’ cousin Simplicius) received fi ve letters, four (Constantius of Lyon, Magnus Felix, Lupus of Troyes, and Sidonius’ cousin Apollinaris) received four letters, two (Petronius and Ruricius of Limoges) received three letters, ten persons (Agricola, Aper, Ecdicius, Eutropius, Faustus, Firminus, Fonteius, Heronius, Leo, and Syagrius) received two letters, and the rest received a single letter. On the other hand, three letters were addressed to two individuals (Apollinaris and Simplicius, and Sacerdos and Justinus). The individuals with the greatest numbers of total references are Lupus of Troyes, mentioned in eight letters or poems; Constantius, Graecus, Magnus Felix, Leo, and Sidonius’ cousin Simplicius, who appear in six texts; and Ecdicius, Petronius, Petrus, Ruricius, and Tonantius Ferreolus, each of whom is cited in fi ve different documents. Statistical analysis suggests that several categories of persons were of particular interest to Sidonius. Many individuals – 246, or 55% of the total – held some kind of secular or eccle- siastical offi ce, such as consul, priest, or rhetor. Even more strikingly, 202 of these, or 78%, were named. For Sidonius, then, offi ce-holding was a very important criterion for making a person worthy of mention. A second characteristic that Sidonius clearly valued was family relationships: 242 of 445 individuals cited – 54% – had one or more relatives mentioned. Even more signifi cantly, 95 of 137 anonymous individuals, or 69%, were cited along with named relatives; had it not been for the latter, they would not have been mentioned at all. On this basis, one can propose that Sidonius’ social world was very much a family affair. Elements of patronage and dependency also appear as a third leitmotif in Sidonius’ letters, with 100 persons being involved in the bestowing of favours, ranging from loans of books among the elite, to direct assistance, intercession, and the granting of letters of introduction, commendation, and reference to the less privileged. Providing assistance in legal cases is a particularly repetitious theme. A fourth theme that permeates Sidonius’ works is the role of literary culture in maintain- ing the class consciousness of the late Roman elite. Thus, 128 entries (29% of the individuals) in the database deal with literary matters, including 18 rhetors and 2 grammarians. Equally signifi cantly, 113, or 88%, of these individuals are named. The pursuit of literary interests,
89 For lists of Sidonius’ correspondents, see Dalton (1915) 161–84 and Desbrosses (2018) 370–422. Three letters are addressed to more than one person (Ep. 4.4, 4.12, 5.21): see below.
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of course, always had been one mark of good Roman aristocrats, and helped to occupy their senatorial otium (leisure).90 In an earlier age, literary activities also had been the means by which a new man like Ausonius could become a member of the aristocracy; in fi fth-century Gaul, however, such endeavours became a means by which someone born an aristocrat could remain one.91 Literary pursuits served to shore up the sagging morale of Gallo-Roman aristocrats who were faced on all sides by the decline of Roman imperial authority. Even if many had fallen on hard times economically, and had lost the opportunities for imperial offi ce-holding, they still could fi nd common ground and participate on equal terms in the literary arena, even if, as Sidonius acknowledged, their literary skills might be somewhat lacking.92 Thus, Sidonius could write to his otherwise undistinguished friend Philagrius: ‘By universal judgement, the dignity, virtue, and pre-eminence of knowledge are acclaimed, and through its ranks one ascends to the highest peak of accomplishment.’93 Likewise, in a letter to his friend the grammarian Johannes, Sidonius made his famous prediction: ‘Because the imperial ranks and offi ces have now been swept away, through which it was possible to distinguish all the highest men from the lowest, from now on to know literature will be the only indication of nobility.’94 This sentiment also was conveyed implicitly in a letter of Sidonius to his friend Syagrius, where he referred to one of the latter’s ancestors as a man ‘to whom his literary ability would have granted recognition, if his imperial offi ces had not done so’.95 Syagrius had the opportunity for secular advancement; most of Sidonius’ friends did not, and thus sought solace in their literary activities as a substitute.96 The very act of letter-writing, moreover, was an essential element of the maintenance of literary culture. Not only were the letters per se manifestations of the exercise of literary inclinations, but their circulation played a signifi cant role in the maintenance of personal ties among Gallic elites residing at some distance from each other. For Sidonius, then, it was these three institutions – family relationships, the patron–client relationship, and the pursuit of literary culture – that provided the glue that bound late Roman aristocratic society together.
9 Underrepresented Groups The database highlights the existence of several sorts of persons who are underrepresented in standard studies of prosopography and society.
90 See Baldwin (1982). 91 For Ausonius, see Sivan (1993). 92 E.g. Sidon. Ep. 9.14.8 qui . . . ignorantiam suam factae severitatis velamine tegant. imperitis venia debetur, ‘(judges) who will perhaps conceal their ignorance under a veil of artifi cial severity. Allowance must be made for the unaca- demic.’; for the topos, see Mathisen (1988a). 93 Sidon. Ep. 7.14.7 conclamata sunt namque iudicio universali scientiae dignitas virtus praerogativa, cuius ad maximum culmen meritorum gradibus ascenditur. See van Waarden (2016a) 118–19 and Kelly in this volume, ch. 3, sect. 4.2, on the possibility of a literary fi ction. 94 Sidon. Ep. 8.2.2 nam iam remotis gradibus dignitatum, per quae solebat ultimo a quoque summus quisque discerni, solum erit posthac nobilitatem indicium litteras nosse. 95 Sidon. Ep. 5.5.1 cui procul dubio statuas dederant litterae, si trabeae non dedissent. 96 For the parallel importance of offi ce and literary skills, see also Sidon. Ep. 8.6.2; and Auspicius of Toul, Ep. ad Arbogastem: MGH Epp. 3.135-7 no. 23 = MGH Poet.lat. 4.2.614. Offi cial rank, of course, was preferred, if it was available: see Sidon. Ep. 1.6.5.
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9.1 What’s in a Name? First, anonymous individuals. Sidonius’ late Roman world was populated by a large number of unnamed persons. 97 Indeed, the Sidonius database of 518 entries includes 308 (60%) named individuals and 210 (40%) anonymous individuals and groups. If we leave out the groups (which are by their nature all anonymous), there are 445 individuals comprising 308 (69%) named indi- viduals and 137 (31%) anonymous individuals.98 Included among the anonymi are 20 individuals whom Sidonius does not name, but whose identity can be inferred: for example, fi ve emperors and an empress – Gratian, Valentinian II, Magnus Maximus, Theodosius II, Licinia Eudoxia, and Marcian – were alluded to, all in the Carmina, but left unnamed. And on two occasions Sidonius declined to name bishops of important cities (Narbonne and Trier): did he not know who they were?99 In the calculations these deduced persons are treated as ‘anonymous’. It has often been claimed that, with the possible exception of epigraphy, one cannot do quan- titative analysis of less privileged persons in Antiquity, but in Sidonius these persons are in fact hiding in plain sight as the great mass of nameless persons who provided the social background to the world of the senatorial elite. A signifi cant difference between the privileged and unprivi- leged is that the latter are usually left unnamed, for whether Sidonius thought a person merited having their name given is a key indicator of the degree to which he thought an individual fi tted into the late Roman social world. Thus, to create a model of Sidonius’ social world that is as accurate as possible, it is crucial that anonymous persons (both individuals and groups) be included: just because Sidonius, for whatever reason, chose not to cite a person’s name does not mean that person did not exist. These anonymous individuals were just as real as the persons whom Sidonius did name, and any comprehensive study of Sidonius’ social world must take cognisance of them, Standard prosopographical catalogues and discussions perpetuate the omission of anonymous persons. Heinzelmann , for example, includes no anonymous persons, nor does Stroheker or PCBE. And even though PLRE claims that it will include anonymi, PLRE 2, for example, lists only 30 anonymous women and 126 anonymous men for the entire Roman world between 395 and 527.100 For many prosopographers, therefore, people without names are simply written out of history. One does not, however, need to have a name to exist as a person, and unnamed persons can play just as important a role in studies of group dynamics as persons with names, especially with respect to less privileged social groups. The large number of anonymous individuals mentioned by Sidonius indicates that even if he did not name them, he still thought that they had a part to play. To get further insight into how Sidonius envisioned his social world, one might look for patterns in who got named and who did not. For some data categories, there is a relatively high percentage of naming. For example, with respect to careers, 71% of 24 military offi cers are named, as are 74% of the 23 members of the imperial house, 75% of 16 royal barbarians, 77% of 94 members of the impe- rial civil administration, 76% of 38 members of the provincial administration, and 86% of 90 ecclesiastics. The high percentage of named imperial offi cials and ecclesiastics demonstrates how scrupulous Sidonius was when it came to giving due recognition to his offi ce-holding confrères.
97 For ‘what’s in a name’, see e.g. Cherf (1994), Salway (1994). 98 As a comparandum, in the Biographical Database for Late Antiquity Project, some 60% of the entries from Gregory of Tours are anonymi. 99 Sidon. Carm. 23.443, Ep. 4.17.3. 100 Heinzelmann (1982), Stroheker (1948). Strikingly, in PLRE many otherwise qualifi ed anonymous individuals who are cited in individual entries for named persons have been omitted from PLRE’s own lists of ‘Anonymi’.
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In addition, the distribution of named versus unnamed among different social categories also suggests that, for Sidonius, giving a person a name could be a means of allocating them greater signifi cance. Thus, whereas 290 of 410 (71%) individual Romans received names, only 16 of 35 (46%) non-Romans (nearly all barbarians) were named. In a like vein, 280 of 398 (70%) of Nicenes were named, but only 11 of 23 (48%) of Homoians, compared to 12 of 18 (67%) of pagans. Thus, Roman Nicenes, not surprisingly, were deemed more worthy of being fully identifi ed than barbarian Homoians. But pagans, who included luminaries ranging from Quintus Aurelius Symmachus to Attila the Hun, were most likely of all to be named. With respect to area of origin, moreover, there is a marginal preference for giving names to persons who did not come from Gaul: whereas 241 of 354 (68%) of Gauls were named, 67 of 91 (74%) of non-Gauls were, and a striking 29 of 35 (83%) of persons from Italy were given names. The reason for this disparity is that Sidonius mentions a far greater number of persons of lower social rank, usually in a domestic capacity, for Gaul than for other regions. The nature of the signifi cance of being being named becomes more clear when it comes to rank and status. Whereas 279 (75%) of the 374 individual Roman honestiores were named, only 15 (35%) of the 44 Roman humiliores were – and not a single colonus, libertus, or servus. On the other hand, an exceptionally high percentage of individuals from the highest ranks of the Roman nobility were named: 12 of 13 (92%) from patrician families, and 51 of 59 (86%) of secular viri inlustres. Strikingly, 51 of 57 bishops (89%) also are named, attesting to the overlap between the secular and ecclesiastical aristocracies at the highest levels when it came to being accorded names. These observations in particular lead to an inescapable, and also unsurprising, conclu- sion that being named was directly associated with social status: the higher individuals’ social status was, the more likely they were to be named.
9.2 Where are the Women? The disparity between named and unnamed is particularly egregious with respect to gender. The contrast between 88% male individuals in the database versus 12% female becomes much greater with regard to naming. Whereas 292 of the 386 men (76% of the individual men and 66% of all individuals) are named, only a pathetic 16 of the 59 women (27% of the individual women, 5.5% of the named men, and 3.6% of all individuals) are given names. Likewise, 241 of 290 (83%) of aristocratic men are named, whereas only 16 of 43 (37%) of aristocratic women are. These include two empresses (Aelia Marcia Euphemia and Fausta), one queen (Ragnahilda), and 13 known for their family role: 7 wives, 2 daughters, 2 mothers, an aunt, and a widow (Araneola, Auspicia, Eulalia, Hiberia, Papianilla the wife of Sidonius, Papianilla the wife of Tonantius Ferreolus, Rusticiana, Roscia, Severiana, Livia, Philomathia, Frontina, Eutropia). And that is to say noth- ing of the Burgundian queen Caretena, whom Sidonius declined to name but still compared to Tanaquil and Agrippina.101 Only one named woman, Eutropia, is presented as actually doing anything, in this case pursuing a lawsuit.102 Another woman was described as ‘so fi lled with the fear of God that she fi lled all men with awe’.103 Indeed, the squalling anonymous Gothic
101 Sidon. Ep. 5.7.7. 102 Sidon. Ep. 6.2.1–4. 103 Sidon. Ep. 4.21.4 sed et matertera tua hinc, et hinc fuit sanctior sanctis Frontina virginibus, quam verebatur mater, pater ven- erabatur, summae abstinentiae puella, summi rigoris ac fi dei ingentis, sic deum timens, ut ab hominibus timeretur, ‘and from the same land came your aunt, came Frontina, holier than the holy virgins, revered by her mother, venerated by her father, a lady remarkable for the self-denial and austerity of her life, who in the immensity of her faith was so fi lled with the fear of God that she fi lled all men with awe’.
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women who disturbed Sidonius’ sleep get better coverage than most of the named women.104 All this makes women the most underrepresented of all the categories in the database with respect to naming. These statistics graphically confi rm the extent to which Sidonius inhabited a homosocial world where women were rarely mentioned, and even more rarely named.105 At least insofar as his poetry and letters went, women were barely on Sidonius’ radar.106
9.3 Where are the Children? Another category of individuals noteworthy for their absence in the works of Sidonius is chil- dren, that is, minors. Of the ten entries for children, barely 1.9% of the total, the only ones he names are three of his own: Apollinaris, Roscia (cared for by her grandmother and her paternal aunts when she was ill), and Severiana (called sollicitudo communis, ‘our common concern’); the fourth, Alcima, is left unmentioned and unnamed.107 A poem sent to Ommatius also conveyed an invitation to the sixteenth birthday celebration of a young family member, probably one of Sidonius’ children, on 29 July.108 Even in the domestic scenes that Sidonius discusses, chil- dren hardly ever appear. Only six other entries concern children, all of them anonymous: the children of Amantius (whom their grandmother adored), the children of Audax and Ecdi- cius (who Sidonius hoped would outdo their fathers), the deceased son of Eutropia, the fi ve children of the deceased Philomathia, and the daughter raised by Vettius after the death of his wife.109 The lack of attention to women and younger children only enhances the degree to which the social setting depicted in Sidonius’ writings was very much of a man’s world. Consistent with Sidonius’ focus on the importance of literary studies, one class of young men approaching adulthood that does crop up is students. Sidonius tells a charming tale about himself and his son Apollinaris, still a student at the time (studenti) and probably in his teens, reading Terence and Menander together.110 Sidonius also notes that his young friend Bur- gundio, like Sidonius’ son Apollinaris, was studying literature: he had already delivered one declamation, and was in the midst of preparing another, this one about Julius Caesar; Sidonius opined that he would be studying with the ‘senatorial youth’ of Rome if travel conditions permitted.111 Other students appear in Sidonius’ story of how, while waiting for mass to begin in Lyon, he and a group of his friends played ball with a caterva scholasticorum, ‘a crowd of stu- dents’; the elderly vir inlustris Philomathius could not keep up with the young men (iuvenes) and was soon completely winded.112 And Sidonius also commented that the declamations of iuvenes were easier to shorten if they were too long than to lengthen if they were too short – an observation that continues to be applicable to students in the present day.113
104 Sidon. Ep. 8.3.2. 105 For the nature of homosocial society, see e.g. Rose (1985). 106 For women in Sidonius, see e.g. Mascoli (2000) 98–100 and (2003b). 107 Sidon. Ep. 5.16.4–5, 2.12.2, Greg. Tur. Hist. 3.2, 3.12, Glor. mart. 64. 108 Sidon. Carm. 17.1 Quattuor ante dies . . . Sextilis . . . natalis nostris decimus sextusque coletur, ‘Four days before (the fi rst of) August, there will be celebrated by my family a sixteenth birthday.’ Speculations abound as to the identity of this child; see Kelly’s discussion in this volume, ch. 3, sect. 3.1, n. 42. 109 Sidon. Ep. 7.2.8, 8.7.4, 5.16.4, 6.2.2, 2.8.1, 4.9.4. 110 Sidon. Ep. 4.12.1; Sidonius notes that he was already bishop (professionis oblitus, ‘forgetting my profession’). 111 Sidon. Ep. 9.14.3 illic senatoriae iuventutis contubernio mixtus erudirere, ‘there you will be taught in the company of the senatorial youth’. 112 Sidon. Ep. 5.17.6–7 cum caterva scholasticorum lusimus . . . Filimatius . . . ‘ausus et ipse manu iuvenum temptare laborem’, sphaeristarum se turmalibus constanter immiscuit, ‘we played with a group of students. Filimatius, “daring to lay hand to the toil of youths”, resolutely plunged into the ranks of the ball-players’. 113 Sidon. Ep. 1.4.3 eloquia iuvenum laboriosius brevia produci quam porrecta succidi.
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9.4 Where are the Decurions? One might now consider an apparent oddity: the nearly total lack of explicit references to decurions, or members of city councils, who supposedly made up the backbone of local administration in the late antique world. One well might ask: ‘Where are the decurions?’ When Sidonius discussed meetings of the local curia, or get-togethers of the leading citi- zens, surely there were many decurions there. One possible explanation for this oversight is that Sidonius simply chose not to mention persons of lower social status. But the evi- dence of the database shows that this is not the case; it includes many individuals – 44 to be precise – of merely humilior (plebeian and servile) status. So surely decurions are in there somewhere. But where? On the only occasion when Sidonius identifi ed someone as a decurion, it was done in a derogatory manner: Sidonius’ rival Paeonius was disparaged as being ‘no more distinguished than of municipal birth’, and his daughter, ‘although hon- estissima’, married into a family of superior rank when Paeonius, ‘contrary to the rigidity of civic custom’, provided a splendid dowry.114 The references to Paeonius’ ‘municipal’ and ‘civic’ background would seem to point to curial origin, and the designation vir hon- estissimus was often used for decurions. For example, in an inscription from Minturnum in Latium et Campania the honestissimus populus honoured the v(ir) l(audabilis) Honorius Flavius Theodorus for his infi nita benefi cia.115 A municipal inscription from Calama in Numidia dating to the reigns of Honorius and Theodosius II (408–23 CE) lists several viri clarissimi followed by Valentinus vir honestissimus curator rei publicae, demonstrating Valen- tinus’ lower rank, and an inscription from Africa Proconsularis honouring the emperor Theodosius I or II cited the fl amen perpetuus Rufi nianus, a vir clarissimus, followed by a lower-ranking v(ir) h(onestissimus), apparently a decurion, who also held the municipal offi ce of curator reipublicae.116 Meanwhile, in Gaul, Flavius Postuminus, an honestissimus civis and twice duovir, a municipal offi ce, was honoured by the Civitas Redonum (Rennes).117 The use of this honorifi c for decurions would have provided an explicit reminder that decurions might have been on the lowest rung of the honestiores, but they nevertheless were honestiores, so even if they did not qualify as clarissimi, they did enjoy the honorifi c honestissimus/a.118 With this in mind, it may be that Sidonius’ use of this word provides a clue to persons being of curial origin, such as a young man who, according to a letter to bishop Ambrosius, squandered much of his inheritance during an infatuation with a ‘shameless slave-girl’ (ancilla propudiosissima). This vir laudandus then made a respectable marriage and enjoyed ‘honour- able love of husband for wife’ (honestissimus uxorius amor). Sidonius’ description of a person with some reputation (fama) and only a modest inheritance (bonuscula avita paternaque), not to
114 Sidon. Ep. 1.11.5 non eminentius quam municipaliter natus . . . ut familiae superiori per fi liam saltim quamquam honestis- simam iungeretur, contra rigorem civici moris splendidam . . . dotem . . . dixerat. For disparaging use of the term, note also Sidon. Carm. 9.309 municipalibus poetis, ‘small-town poets’. 115 AE (1989) 137. 116 CIL 8.24069; see e.g. Burton (1979), Langhammer (1973) 169–75. For the abbreviation v.h., see Egbert (1896) 184, 457. 117 AE (1969/70) 405a. 118 Note also Ven. Fort. Vita Germani Parisiensis 1, referring to the parents of Germanus of Paris: patre Eleutherio, matre quoque Eusebia, honestis honoratisque parentibus procreatus, ‘his father was Eleutherius, his mother Eusebia, honour- able and distinguished parents’; also Aërius, vir honestissimus (Symm. Ep. 5.81; PLRE 1, 24), and Aventius, a vir honoratus from Tarraco born in 422 (AE (1938) 27).
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mention the use of the code-words honestissimus and laudabilis, would have been appropriate for someone of curial status.119 Sidonius also reported on a certain Gallus who had established, or more likely re-established, himself as a vir honestus by obeying an order of Lupus of Troyes to return to his wife.120 This designation would have been doubly appropriate if Gallus was also f curial origin. The family of the likeable rogue Amantius may also have been of curial status. Sidonius reports: ‘The origins of his parents were not distinguished but unimpeachable; just as they boasted nothing illustrious, they likewise feared nothing servile’, a middling rank that would suit curial status.121 In addition, Sidonius’ observation that ‘their service had been pursued in clerical rather than palatine service’ may be refl ective of the attempt of some decurions to escape the performance of municipal duties by entering the clergy.122 Sidonius’ failure to point directly to anyone’s curial status except as an insult probably refl ects a desire to create class solidarity among Gallic elites. There was no need to focus too much on inferior status distinctions. After all, everyone already knew what they were, so no need to rub it in. Thus, in his circulated works Sidonius could focus on what bound elites together, not what differentiated them. And in any event, by this period the concept of senator had become so diluted that, just as the old equestrian class had been absorbed into the senatorial class, now the old curial class was being absorbed into a new, broader, more inclusive ‘senatorial’ class, perhaps as a result of a ‘no aristocrat left behind’ philosophy. Just as clergy and litterati were included in the new aristocracy, so were the decurions. Many of the persons mentioned by Sidonius whom we customarily iden- tify as senatorial were probably municipal elites who were accorded ‘guest membership’ in the senatorial aristocracy as a consequence of Sidonius’ ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. Thus, one might expect that many curiales also lurk among the 137 individual men and women allocated ‘senato- rial’ status here, as well as in modern prosopographical catalogues, but not specifi cally attested as being of senatorial rank. But any acceptance in senatorial circles was qualifi ed; Sidonius expected decurions to know their place, and he looked somewhat askance at individuals, such as Amantius and Paeonius, who attempted to improve their rank and social status.
9.5 Where are the Soldiers? In what is often considered to have become a militarised society, Sidonius’ world is remark- ably lacking in the military.123 Sidonius’ works mention 51 fi fth-century individuals and
119 Sidon. Ep. 9.6.1–2 puellam . . . intactam vir laudandus in matrimonium adsumpsit, ‘he has now become a respectable husband by marrying an untouched girl’. For the term vir laudabilis, see also CIL 10.1354 (Nola): Hic requiescit in / pace Paulus v(ir) l(audabilis) decu/rio; CIL 5.5214 (Leucerae): Vigilius v(ir) l(audabilis) p(res)b(yte)r; MGH Form. p. 28, l. 22 ego te vir laudabilis illum defensore necnon et vos honerati, 29, 16 Arvernis aput vir laudabile illo defensore, 97, 18 peto, obtime defensor, vosque, laudabiles curialis atque municepis. Additionally, in the fourth century, two Gallic women, Maccusa Muceris and Victoria sive Valeriosa, ‘out of desire for their uncle Fl. Gemellus, vir perfectissimus and Count, came through diverse places in the provinces to the province of Macedonia from farthest Gaul’ (ob desiderium avunculi eorum Fl. Gemelli v.p. comitis ab ultima Gallia per diversa loca provinciarum ad provinciam Macedoniam venerunt). They died there, and ‘the aformentioned vir laudabilis ordered this memorial to be made for them’ (quibus memoratus vir laudabilis . . . iussit eis memoriam fi eri) (CIL 3.14406, ILS 8454). In this case, vir laudabilis, like vir perfectissimus, referred to a person of equestrian, that is non-senatorial, status. 120 Sidon. Ep. 6.9.1 Vir iam honestus Gallus, quia iussus ad coniugem redire non distulit, ‘The vir honestus Gallus, as, having been so ordered, he did not delay to return to his wife’. 121 Sidon. Ep. 7.2.3 parentes natalibus non superbis sed absolutis, et sicut nihil illustre iactantes, ita nihil servile metuentes. 122 Sidon. Ep. 7.2.3 militia illis in clericali potius quam in palatino decursa comitatu; see Declareuil (1935). 123 See e.g. O’Flynn (1983), MacGeorge (2002).
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groups involved in military activities, 9.9% of the total number of entries. This sounds like a signifi cant number, but most of these references are either obiter dicta or concern individuals being discussed in other contexts. Thirty-six of these references are to military commanders, including 23 entries for Roman offi cers (Master of Soldiers, comes, dux, and tribune), and 13 entries for barbarian kings and warlords who engaged in military activities, 11 of whom, such as Attila and Euric, are named. Of the 36 individuals in military command positions, 26, or 79%, are named, and they also include 26 of the 27 named military men. The picture for regular soldiers is rather different. The 15 entries include 10 groups, 5 individuals, and only a single named person. The soldiers are nearly always either barbarians or independent auxiliary forces. The panegyrics do include some de rigueur accounts of an emperor’s military exploits, only a few of which involved Gaul, but the letters have almost no references to military affairs, and soldiers are noteworthy by their absence. Two of the most striking accounts of military encounters involved Sidonius’ own family: his father-in-law Eparchius Avitus’ defeat of a raiding party of Huns in Roman service c. 439, and his brother-in-law Ecdicius’ victory in a skirmish with Visigothic besiegers around 471.124 The fi fteen references to soldiers in all of Sidonius’ works involve primarily barbarians, including Vandals raiding Italy,125 a Hunnic aux- iliary serving with Majorian,126 the Visigothic guard of Theoderic II and a Visigothic soldier who wanted a plough,127 barbarian auxiliaries, presumably Burgundians, billeted on one of Sidonius’ estates at Lyon,128 a Burgundian turbo barbaricus aut militaris . . . improbitas that Sido- nius feared would accuse his cousin Apollinaris of treason,129 and another Hunnic auxiliary, who killed a servant of Eparchius Avitus.130 The few soldiers with any Roman connections were often in barbarian service, such as some Moors who were compelled to accompany the Vandals on their raids in Italy.131 And two of the three named ‘soldiers’ were Romans in Visigothic service: Calminus, whom Sidonius says was compelled by the Visigoths to accompany them on their raids against the Auvergne,132 and Namatius, whom Sidonius describes as a commander of the Visigothic navy.133 But there are hardly any Roman soldiers in Roman military service. One notes only the Breton soldiers of king Riothamus in Armorica,134 and the publicus exercitus recruited by Ecdicius,135 who was
124 Sidon. Ep. 3.3.2–7. 125 Sidon. Carm. 5.389, 601. 126 Sidon. Carm. 5.518–39. 127 Sidon. Ep. 1.2.4, Carm. 7.411-16. 128 Sidon. Carm. 12.6–7. 129 Sidon. Ep. 5.6.1, ‘riotous barbarian or unscrupulous soldier’. 130 Sidon. Carm. 7.251. 131 Sidon. Carm. 5.385–424. 132 Sidon. Ep. 5.12.1 ad arbitrium terroris alieni vos loricae, nos propugnacula tegunt, ‘at the dictate of a foreign menace, you are protected by your armour, we by our fortifi cations’. 133 Sidon. Ep. 8.6.13 asseveravit nuper vos classicum in classe cecinisse atque inter offi cia nunc nautae, modo militis litoribus Oceani curvis inerrare contra Saxonum pandos myoparones . . . 17 de peregrinantibus amicis, quippe quos bellicum militarisque tessera terit . . . adversa formidem, ‘he affrimed that you had recently sounded the trumpet of war in the fl eet, and, in discharging the duties now of a sailor, now of a soldier, were roaming the winding shores of Ocean to oppose the curving vessels of the Saxons . . . I fear the worst about friends abroad, particularly those kept busy by the war-trumpet and orders of the day.‘ To these might be added Sidonius’ friend Vincentius (Ep. 1.7), if he is the Vincentius who was a Visigothic dux and magister militum (Chron. Gall. 511, s.a. 473). 134 Sidon. Ep. 1.7.5, 3.9.2. 135 Sidon. Ep. 3.3.2–7.
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appointed Patrician and Master of Soldiers by the emperor Nepos (474–5) and is the only soldier or offi cer of the Roman army in Gaul mentioned by Sidonius for the period after 455. If Sidonius was living in the midst of a militarised society, he either chose not to emphasise it, or, more likely, found it so commonplace that it was barely worth mention.
9.6 The Boni: Sidonius’ Extended Aristocracy Sidonius regularly referred to this inclusive class of late antique elites as the boni (‘the good people’). They were contrasted with others, the mali (‘the bad people’), who had the wrong values and the wrong associates, and created dissension, discord, and disunity. Sidonius complimented Sagittarius, for example, on having as his admirers ‘men of a good sort’,136 and he observed regarding Menstruanus: ‘However often he gains the friendship of any one of the boni, he obtains favours no less often than he grants them . . . every one of the boni thinks all good things about him’.137 Sidonius was particularly careful to include curiales among the extended class of boni. Thus, regarding one meeting of the curia of Lyon, he wrote to Philagrius: ‘All of the good people communally thought all good things about you . . . you were pleasing to all the good people’,138 and about another meeting, he wrote to Pastor: ‘Nor should you be mistaken about what every good person was thinking.’139 In addition, the election of the archdeacon John as bishop of Chalon was marked, among the townspeople, by ‘the astonishment of the schemers, the mortifi cation of the mali, and the acclamations of the boni’.140 As Sidonius wrote to his young friend Burgundio, who was worried about how his composition would be received: ‘But whoever is so malus that he understands that something is well written but does not praise it, this person the boni see through and do not praise.’141 Ecclesiastics too were included under the umbrella of the boni. To Faustus of Riez, Sidonius wrote: ‘All of the boni rightly celebrate you as most blessed’.142 In the same vein, the contrast made by Gallic secular aristocrats between the boni and the mali was paralleled by the ecclesiasti- cal opposition of ‘the upright’ (boni) to ‘the wicked’ (mali).143 Eucherius of Lyon presumed, for example, that the mali would suffer in the afterlife, ‘where there is the greatest and incontrovert- ible distinction between the boni and the mali’.144 It was but a small step to equate ‘good men’ in a theological sense with ‘good men’ in a social sense. Just as secular aristocrats expected the boni to provide examples of upright behaviour, so did ecclesiastics, as also expressed pithily by Eucherius: ‘If we are captivated by good men, we shall be shunned by wicked men.’145 This divi- sion of society into good and wicked people would have contributed to the sense of belonging and inclusivity that came from being considered to be one of the boni.
136 Sidon. Ep. 2.4.3 bonarum partium viros. 137 Sidon. Ep. 2.6.1–2 quotiens in boni cuiusque adscitur amicitias, non amplius consequatur benefi cii ipse quam tribuat . . . de quo boni quique bona quaeque iudicaverunt. 138 Sidon. Ep. 7.14.1, 9 omnes de te boni in commune senserunt omnia bona . . . bonis omnibus placeas. 139 Sidon. Ep. 5.20.3 non te fefellit, quid boni quique meditarentur. 140 Sidon. Ep. 4.25.4 stupentibus factiosis, erubescentibus malis, acclamantibus bonis. 141 Sidon. Ep. 9.14.8 ceterum quisquis ita malus est, ut intelligat bene scripta nec tamen laudet, hunc boni intellegunt nec tamen laudant. 142 Sidon. Ep. 9.9.16 quocirca merito te beatissimum boni omnes idque supra omnes tua tempestate concelebrabunt. 143 Note Cassian. Coll. 11.10, for the bonos et malos, iustos et iniustos. 144 Eucher. Ep. ad Valer. p. 717 ubi bonorum ac malorum summa et inconfusa discretio est. 145 Eucher. Ep. ad Valer. p. 716 si bonis illicimur, malis extrudamur.
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9.7 Missing Persons Ever since the publication of the fi rst volume of PLRE in 1971, the identifi cation of ‘missing persons’ has been an armchair sport of prosopographers and historians.146 The Sidonius data- base reveals a number of persons who met the criteria for inclusion in some of the standard prosopographical catalogues, but were omitted. Not only are named and known persons often simply missed, but the lack of attention to anonymous individuals and to women also can result in serious underrepresentations. For example, the three volumes of the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire propose to include only elite members of society, that is, ‘all senators, equestrians, comites and holders of honores or dignitates . . . lawyers, doctors, rhetors, grammar- ians and poets’ and ‘literary persons (teachers, philosophers, etc.)’.147 PLRE excludes clergy except insofar as clergy meet the other criteria for inclusion. But PLRE is notorious for the spottiness of its adherence even to its own standards, a famous omission in volume 1 being Augustine, who served as imperial rhetor of Milan before entering the church. The database includes 284 persons cited in volumes 1–2 of PLRE. But there are also an additional 62 individuals characterised as ‘senatorial’ who are omitted from PLRE. Only 10 of these are named (Eutropia, Fidulus, Florentinus, Gelasius, Industrius, Iohannes, Petreius, Salonius, Calminius, Ferreolus), and all of these were cited in one or another list of addenda long ago. That leaves 52 anonymous persons of likely senatorial background omitted from PLRE. These include an anonymous king (the father of the Visigothic queen Ragnahilda), an anonymous patrician (an ancestor of Tonantius Ferreolus), and 2 anonymous prefects; not to mention women of the highest social rank, such as the daughter of the ex-prefect of Gaul Priscus Valerianus, who married the vir inlustris Pragmatius,148 and the wife of the emperor Eparchius Avitus, whose inheritance Sidonius tried to recover after his exile.149 These omis- sions likewise suggest that in order to obtain a more balanced and accurate picture of society, any prosopographical analysis – or any analysis at all, for that matter – needs to take cognisance of the multitude of anonymous persons who spatter the pages of Sidonius’ works.
9.8 More Missing Persons A question that naturally arises when using Sidonius as a prosopographical source that is rep- resentative of his age is just how comprehensive he is. After all, he is not the only source to discuss the inhabitants of the world of late Roman Gaul. How does Sidonius compare to the other sources? A number of known persons are notably missing from his pages.150 For exam- ple, there is no mention of the Master of Soldiers Agrippinus, who turned Narbonne over to the Visigoths in 462.151 Or of Agrippinus’ rival, the Master of Soldiers Aegidius, who fought the Visigoths on the Loire in the early 460s, or of his son Syagrius, who subsequently ruled the so-called Kingdom of Soissons until his defeat by Clovis in 486.152 Or of the mysterious
146 E.g. Mathisen (1987). 147 PLRE 1, dustjacket, vi. 148 Sidon. Ep. 5.10.2. 149 Sidon. Ep. 8.9.2 necdum enim quicquam de hereditate socruali vel in usum tertiae sub pretio medietatis obtinui, ‘I have not yet obtained any part of my mother-in-law’s estate, not even as much as the usufruct of a third of it at the price of a half.’ 150 See also, in this volume, van Waarden, ch. 1. 151 Vassili (1936). 152 Aegidius: Mathisen (1979a), Frye (1992); Syagrius: Schmidt (1928), James (1988).
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‘Count Paul’, or of Childeric, the father of Clovis, who ruled from Cambrai in the north. On the other hand, Fridericus, the brother of Euric, was mentioned, but not named.153 Nor was there any mention of the adventurer Odovacar, who likewise campaigned on the Loire, at Angers, in the late 460s.154 Nor of the mysterious Bilimer, rector Galliarum, who failed to come to the rescue of the emperor Anthemius in 472.155 Nor is there any reference to Aurelianus, perhaps the last praetorian prefect of Gaul in 473, when he received an extant edict from the court of the emperor Glycerius (473–4).156 The omission of the military men, at least, could be consistent with Sidonius’ general avoidance of discussing military matters. In the ecclesiastical world, there is no mention of bishop Marcellus of Die, a protégé of Sidonius’ good friend bishop Mamertus of Vienne, and a major player in episcopal politics from 463 until after 470. One wonders if he might have been involved in the ‘Marcellan conspiracy to seize the diadem’ in 456/7.157 Nor is there any reference to Vivianus, bishop of Saintes in the 460s.158 And one of Sidonius’ most striking omissions is that not a single bishop of Rome appears in his works, not even in his discussions of his visits to Rome, suggesting how relatively inconsequential the bishop of Rome’s infl uence and reputation were in Gaul at this time. In several instances, connections among persons known to Sidonius are found in sources other than Sidonius, and can be used to evaluate just how well connected Sidonius really was in the ecclesiastical world. For example, one might look at the list of bishops present at the Coun- cil of Arles c. 470, which Sidonius did not attend, although, given that no bishop was known to have been present from Aquitania or Novempopulana, that might be no surprise. Of the thirty named bishops, all of whom surely knew each other, eighteen come from known sees.159 Twelve of these, or 40%, including all fi ve metropolitans, corresponded with Sidonius. Two more were mentioned by Sidonius, raising the percentage cited to nearly 50%. Of the sixteen left unmentioned by Sidonius, eleven are from unknown sees, suggesting they were a rather insigifi cant bunch. On the other hand, the only bishops of note not mentioned by Sidonius are Veranus of Vence, the son of Eucherius of Lyon, and, once again, Marcellus of Die. On this basis, then, Sidonius would appear to have been, or become, well integrated into the Gallic episcopal establishment. In addition, of the bishops attending the Council of Vannes, datable only to c. 461/491, Sidonius corresponded with the two senior bishops, Perpetuus of Tours and Nonnechius of Nantes, but not with the other four, none of whose sees are known.160 Other sources, too, demonstrate that persons Sidonius knew also knew each other, and that the late fi fth-century Gallo-Roman aristocratic world was exceptionally well intercon- nected. For example, Constantius of Lyon dedicated his Vita Germani Autissiodorensis to bishop Censurius of Auxerre.161 Mamertus Claudianus of Vienne authored an extant letter to the
153 Sidon. Carm. 7.435, 519; killed fi ghting Aegidius c. 464. 154 McCormick (1977), MacBain (1983), Moorhead (1984). 155 Paul. Diac. Hist. Rom. 15.4; PLRE 2, 230. 156 Glycerius, Edict ‘Supernae maiestatis’ (29 April 473): Hänel (1857) 260 and PL 56.896–7;; also Greg. Tur. Glor. mart. 77 Aureliani autem patricii. 157 Hilarus, Ep. ‘Qualiter contra sedis’: MGH Ep. 3.28–9; see Dolbeau (1983). Sidon. Ep. 1.11.6 de capessendo diade- mate coniuratio Marcellana; see Mathisen (1979a); also below n. 175, and van Waarden in this volume, ch. 1, sect. 4.1.4 with n. 57. 158 Vita Viviani: MGH SRM 3.92–100; see Lot (1929). 159 Munier (1963) 159. 160 Sidon. Ep. 7.9, 4.18.4, 8.13. 161 Vita s. Germani episcopi Autessiodorensis, ed. Borius (1965).
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rhetorician Sapaudus.162 And Paulinus, the son of Pontius Leontius of Bordeaux, was the author of an extant letter to Faustus of Riez, and the recipient of one from Faustus.163 Faustus also dedicated his De gratia to bishop Leontius of Arles.164 In the north, Lupus of Troyes and Euphronius of Autun jointly authored a letter on bigamous clerics.165 In addition, bishop Aus- picius of Toul sent a metrical letter to the Frankish Count Arbogast of Trier,166 and Agroecius, later bishop of Sens, dedicated his De orthographia to bishop Eucherius of Lyon, both examples well illustrating the degree to which bishops remained part of the classical literary tradition.167 Another kind of interconnection among these individuals turns up on a striking piece of material culture. In 1853, two silver dishes, now in the National Museum in Warsaw, were found in Toulouse, the capital of the Visigothic kingdom of Aquitania, during construction excavations.168 Embedded in the centre of one dish is a two-solidus gold medallion of the emperor Theodosius II (402–50) (Fig. 2.1). The bearded visage suggests a date in the mid
Figure 2.1 The ‘Thaumastus Disk’ from Toulouse, with a double solidus of Theodosius II in the centre and the inscription THAUMASTUS AGRECIO {N.B. copyright}
162 Epistula ad Sapaudum, in Engelbrecht’s 1885 edition of Claudianus Mamertus, CSEL 11, 203–6. 163 Sidon. Ep. 8.12.5; Paul. Burd. Ep. ‘Scribere vobis’ (CSEL 21, 181–3; MGH AA 8, 275–6); Faust. Reien. Ep. ‘Admiranda mihi’ (CSEL 21, 183–95; MGH AA 8, 276–82). 164 Sidon. Ep. 6.3, 7.6.10; Faust. Reien. Ep. ‘Quod pro sollicitudine’ = De gratia, prol. (CSEL 21, 3–4). 165 Ep. ‘Commonitorium quod’: Munier (1963) 140-1. 166 MGH Ep. 3, 135–7. 167 Agroecius: Ep. 7.5, 7.9.6; Eucherius: Carm. 16.115, Ep. 4.3.7. See Agroecius, De orthographia (‘On Orthography’), praef.: H. Keil, Grammatici Latini 7, 113–14: Domino Eucherio episcopo Agroecius. Libellum Capri de orthographia misisti mihi. . . huic ergo Capri libello . . . quaedam adicienda subieci . . . ad te . . . hoc opusculum mittitur, ‘Agroecius to Lord Bishop Eucherius. You sent me the book On Orthography by Caper . . . I attach some additions to this book by Caper . . . this little work is sent to you’. 168 Baratte (2012); cf. Baratte (1993) 212; also Zelazowski and Zukowski (2005).
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430s. This is just the kind of present that circulated among the late Roman aristocracy: emper- ors bestowed them on favoured subordinates, and clients presented them to patrons, as attested by the engraved silver basin that Sidonius’ friend Evodius offered to the Visigothic queen Ragnahilda in the 460s.169 Engraved around the coin, moreover, are the words Thaumastus Agrecio, that is, ‘Thaumastus to Agroecius’. Both of these are names that turn up elsewhere in late Roman Gaul. The only other occurrences of the name Thaumastus are in Sidonius’ own family, his uncle and cousin. The cousin would have been too young c. the 430s, but the uncle was up to his neck in politics. In 468 he was one of three Gallic legates, along with Tonantius Ferreolus and Petronius, sent to Rome to accuse the Gallic prefect Arvandus of treason.170 Now, in Sidonius’ Propempticon ad libellum (Carm. 24), where he describes the journey of his book of poetry from Clermont to Narbonne, Thaumastus’ villa Tres Villae is the last stop before Narbonne.171 This would put Thaumastus just down the road from Toulouse, where the plate was found. So Sidonius’ uncle would be a good candidate for the Thaumastus who bestowed the plate. But what about Agroecius? Late Roman Gaul was fl ush with distinguished Agroecii, such as the primicerius notariorum of the usurper Jovinus. But he was executed in 413.172 Another possibility would be the rhetor just mentioned, later bishop of Sens, Agroecius. But Sens is quite a way from Narbonne, the home of Thaumastus, and Toulouse. Rather closer is yet another Agroecius. On 29 November 445, bishop Rusticus of Narbonne dedicated a recon- structed cathedral that was commemorated in a lengthy inscription placed on the lintel of the entrance.173 The work had been supported by the praetorian prefect of Gaul Marcellus, who had contributed 600 solidi for the workmen and a like amount for materials and additional expenses.174 There then follows a list of other contributors, the amounts for the last four of whom, Oresius, Agroecius, Deconia, and Salutius, are fragmentary or have broken off. Oresius donated at least 200 solidi, and if, as seems likely, the I that follows Agroecius stands for idem, he too would have provided at least this much. Thus, we have in Narbonne a very infl uential and wealthy Agroecius at the approximate time that a Thaumastus made his gift of the plate. If these identifi cations are correct, we have a connection between Sidonius’ politically active uncle Thaumastus and an aristocratic circle of Narbonne. And one wonders whether
169 Sidon. Ep. 4.8.5 istoque cultu expolitam reginae Ragnahildae disponis offerre, ‘and you plan to offer [the basin] embel- lished with this decoration to Queen Ragnahilda’. 170 Sidon. Ep. 1.7.4. 171 Sidon. Carm. 24 v. 84. 172 Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.9 hisdem diebus praefectus tyrannorum Decimus Rusticus, Agroetius ex primicerio notariorum Iovini multique nobiles apud Arvernos capti a ducibus Honorianis et crudeliter interempti sunt, ‘in these same days the prefect of the tyrants, Decimus Rusticus, Agroecius, who had been senior notary of Jovinus, and many nobles in Clermont were arrested by Honorius’ commanders and cruelly put to death’. 173 Hirschfeld, Inscriptiones Galliae Narbonensis p. 619 = CIL 12.5336, = ILCV 1806 (445) = Le Blant 617: +D(e)o et Chr(is)to miserante lim(en) hoc c(ol)l(o)k(a)t(um) e(st) / anno IV c(on)s(ule) Valentiniano Aug(usto) VI, III k(a)l(endas) D(ecembres), XVIIII anno ep(iscopa)tus Rusti[ci. . .] / Rusticus ep(iscopu)s Bonosi fi lius / ep(iscop)i Aratoris de sorore nepus / ep(iscop)i Veneri soci(us) in monasterio / conpr(es)b(yter) eccle(siae) Massiliens(is) / anno xv ep(iscopa)tus su(i) d(ie) ann(i) v iii id(us) Oct(o)b(res) / c(urantibus) Vrso pr(es)b(ytero) Hermete diaco(no) et eor(um) seq(uen)tib(us) / coep(it) depon(ere) pariet(es) eccl(esiae) dud(um) exustae / xxxvii d(ie) quad(rata) in fundam(ento) poni coepi(t) / anno ii vii Id(us) Oct(o)b(res) absid(em) p(er)f(ecit) Montanus subd(iaconus) / Marcellus Gall(iarum) pr(a)ef(ectus) d(e)i cultor prece / exegit ep(iscopu)m hoc on(u)s suscip(ere) impendia / necessar(ia) repromittens quae per / bienn(ium) administ(rationis) / suae pr(a)ebu(it) artifi (ci)b(us) / merced(em) sol(idos) DC / ad oper(a) et ceter(a) sol(idos) id(em) / hinc obla(tiones) s(an)c(t)i / ep(iscop)i Veneri sol(idos) C[. . .] / ep(iscop)i Dynami L[. . .] / Oresi CC[. . .] / Agroeci i[dem . . .] / et Deconia[ni . . .] / Saluti [. . .]. 174 Marrou (1970) (cf. PLRE 2, 712) perpetuated an error that goes back to the original 1888 publication in CIL: the letters ID are not some weird notation for 1500 (mille quingentos?), but merely an abbreviation for idem, that is, ‘the same amount’.
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the prefect Marcellus – not to mention Sidonius’ uncle – was in any way connected with what Sidonius called ‘the Marcellan conspiracy to seize the diadem’ that popped up in Gaul during the interregnum after the fall of Avitus in 456/7.175 Aside from bishop Marcellus of Die, there are no other Marcelluses of any note attested in Gaul at this time.
9.9 Shared Correspondents Another kind of interconnection that can be used to check Sidonius’ coverage is to look at how it compares with that of two other more-or-less contemporary Gallic epistolographers: Ruricius, bishop of Limoges c. 485–510, whose surviving collection includes 83 letters, and Avitus, bishop of Vienne c. 490–518, whose collection includes 96 letters.176 Ruricius had close personal ties to Sidonius: no surprise given that Ruricius, distantly related to the Anician family of Rome, was married to Hiberia, a native of Clermont and daughter of Ommatius, himself a scion of a patrician family. Sidonius and Ruricius shared no fewer than 6 letters, 3 from each of them, in addition to 2 poems from Sidonius. Furthermore, 11 other persons received extant letters from both of them, 18 from Sidonius, and 22 from Ruricius (Table 2.2).177 Thus, of Sidonius’ 147 letters, 21 (14%) were addressed to Ruricius and their shared correspondents, whereas 25 (30%) of Ruricius’ 83 letters were to Sidonius or shared correspondents. Strikingly, two of these shared correspondents, Faustus and Graecus, authored surviving correspondence of their own to Ruricius. And equally noteworthy, of the 18 letters in Ruricius’ carefully constructed fi rst book, 9, or 50%, were addressed to members of Sidonius’ literary circle. Given that Sidonius was much better connected than Ruricius, his lesser percentage of overlap, albeit still signifi cant, is unsurprising, whereas the much larger degree of overlap for Ruricius’ letters, especially in Book 1, suggests that the younger man was modelling himself on his much more distinguished friend. On the other hand, Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus, who would have been a coeval of Sidonius’ son Apollinaris, is something of a mystery. Even though other young people, including Gelasius, Burgundio, and Apollinaris himself, received extant letters from Sidonius, Avitus did not. In fact, neither he, nor his father Hesychius, a comes of Sidonius’ father-in-law Eparchius Avitus and later bishop of Vienne, nor any members of his immediate family were even mentioned.178 Indeed, Sidonius and Avitus shared only a single correspondent, Apollinaris.179 One wonders whether
175 Sidon. Ep. 1.11.6, to Montius: cumque de capessendo diademate coniuratio Marcelliana coqueretur. Lütjohann (1887) reads Marcelliana with MS C, as opposed to Marcellana in MSS LMTFP, and is followed by Mohr (1895). Sirmond (1652), Notae 22, suggested a connection with Marcelliani patricii, Aetii quondam familiaris, a suggestion reprised in Mommsen’s index to Lütjohann’s MGH edition, p. 430: ‘Marcellinus, coniuratio Marcellini vel Marcelliniana (alterum utrum enim requiritur pro tradito vocabulo Marcellana)’, followed by Anderson (1936) 1.400: ‘Marcel- liniana vel Marcellini requiri admonet Mommsen, recte ut videtur, nisi Marcellina scribas: Marcell(i)ana codd’. Stevens (1933) 41 n. 4 dismisses the reading Marcellana as a ‘non-existent form’ when it is in fact Sidonius’ standard way of making adjectives from this kind of name, cf. Lucullanus (Carm. 2.511) and Sullano (Ep. 3.13.7), and in the same letter, Camillano (Ep. 1.11.15). See Mathisen (1979a) 598–603, (1985), and (1991c). See also above, n. 157. 176 Ruric. Ep.: Engelbrecht (1891), Krusch (1887), Demeulenaere (1985); see also Mathisen (1999a). Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus of Vienne, Carmina, Epistulae, and Sermones: R. Peiper ed., MGH AA 6.2 (Berlin, 1883); see also Shanzer and Wood (2002). A third epistolographer with Gallic connections, Ennodius, bishop of Pavia c. 514–21, is rather too late to have had any overlap with Sidonius. 177 Including Graecus of Marseille, who received fi ve letters from Sidonius and authored an extant letter to Ruricius. 178 PLRE 2, 554–56 (Hesychius 11). 179 Sidon. Ep. 3.13, Alc. Avit. Ep. 43, 51.
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Table 2.2 Overlap of correspondents in the letter collections of Sidonius and Ruricius of Limoges Letters/Poems Name Identity of Sidonius Letters of Ruricius Sidonius/ Bishop of Clermont/ Carm. 10–11, Ep. 4.16, Ep. 1.8, 1.9, 1.16 Ruricius Bishop of Limoges 5.15, 8.10 Agricola Son of emperor Ep. 1.2, 2.12 Ep. 2.32, mention in Eparchius Avitus, brother 2.23.6 of Ecdicius and Papianilla Apollinaris Son of Sidonius, later Ep. 3.13, mention in Ep. 2.26, 2.27, 2.41 bishop of Clermont 4.12.1, 5.10.4, 5.11.3, 8.6.12, 9.1.5 Aprunculus Bishop of Langres, later Ep. 9.10 Ep. 2.49 Sidonius’ succes sor at Clermont Censurius Bishop of Auxerre, Ep. 6.10 Ep. 2.51 dedicatee of Constantius’ Vita Germani Elaphius Vir magnifi cus with a Ep. 4.15 Ep. 2.7 castellum at Rodez; later a high offi cial in the Visigoth kingdom Faustus Bishop of Riez Ep. 9.3, 9.9, mentions Ep. 1.1, 1.2 [to in Carm. 16.68; Ep. Faustus]; Faustus, Ep. 7.6.10 ‘Licet per’, ‘Propitia divinitate’, ‘Gratias domino’, ‘Tanta mihi’, ‘Gratias ad vos’ [to Ruricius] Graecus Bishop of Marseille Ep. 6.8, 7.2, 7.7, 7.10, Graecus, Ep. ‘Gratias 9.4, mention in 7.6.10 domino’ [to Ruricius], Faustus, Ep. ‘Honoratus offi cio’ [to Graecus] Hesperius Littérateur, later rhetor Ep. 2.10, mention in Ep. 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 4.22.1 Leontius Bishop of Arles Ep. 6.3, mention in Mention in Ep. 1.15 7.6.10 Lupus Rhetor of Périgueux Ep. 8.11 Ep. 1.10 Namatius From Oléron, admiral Ep. 8.6 Ep. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, of Euric, married to 2.5, 2.62 Ceraunia Rusticus Illustrious neighbour Ep. 2.11, mention in Ep. 2.20, 2.54 of Pontius Leontius of Carm. 35 (Ep. 8.11.3) Bordeaux 35–6 Volusianus Property at Bayeux, later Ep. 7.17 Ep. 2.65 bishop of Tours
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Avitus’ family was on the ‘other side’ of any of the aristocratic squabbles in which Sidonius became involved, such as the conspiracy to turn Vaison over to the imperial government.
10 Sidonius’ Family So much, then, for some general observations regarding Sidonius’ people. One might now consider some prosopographical matters involving Sidonius’ own family. A great deal of study has already focused on Sidonius’ family relationships, so for someone as well known and much studied, it is rather remarkable that there remain so many uncertainties about his family connections,180 especially given that a bit of prosopographical detective work, especially as it involves anonymous persons, can shed further light on some of the ambiguities.
10.1 Sidonius’ Relationship with Avitus of Vienne In spite of Sidonius’ failure to mention Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus, bishop of Vienne c. 490–518, there was clearly a family connection between them, as is immediately suggested by the name of Avitus’ brother, Apollinaris, bishop of Valence.181 But many modern commentators remain uncertain about the nature of this relationship. PLRE, for example, merely notes: ‘He was a rel- ative of Apollinaris [the son of Sidonius] and therefore of Sidonius Apollinaris.’ Although Shan- zer and Wood say nothing about the nature of the relationship save to mention an ‘unproven’ suggestion by Mathisen ‘that Avitus’ mother, Audentia, was Sidonius’ sister’, they then accept this relation as a given in their stemma. 182 On the other hand, Harries has nothing at all to say about Sidonius’ younger relatives, not even his daughters. Most recently, Malaspina and Reydellet state merely that Sidonius was ‘probablement oncle maternel d’Alcimus Ecdicius’.183 The passage that PLRE had in mind is Avitus’ Ep. 52 to Apollinaris the son, in which he speaks of ‘the divine pity, which has placed in your hands the hope of continuing our family line and conceded indeed that we both be the fathers of our future posterity with you alone as the begetter’.184 Now, given their similar ages, if Avitus and Apollinaris were so closely connected that only Apollinaris could provide offspring to continue the family line, one could suggest that they were cousins, with the same grandparents. This conclusion is also suggested by a poem to his sister Fuscina, in which Avitus describes their family background:
And I will not now review for you our grandfathers and great-grandfathers, whom a glorious life rendered worthy to be priests. Look upon your father, admitted to the sacred ministry as a bishop. And when your father and maternal uncle (avunculus), of wide-ranging importance, after holding high secular offi ce, gain your admiration by taking charge of the people.185
180 E.g. PLRE 2, 1317–20; also Günther (1997), Mathisen (1981a, 2003b), Mascoli (2003a, 2010). 181 PLRE 2, 115 (Apollinaris 5); Vita Apoll. Valent. (MGH SRM 3, 196–209). 182 PLRE 2, 195–6, (Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus 4); see Shanzer and Wood (2002) 5, 439, citing Mathisen (1981a), and Harries (1994). Note Alc. Avit. Carm. 6.19 edidit ut quartam genetrix Audentia prolem, ‘when your mother Audentia had given birth to her fourth child’, and PLRE 2, 185 (Audentia 1) (with no mention of the family of Sidonius). 183 Malaspina and Reydellet (2016) viii, citing Mathisen (1981a); cf. Heinzelmann (1982) 568, but Stroheker (1948) 154 merely notes that ‘Avitus war mit den Apollinares verwandt.’ 184 Alc. Avit. Ep. 52, to Apollinaris: tribuat divina miseratio, quae spem reparandae prosapiae in personae vestrae honore constituit, et secuturae posteritatis nostrae te uno genitore etiam nos patres esse concessit. 185 Alc. Avit. Carm. 6.655–9, to Fuscina: non et avos tibimet iam nunc proavosque retexam, / vita sacerdotes quos reddidit inclita dignos: / pontifi cem sacris adsumptum respice patrem. / cumque tibi genitor vel avunculus undique magni / post fasces placeant populorum sumere fascem.
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Now, as already seen, the genitor and pater who became a sacerdos and pontifex after holding a secular offi ce was Hesychius, an ex-comes who preceded Avitus as bishop of Vienne. But who was the avunculus who likewise held a high secular offi ce, became a bishop, and, according to Avitus’ letter to Apollinaris, would have been a relative of both Avitus and Apollinaris? By far the best, if not the only, candidate is Sidonius himself. The argument would seem to be clinched by another letter of Avitus to Apollinaris where Avitus observes: ‘The illustrious work of our common Sollius [i.e. Sidonius] pertains no less to my glory than to yours.’186 And if Sidonius was Avitus’ uncle, it would mean that Avitus’ mother, Audentia, must have been Sidonius’ sister.187
10.2 The Name of Sidonius’ Father With this addition to Sidonius’ stemma, one now can speculate on the name of Sidonius’ anonymous father. The pattern of naming children after grandparents in Late Antiquity is well known. Given that one of the grandchildren of Sidonius’ father, Sidonius’ daughter, was named Alcima, and that another, Avitus of Vienne, was named Alcimus, one could at least suggest that Sidonius’ father’s name was also Alcimus.188
10.3 Sidonius’ Forebears We might now turn to Sidonius’ more distant forebears. In a letter to Philomathius, Sido- nius describes himself as one ‘for whom his father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great- grandfather gleamed in urban and praetorian prefectures, and in military and palatine masterships’.189 Now, Anderson, in his Loeb of Sidonius, asserts: ‘There is no other evi- dence that the great-grandfather of Sidonius held any such public offi ce’, but, like anything else in Sidonius, his statement here is evidence enough.190 Sidonius proavus is omitted from the stemma of Sidonius’ family in PLRE 2, which commences with Sidonius’ grandfather Apollinaris,191 although PLRE 1 nonetheless includes him as Anonymus #35, commenting that he ‘held high offi ce, but it is not clear which’.192 But perhaps we can do a little better than that by a process of elimination. Sidonius’ father, grandfather, and father-in-law had been praefecti praetorio. His father-in-law had also been magister militum. So that leaves for the proavus the offi ce of praefectus urbi and a palatine magistracy, which could have been either head of one of the court secretarial bureaux, such as magister epistularum, or, more likely for someone of this rank, the post of magister offi ciorum.193 Sidonius proavus must have held at least one of these, and indeed may have held them both.
186 Alc. Avit. Ep. 51 non minus ad meam quam vestram gloriam pervenit communis Sollii opus illustre. 187 As Mathisen (1981a), followed by Mascoli (2010) 18, 21–2. 188 Cf. Sidon. Ep. 5.10.3 to Sapaudus: fortitudo Alcimi, ‘Alcimus’ strength’; also Ep. 8.11.2 to Lupus: hi Paulinum, illi Alcimum non requirunt, ‘these do not feel the loss of Paulinus or those of Alcimus’; the reference presumably is to Latinus Alcimus Alethius, rhetor of Bordeaux; see Mathisen (1981a) 100–1, 109; Anderson (1965) 2.422, suggests that Sidonius’ father was named Apollinaris. 189 Sidon. Ep. 1.3.1 cui pater socer avus proavus praefecturiis urbanis praetorianisque magisteriis palatinis militaribusque micuerunt. 190 Anderson (1936) 1.346 n.1. 191 See Mascoli (2002), who, however, omits discussion of Apollinaris’ forebears. On Sidonius’ father and grandfa- ther, see van Waarden in this volume, ch. 1, sect. 4.1.1. 192 PLRE 1, 1011; cf. PLRE 2, 115 (Apollinaris 6): ‘His ancestors had occupied the highest offi ces.’ 193 As suggested by Mathisen (1986).
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And there is more. In a letter to his nephew Secundus regarding restoring the grave of his grandfather, Sidonius wrote:194 ‘Belatedly, following up on my father and paternal uncles, I, a not unworthy grandson, dedicate this epitaph to my grandfather . . . Here lies the prefect Apollinaris . . . this is your primary glory, to precede in hope those whom you equal in rank, to surpass in merits there [in the next world] these ancestors (parentes) who here [in this world] are your equals in offi ces.’ So here not only Sidonius’ proavus but other forebears as well are said to have held high-ranking offi ces, perhaps around the 380s and before. Moreover, Sidonius seems to be implying that the paternal uncles, like his father, were deceased, and thus no longer able to perform their familial duty, as also indicated by his observation that as heirs of the third and fourth degrees, this responsibility had now devolved upon himself and Secundus.195
10.4 Uncles or Cousins? The epitaph for Sidonius’ grandfather raises the question of just who these paternal uncles were. Three individuals, Apollinaris, Simplicius, and Thaumastus, have traditionally been identi- fi ed as Sidonius’ paternal uncles.196 Now, these three certainly do appear to have been brothers.197 But, although he did refer to a ‘bond of relationship’ with Apollinaris, in the course of his many letters and references to these three Sidonius never, in fact, referred to any of them as uncles; as fratres, sodales, or amici, yes, but never as out-and-out uncles.198 The closest that he came was in a reference in Carmen 24 to the elder Thaumastus (who had a son of the same name) as Sidonius’ prope patruum, that is, ‘nearly’ a patruus, but defi nitely not a fully fl edged patruus.199 What does that mean? How can one be ‘nearly’ a paternal uncle? Now, Sidonius just had referred to the younger Thaumastus, who was of his own generation, as ‘my companion and colleague and brother (frater) by degree of relationship’.200 Because the younger Thaumastus was not Sidonius’ germanus, or nat- ural brother, he would have been either a frater patruelis or a frater consobrinus, a paternal or maternal cousin. Indeed, Sidonius elsewhere used this kind of language for designating cousins, as when he wrote to Probus regarding the latter’s wife Eulalia: ‘My sister (soror) is your wife’, and specifi cally
194 Sidon. Ep. 3.12 to Secundus, containing the epitaph (Carm. 28): Serum post patruos patremque carmen / haud indig- nus avo nepos dicavi . . . praefectus iacet hic Apollinaris, / post praetoria recta Galliarum . . . hoc primum est decus . . . spe praecedere quos honore iungas, / quique hic sunt titulis pares parentes, / hos illic meritis supervenire. 195 Sidon. Ep. 3.12.6 heres tertius quartusque dependimus. Anderson (1965) 2.43 even adds non-existent words to this effect to his translation: ‘Now that my father and uncles are no more’. 196 Stroheker (1948) 145, 219, 223–4; Heinzelmann (1982) 556, 696, 702; PLRE 2, 113–14, 1015, 1062; and Mathisen (2013a) 243–5. Note also Chaix de Lavarène (1866) 162: Thaumastus merely as ‘son parent’; van Waarden (2010) 238: as brothers of Sidonius’ father; and Mascoli (2010) 47–8, where for ‘Sulpicio e Apollinare’ read ‘Simplicio e Apol- linare’. Stevens (1933) 151, however, suggests that Apollinaris was a cousin. 197 E.g. Sidon. Ep. 5.6.1 to Apollinaris: Thaumastum, germanum tuum . . . quem pro iure . . . sanguinis . . . complector, ‘your brother Thaumastus, whom I cherish by virtue of our kinship’; Ep. 5.7.1 to Thaumastus: germani tui, ‘your brother’, referring to Apollinaris. Moreover, because Simplicius lived with Apollinaris, PLRE calls them brothers, arguing that the only other joint letter in Sidonius (Ep. 5.21) was to two brothers. In addition, Sidonus linked the two of them in a letter to Fonteius of Vaison: dominis animae meae, Simplicio et Apollinari, ‘the two veritable possessors of my heart, Simplicius and Apollinaris’ (Ep. 7.4.4), and in 474 he wrote to Thaumastus in hopes that the quieti fratrum commu- nium, ‘the peace of our common brothers’, that is Apollinaris and Simplicius, would not be disturbed (Ep. 5.7.7). 198 Sidon. Ep. 2.9.3 vinculum propinquitatis. 199 Sidon. Carm. 24.88–9 si fors senior tibi invenitur, / hunc pronus prope patruum saluta, that is, ‘if, perhaps, the elder [Thaumastus] is found, bent low salute him as nearly my uncle’. PLRE 2, 1015, cites this as evidence that he was ‘paternal uncle of Sidonius’. But the prope must go with patruum, not with pronus: it customarily precedes the word it modifi es, and ‘nearly bent low’ would not only be awkward but also suggest just the opposite of what Sidonius meant. 200 Sidon. Carm. 24.86–7 mihi sodalis / et collega simul graduque frater.
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distinguished their ‘cousinly (patruelis) rather than brotherly fraternitas’.201 In this case, then, soror was shorthand for soror patruelis, ‘paternal cousin’, and Eulalia would have been the daughter of either a brother or sister of Sidonius’ father, perhaps more likely a brother, given Sidonius’ men- tion of paternal uncles. Thaumastus, moreover, could only be a cousin of Sidonius if his father, who was not quite Sidonius’ patruus, was the husband of Sidonius’ aunt. And she must have been a paternal aunt, an amita, rather than a maternal aunt, or matertera, for had she been a maternal aunt, Thaumastus would have been prope avunculus, that is, ‘nearly a maternal uncle’. But what does that then say about Simplicius and Apollinaris? Surely the name Apollinaris suggests a closer relationship to Sidonius’ family than a mere marital connection. The solution is probably to be found in past confusion between the elder and younger Thaumastus. If the Thaumastus who appears in Sidonius’ letters is the younger Thaumastus, not the elder one, as is usually assumed, then he would have been the brother of Apollinaris and Simplicius, and all of them would have been Sidonius’ paternal cousins, not his uncles, with Apollinaris, typically, named after his and Sidonius’ grandfather.202 And the evidence seems to bear this out. For example, Sidonius addressed Apollinaris as frater, and given that he was not Sidonius’ germanus, this would appear to be Sidonius’ customary short- hand for frater patruelis.203 And Sidonius’ references to children still under Simplicius’ ‘paternal authority’, and to a daughter who just had married, would be more appropriate for a cousin of the same age as he than for an elderly uncle. Likewise, in 474 Sidonius spoke of embracing the younger Thaumastus ‘by reverent familiarity of age’, indicating, again, that he and Thaumastus were of the same generation.204 Thus, only the elder Thaumastus, who lived at Tres Villae north of Narbonne, was of Sidonius’ father’s generation. By the later 460s, his sons, Thaumastus, Apol- linaris, and Simplicius, lived in the Rhône valley, Thaumastus at Vienne, close to Sidonius’ sister Audentia, and Simplicius and Apollinaris at Vaison, and, like Eulalia, were the paternal cousins and coevals of Sidonius.205 And this would mean that Sidonius’ patruelis Eulalia would likewise have been either a sister or a cousin of these three. Meanwhile, Sidonius also describes himself as the paternal uncle of a certain Secundus, an inhabitant of Lyon and the great-grandson of Sidonius’ grandfather Apollinaris.206 This means that Secundus was the son of a male sibling of Sidonius, the only known candidate being Sidonius’ barely mentioned brother.207
10.5 Sidonius’ Mother and Sisters One can now return to Sidonius’ immediate family, and in particular tohis mother and sisters. Sidonius only mentions his mother twice. In a letter to Avitus of Cottion, who, while Sidonius was bishop, had bestowed the estate of Cuticiacum on the church of Clermont, Sidonius recalled:
201 Sidon. Ep. 4.1.1 Soror mihi quae uxor tibi . . . patruelis non germana fraternitas; Carm. 24.95 Eulaliae meae, ‘my Eulalia’. 202 As in the prosopographical citations above. 203 Sidon. Ep. 5.3.1 ergone . . . frater. 204 Sidon. Ep. 5.4.2 ad superbiam fi liorum . . . pro patria auctoritate, ‘against the uppishness of your children . . . in view of your paternal authority’; Ep. 3.11.1–2 patremfamilias . . . vel sic electus gener vel educta sic fi lia, ‘head of the family . . . the choice of a son-in-law and the upbringing of your daughter’. Sidon. Ep. 5.6.1 quem pro . . . aetatis reverenda familiaritate complector. 205 As, indeed, proposed by Mathisen (1979c) 716, stemma. 206 Sidon. Ep. 3.12.1–3 Avi mei, proavi tui . . . patruo tuo, ‘My grandfather and your great-grandfather . . . your paternal uncle’. 207 Mentioned only once by Sidonius, Carm. 16.71–7; he was in the company of Faustus of Riez: germani . . . servatus tecum . . . pudor, ‘the virtue of my brother preserved with your help’.
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‘Our mothers were connected by the closest blood relationship.’208 Thus, at the time of his mar- riage to Papianilla in the early 450s, Sidonius was already related to the Aviti of Clermont, as also seen in his recollection of spending much of his youth with Avitus in the Auvergne: ‘We had the same teachers, were taught the same skills, enjoyed the same gameplaying.’209 If Sidonius did in fact essentially grow up in Clermont, it may be that his father died not long after his prefecture and that Sidonius then resided with his mother. Moreover, given his relationship with the Aviti, Sidonius would perforce have been related to his wife Papianilla. Such a marriage would have been eminently sensible: it would have been diffi cult for Sidonius to fi nd a marriage partner with a family background as exalted as hers, and such a marriage would also have allowed family prop- erty to be consolidated. Then, in a letter to Papianilla herself, Sidonius sent greetings from one of their daughters: ‘Roscia, our shared concern, salutes you; she is in the most indulgent care of her grandmother and aunts, which occurs rarely when raising grandchildren [or nieces].’210 PLRE 2 does have an entry for the grandmother, suggesting: ‘She was the mother either of Sidonius Apollinaris or of his wife Papianilla.’211 The aunts, however, have no entry of their own in PLRE 2,212 although in the fasti, Sidonius has sisters listed with a question mark and Sidonius’ own entry in PLRE, citing this same letter, notes that he had ‘possibly also sisters’, but suggesting ‘these could be Papianilla’s sisters’. But Sidonius surely knew Latin well enough to know that amitae were paternal sisters not maternal ones, who would be materterae.213 And if the aunts were maternal aunts, then the grandmother was surely Sidonius’ mother, not Papianilla’s. In addi- tion, Sidonius was present with Roscia, the avia, and the amitae when he wrote the letter, and away from Papianilla, who would have been at home in Clermont. Sidonius would thus, again, have been visiting his own family in Lyon, rather than visiting Papianilla’s mother, who had her own estate in Clermont.214 It would seem ipso facto more likely that he wrote the letter when he was away in Lyon rather than just a few miles down the road in Clermont. So the question mark can be removed from the sisters, and the avia must be Sidonius’ own mother and the wife of Sidonius’ father.215 And, as just seen, one of these amitae could have been Audentia, the wife of Hesychius and mother of Avitus of Vienne.
10.6 The Children of Ecdicius Finally, the children of Ecdicius: PLRE 2 cites no children for Ecdicius, the son of the emperor Eparchius Avitus, brother of Papianilla, and brother-in-law of Sidonius. But in the same letter to Papianilla, Sidonius mentions, again, his hope for family honours, saying: ‘It is my ardent wish that our children and his may live in equal harmony; and I pray in our common name that just as we
208 Sidon. Ep. 3.1.1 matribus nostris summa sanguinis iuncti necessitudo; note Harries (1994) 31 (without citing any evidence): ‘His mother was closely related to the Aviti of Clermont, being sister to the mother of the younger Avitus.’ 209 Sidon. Ep. 3.1.1 isdem . . . magistris usi, artibus instituti lusibus otiati. 210 Sidon. Ep. 5.16.5 Roscia te salutat, cura communis: quae in aviae amitarumque indulgentissimo sinu, quod raro nepotibus contingit alendis, using the conjecture of Wilamowitz for the manuscript reading alienis; Günther (1997) suggests adding a nisi to retain the alienis, that is, ‘which happens rarely for the grandchildren of others’. 211 PLRE 2, 1239 (Anonyma 17). 212 Whereas PLRE 2, 1239, does list Anonymae 13, the sisters of Avitus 1 of Cottion. 213 Cf. Sidon. Ep. 4.21.4 sed et matertera tua hinc, ‘your aunt is also from here’. 214 Papianilla’s mother apparently lived until the mid-470s, when Sidonius attempted to gain possession of some of her property (Sidon. Ep. 8.9.2). 215 PLRE 2, 1220 (Anonymus 6).
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of this generation were born into praefectorian families, and have been enabled by divine favour to elevate them to patrician rank, so they in their turn may exalt the patrician to the consular dignity.’216 Not only, therefore, did Ecdicius have children, but at least one of them was male. And they too can be added both to the stemma of Sidonius’ family and to the list of Anonymi in PLRE.
10.7 The Date of Sidonius’ Death The exact date of Sidonius’ death remains in doubt even though his epitaph has survived (Fig. 2.2), as fi rst attested in a marginal note on the last page of the Madrid manuscript of Sidonius’ works.217 Its authenticity was sometimes doubted, but in 1991 a fragment of the epitaph was discovered at Clermont, testifying to its legitimacy.218 It was written in the same metre, pha- laecian hendecasyllables, as that used by Sidonius for the epitaphs of his grandfather, Philomathia, and Mamertus Claudianus, thus placing it fi rmly in the context of Sidonius’ literary circle.219
Figure 2.2 The Sidonius epitaph from Madrid 9448 (©Biblioteca Nacional de España)
216 Sidon. Ep. 5.16.4 quam parem nostris suisque liberis in posterum exopto, votis in cummune deposcens, ut sicut nos utramque familiam nostram praefectoriam nancti. 217 Codex Matritensis, BNE, 9448 (formerly Ee. 102), of the tenth or eleventh century, designated C in the standard siglum: see Lütjohann (1887).vi; also Le Blant 2, 331–3, no. 562; Allmer and Dissard (1888) 1, 251, no. 471; CLE 2.714–15, no. 1516; ILCV 1.207, no. 1067. See further in this volume van Waarden, ch. 1, sect. 2, point (1). See also the Sidonius website,
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The Madrid epitaph also had a subscription: XII kl. Septembris Zenone imperatore, that is, ‘21 August, during the reign of the emperor Zeno’, which would date Sidonius’ death to some- where between 474 and 491. This subscription has troubled commentators for centuries.220 For one thing, it is not in metre, like the rest of the epitaph, suggesting that it was not part of the original epitaph.221 In addition, the dating formula, to ‘the emperorship of Zeno’, is inconsistent with standard formulae, which customarily give a consulate or regnal year. Not, however, that it would have been unusual to preserve the day of a bishop’s death but not the year: traditionally, the day was commemorated in a church’s annual liturgical calendar, but the year was not similarly recorded, so the lack of a specifi c year is not necessarily surprising. Indeed, it has been suggested that this date was derived from the De viris illustribus (‘On Illustri- ous Men’) of Gennadius of Marseille, which was written in the 490s and concluded its entry on Sidonius: fl oruit ea tempestate qua Leo et Zeno Romanis imperabant (‘he fl ourished at the time when Leo and Zeno ruled the Romans’), meaning that he died during the reign of Zeno.222 Even more recently, another manuscript reading of the formula has surfaced, from a twelfth-century codex of Sidonius’ works (Paris, IRHT, Collection privée 347) (Fig. 2.3). In this version, the word imperatore is replaced by the word consule, the word that one would expect to fi nd in a dating formula.
Figure 2.3 The Sidonius epitaph from Paris CP 347 (Private collection, ©IRHT)
220 See Stevens (1933) 211-12, Loyen (1960) 1.xxix, and the discussion in Furbetta (2015b). 221 Also indicated by the consideration that the epitaph had eighteen lines, arranged in two nine-line columns. There was no space for a nineteenth line with a date formula. 222 Gennad. De viris inlustribus 92: Richardson (1896); PL 58.1059-1120.
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If this date were correct, it would place Sidonius’ death in 469, 475, or 479, the years of Zeno’s consulates. But these dates confl ict with the internal evidence of Sidonius’ own letters, which have him still alive into the 480s. For example, in his letter to Oresius, Sidonius stated that he had given up writing poetry three Olympiads, that is twelve years, earlier, at the incep- tion of his episcopate.223 That would date this letter to c. 480.224 And surely some time must also have intervened between the writing of this letter and the circulation of Book 9 of letters, where this letter appears, so a date of 481, or, more prudently, 482, might be suggested for Book 9.225 This means that the manuscript reading Zenone consule cannot possibly be correct. So where did it come from, and how does it relate to the imperatore reading? Leaving aside the principle of lectio diffi cilior, which would argue in favour of the imperatore reading, one also can suggest other reasons to doubt the consule reading. As observed by Fur- betta, there are problems with the text of the Paris version of the epitaph.226 For one thing, in lines 10–11 rather than reading: haec inter tamen et philosophando / scripsit perpetuis habenda seclis (‘but in the midst of this he was a sage and wrote works that will be possessions for ages without end’), as in the Madrid manuscript, it reads: hec inter tamen et facundus ore / libris excoluit vitam parentis (‘but in the midst of this, eloquent in expresssion, he adorned the life of his father in his books’). To explain the variation, Furbetta suggests that because line 10 was the fi rst line of the second of the two columns, there might have been damage that impaired an accurate reading of the stone. One could make the same suggestion regarding line 9, which would have been the last line of the fi rst column. This scenario implies that the actual stone was read two different times, and that the divergences in the reading came not from variant manuscript readings or emendations but from different readings of the original epitaph. Be that as it may, the Madrid reading seems preferable, given that whereas Sidonius repeatedly used different forms of the word philosophari, ‘to be a philosopher’, he is not known to have honoured the life of an ancestor in his works.227 In addition, a reading of a mutilated inscription as consule rather than imperatore, or a manuscript emendation of imperatore to consule, would have been quite natural for anyone familiar with dating formulae; indeed, in 1887, long before the discovery of the French manuscript, Mommsen had suggested just such a reading.228 Which in fact raises another problem with the consule reading: because Zeno held three consulates, the reading consule alone would only apply to 469, far too early. To be applicable to 479, the only date that could be relevant to Sidonius, the formula would have needed an iteration number. The lack of a qualifi er indicates that this date is just as much of an approximation as the reading imperatore. Both versions deviate from standard dating formulae, and neither can provide an exact date.
223 Sidon. Ep. 9.12.2 postquam in silentio decurri tres olympiadas. 224 Twelve years from 469, counting inclusively in the customary Roman manner, would have been 480. Loyen (1970) 2.xxiii, however, suggests 481/2; and Köhler (1995) 8, offers 482. However, see in this volume Kelly, ch. 3, sect. 5.1, arguing that the death date of 21 August 479 could be authentic. See also in this volume van Waarden, ch. 1, n. 74. 225 See Mathisen (2013a); also Harries (1994) 8: ‘in or after 481’; Loyen (1960) 1.xxii–xxiv, 10: ‘vers 482’, followed by Kaufmann (1995) 41–78; Baret (1878) 132: 483. 226 Furbetta (2015b). Interestingly, there are metrical problems either way: philo¯sophando (long o), fa˘cundus (short a), v˘tamı (short i) – an issue to which a copyist of a fragmentary epitaph might have been quite insensitive. 227 Sidon. Ep. 1.2.7 philosophatur, 1.4.2 philosophantes, 4.1.4 philosophaturus, 4.3.5 philosophari, 4.11.1 philosopharetur, 4.14.2 philosophantem, 9.9.13 philosophari – pace Furbetta on the ‘raro philosophando che poco ha che fare con l’attività letteraria di Sidonio’. 228 Quamquam extremum vocabulum non recte se habet scribendumque fuit Zenone Augusto (iterum) consule similiterve, ‘although the last word is not correct and Zenone Augusto (iterum) consule or something similar should have been written’ (MGH AA 8.xlix). Only a few extant documents are clearly dated by Zeno’s consulates; note in particular, from Vercelli in northern Italy, CIL 5.6730 recessit sub d(ie) II Id(us) Oc/tob(res) consul(e) Zeno/ne.
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Given that the date formula clearly – because it is not in metre – was not part of the origi- nal epitaph, it well might have been added to the inscription at a later date, with the day taken from the liturgical calendar and the year from Gennadius. And given the problematic nature of the consule reading, Ockham’s razor would suggest not using it to overturn all of the internal chronological indicators from Sidonius’ letter collection.
11 The Non-Aristocratic World Even though Sidonius’ poems and letters highlight the activities of elites, they nonetheless provide signifi cant commentary of the lives of the less privileged.
11.1 Less Privileged Persons If decurions were granted a special exemption that accepted them into the world of aris- tocratic society, the great mass of lower-ranking, unprivileged persons who made up the preponderance of the population of Sidonius’ world was excluded. This cast of many thou- sands operating on the fringes of Sidonius’ hothouse environment of aristocratic interac- tion, audience halls, libraries, and drawing rooms made only brief, cameo appearances in his pages. Most of these persons did not merit being named and thus are often effectively ignored in studies of Sidonius’ social world. They came from a wide range of backgrounds and occupations. One encounters, for example, bargemen,229 gravediggers,230 murderers,231 fugitives,232 pirates,233 bandits,234 wet nurses,235 physicians,236 scribes,237 purchasing agents,238 an archimagirus (chief cook) who announced: ‘Dinner is served’,239 a barbarian bride and bridegroom,240 and a slave-dealer.241 Not to mention a multitude of unnamed clientes, fam- uli, and servi. So perhaps we have the makings of a cross-section of the population of late antique Gaul after all. Sidonius provides occasional glimpses into the everyday lives and domestic dramas of the dependants who comprised the retinue of every late antique aristocrat. Members of Sidonius’ own household often surfaced when he and his family were on the road,242 as often occurred in the summer, when aristocrats would abandon the cities for their country estates. As Sidonius noted to his brother-in-law Agricola just prior to one such excursion: ‘Therefore, we all together, both us and the entire household (domum totam), are departing
229 Sidon. Ep. 2.10.4 chorus helciariorum. 230 Sidon. Ep. 3.12.1–2. 231 Sidon. Ep. 8.11.11. 232 Sidon. Ep. 3.9.2, 9.10.1–2. 233 Sidon. Ep. 8.6.13–15. 234 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.1–3. 235 Sidon. Ep. 2.2.10, 5.19.1–2. 236 Sidon. Ep. 2.12.3. 237 Sidon. Ep. 1.7.5, 2.8.3, 5.15.1–2, 5.17.10, 9.7.1, 9.9.8. 238 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.1–3, 6.8.1. 239 Sidon. Ep. 2.9.6 ecce et ab archimagiro adventans qui tempus instare curandi corpora moneret, ‘behold, a messenger approaching from the chief cook to tell us that the time had come to refresh the body’. 240 Sidon. Carm. 5.220. 241 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.1–3. 242 Hutchings (2009) 65–7, Piacente (2005), Cloppet (1989).
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the heat and torpor of the city.’243 On that occasion, a dependant even merited having his name mentioned, the physician Justus, who accompanied the family when Sidonius took his sickly daughter Severiana to a country estate to make her more comfortable: Sidonius joked that he would probably make a better veterinarian than doctor.244 Travel was a major undertaking, almost a polar expedition. In another episode, Sidonius and his retinue left town for a place in the remote countryside. Members of his familia went on twelve miles ahead to pitch a tent and have lunch ready.245 And regarding a trip to Toulouse, Sidonius recalled: ‘In the morning, the slaves (pueri) and dependants (clientes) were engaged in round- ing up the pack animals.’246 In the course of his travels, Sidonius also encountered still more non-elite individuals. In a letter to his nephew Secundus, he reported that when he was ‘departing the city [of Lyon] for the Auvergne’, on the outskirts of the city he spotted a group of undertakers (corporum baiuli) disturbing the neglected and unmarked grave of his own grandfather.247 Sidonius galloped over on horseback and gave the ‘bandits’ (latrones) a good whipping, for which he later begged the pardon of the bishop Patiens, under whose jurisdiction the burial ground lay.248 Patiens gave an ex post facto approval to Sidonius’ rough-and-ready justice, stating: ‘With regard to ancient custom, those guilty of such great temerity seemed to have been lawfully punished.’249 Incidents such as this demonstrate well the kind of summary authority that the well-to-do exercised over less privileged persons during these times when the traditional legal system was breaking down. The personal dramas of the unprivileged often involved affairs of the heart. In Late Antiq- uity, status differences could be an impediment to true love. In one instance, the unnamed son of the unnamed nutrix, or wet nurse, of a neighbouring landowner named Pudens ran off with the unnamed daughter of Sidonius’ own unnamed wet nurse.250 The problem was that the woman had the legal status of liberta, or freedwoman, perhaps having been freed at the death of Sidonius’ father, whereas the man had the standing of inquilinus originalis, by now the same as colonus, and was legally bound to his shareholding. Sidonius observed to Pudens that the only way that the woman could escape being viewed as a strumpet would be to marry the miscre- ant, and thus he demanded that Pudens raise the fellow to plebeian status, and thus become his patron rather than his master.251
243 Sidon. Ep. 2.12.3 igitur ardori civitatis atque torpori tam nos quam domum totam . . . pariter eximimus; cf. 4.18.2 vix singulorum clientum puerorumque comitatu, ‘(they set out) with scarcely one client and one servant each for an escort’. 244 Sidon. Ep. 2.12.3 sane contubernio nostro iure amicitiae Iustus adhibebitur, quem, si iocari liberet in tristibus, facile convin- cerem Chironica magis institutum arte [veterinarian] quam Machaonica [human], ‘Justus indeed will be admitted to our household by right of friendship, though if one had been inclined to jest in sad circumstances, I should easily have proved that he is better trained in the art of Chiron than in that of Machaon.’ 245 Sidon. Ep. 4.8.1–2 nos quoque ex oppido longe remotum rus petebamus . . . familia praecesserat ad duodeviginti milia passuum fi xura tentorium, quo quidem loci sarcinulis relaxandis multa succedunt conducibilia . . . nostris antecedentibus. 246 Sidon. Ep. 4.24.4 luce revoluta pueri clientesque capiendis animalibus occuparentur. 247 Sidon. Ep. 3.12.1–2 Avi mei, proavi tui tumulum . . . paene manus profana temeraverat . . . pergens urbem ad Arvernam publicum scelus . . . aspexi. 248 Sidon. Ep. 3.12.2–3 torsi latrones . . . ceterum nostro quod sacerdoti nil reservavi . . . Patiens, however, was not named. 249 Sidon. Ep. 3.12.3 more maiorum reos tantae temeritatis iure caesos videri. The word videri suggests, however, that Patiens might not have been completely happy with this act. 250 Sidon. Ep. 5.19. 251 Sidon. Ep. 5.19.1–2 Nutricis meae fi liam fi lius tuae rapuit: facinus indignum . . . si stupratorem pro domino iam patronus originali solvas inquilinatu. mulier autem illa iam libera est, quae tum demum videbitur non ludibrio addicta, sed assumpta coniugio, si reus noster . . . mox cliens factus e tributario plebeiam potius incipiat habere personam quam colonariam . . . acquiesco, si laxat libertas maritum, ne constringat poena raptorem.
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In a letter to a bishop Ambrosius, perhaps of Cahors, Sidonius told of a love affair that foundered on status differences.252 He reported that an unnamed young man – ‘I need not mention the name or the individual, you will recognise all the details’ – ‘had broken off the love affair with a most shameless slave-girl, to whom he had been completely addicted, bound up in an obscene intimacy, and now was taking cognisance of his patrimony, descendants, and reputation’.253 Especially, Sidonius continued, because ‘the extravagance had swallowed up nearly all of his modest inheritance’. In this account it is, of course, the slave-girl who was completely responsible for luring the poor naïve young man to ruin. But, Sidonius concluded, the young fellow, now referred to as a vir laudandus, had found a way out of his predicament: ‘He fl ed the enticements of his mistress and, as is proper, married a chaste young lady, as high- ranking in character and birth as she is in her princely fortune.. We are not told, however, what happened to the slave-girl.254 Drama of a more serious nature affl icted unprivileged persons who were caught up in the troubles of the times, such as a refugee deacon who, ‘fl eeing the whirlwind of Gothic depre- dation’, had escaped with his family to the territory of Auxerre.255 Sidonius interceded with bishop Censurius to allow him to farm church land rent-free. An even sadder tale turns up in a letter to bishop Lupus of Troyes at a time when internal security in Gaul was collapsing and the poor journeyed at their own risk. Sidonius had been approached by a group of travel- lers who had been searching for a kinswoman who, during the course of a journey, had been kidnapped by local bandits known as the Vargi.256 Another of the travellers had been killed.257 The woman’s relatives discovered that she had been sold as a slave in Clermont, but in the meantime the unfortunate woman had died ‘in the house and in the ownership of a local businessman (negotiatoris nostri)’.258 The transaction, which had occurred on the open market, had been guaranteed by a slave-dealer named Prudens who was currently living at Troyes, and Sidonius therefore asked Lupus to look into the matter and reach an out-of-court settlement, perhaps to recover the purchase price.259 Incidents such as these can explain why unprivileged persons on the fringes of the socio- economic world often preferred to put themselves under the protection of a great senatorial
252 Sidon. Ep. 9.6; for a later bishop Ambrosius of Cahors, see Bonnassie (1990). 253 Sidon. Ep. 9.6.1–2: quid loquar nomen personam? tu recognosces cuncta . . . abrupto contubernio ancillae propudiosis- simae, cui se totum consuetudine obscena vinctus addixerat, patrimonio posteris famae subita sui correctione consuluit. namque per rei familiaris damna vacuatus, ut primum intellegere coepit et retractare, quantum de bonusculis avitis pater- nisque sumptuositas domesticae Charybdis abligurrisset . . . fugit . . . . meretricii blandimenta naufragii . . . . puellamque prout decuit intactam vir laudandus in matrimonium assumpsit, tam moribus natalibusque summatem quam facultatis principalis. 254 For another case involving marital property, note the case of Eutropia, Sidon. Ep. 6.2. 255 Sidon. Ep. 6.10.1–2 Gerulum litterarum levitici ordinis honestat offi cium. hic cum familia sua depraedationis Gothicae turbinem vitans in territorium vestrum delatus est ipso, ut sic dixerim, pondere fugae; ubi in re ecclesiae, cui sanctitas tua praesidet, parvam sementem semiconfecto caespiti advena ieiunus iniecit, cuius ex solido colligendae fi eri sibi copiam exorat. 256 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.1 commendo supplicum baiulorum . . . necessitatem, qui in Arvernam regionem . . . unam feminam de affecti- bus suis, quam forte Vargorum (hoc enim nomine indigenas latrunculos nuncupant) superventus abstraxerat, isto deductam ante aliquot annos isticque distractam. 257 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.2 etiam in illo latrocinio quendam de numero viantum constet extinctum. 258 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.2 atque obiter haec eadem laboriosa, priusquam hi adessent, in negotiatoris nostri domo dominioque palam sane venumdata defungitur. 259 Sidon. Ep. 6.4.2 quodam Prudente (hoc viro nomen), quem nunc Tricassibus degere fama divulgat, ignotorum nobis hominum collaudante contractum; cuius subscriptio intra formulam nundinarum tamquam idonei adstipulatoris ostenditur.
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landed magnate, such as Sidonius, rather than to attempt to maintain a precarious hold on indi- vidual freedom.260
11.2 Letter Carriers The most ubiquitous of the less privileged in Sidonius’ letter collection are the letter carriers who maintained the late antique communications network and played an essential role in the pursuit of aristocratic communications.261 In his letters, Sidonius mentions no fewer than 27 letter carriers, 6.1% of the total number of individuals, including 1 senator (Faustinus), 4 decurions, 1 clericalis, 18 plebeians, 1 libertus, and 2 servi. . So, two thirds of them – 18 of the 27 – were plebeians, while 14 (54%) were left unnamed. Eight of them (30%) were clerics (2 priests, 2 deacons, 2 lectors, and 2 unspecifi ed clerics). They also include the only three Jews in Sidonius (Promotus, Gozolas, and an anonymous). Letter carriers thus came from a cross-section of society, ranging from senators to slaves. It was the one venue where, in a sense, everyone was providing an equal service. The regular travels of letter carriers, and the assumptions that letters would be delivered, demonstrate that, with only occasional disrup- tions in communications, late Roman Gaul was not as beset by constant political unrest as is often assumed,262 and reveals the continuity of a communication system that permitted Gauls to stay in contact with each other. The constant comings and goings of letter carriers thus provided the glue that held aristocratic society together. Most letter carriers received no more than a passing acknowledgement as the oblator api- cum or the gerulus litterarum. But, given that Sidonius often had a personal acquaintance with a messenger, he sometimes told anecdotes about letter carriers that provide some revealing windows on the world of the less privileged. The best known letter carrier is Amantius, an Arvernian businessman, perhaps from a curial family that had fallen on hard times, who reg- ularly travelled to Provence.263 This made him ideal as a letter carrier, and he was mentioned several times between 470 and 480 in letters to Graecus, bishop of Marseille.264 Amantius ingratiated himself into the highest levels of the society of Marseille, rubbing shoulders with the bishop, the comes civitatis, and the maiores of the city. He eventually married a rich young woman, collected the property settlement, and high-tailed it back to Clermont. Sidonius portrayed Amantius as an opportunistic social climber and a con artist (a callidus viator and a praestigiator), like a stock character from a romance, nicknaming him ‘Hippolytus’. Aman- tius’ pretensions and ambitions, although depicted with some conventional disapprobation, were also viewed indulgently by Sidonius, who made him a lector and was, after all, his countryman, bishop, and patron.
260 Of course, not just the unprivileged were caught up in unrest. A certain Theodorus, a relative of Eparchius Avitus, became a Visigothic hostage c. 425/6: Sidon. Carm. 7.215–20 nobilis obses / tu Theodore, venis, quem pro pietate propinqui / expetis in media pelliti principis aula, ‘you arrive, Theodorus, a noble hostage, whom you, Avitus, out of duty to your kinsman, seek out in the midst of the skinclad monarch’s court’. 261 For message carriers, note Gillett (2003). 262 In a letter to Eutropius of Orange,for instance, Sidonius spoke of ‘ambushes being prepared for travellers’ (Ep. 6.6.1 quicquam viantibus insidiarum parare), and to Burgundio he wrote of travelling to Rome ‘if conditions of peace and location permitted’ (Ep. 9.14.3 si pacis locique condicio permitteret). 263 Sidon. Ep. 6.8.1 mercandi actione, 7.2.1 mercatoris . . . offi cium, 7.2.3 nihil illustre . . . nihil servile. 264 Sidon. Ep. 6.8.1–2, 7.2, 7.7.1, 7.10.1, 9.4.1.
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Another vignette, in which the dependants even had speaking roles, appears in a tale about a letter carrier sent to his cousins Simplicius and Apollinaris:
Suddenly a grimacing household slave (puer familiaris) appeared. ‘What is it?’, I asked. He replied: ‘I saw the lector Constans outside the door just returned from the lords Simplicius and Apollinaris. He indeed delivered the letters he got from you, but he lost those that he received in return.’ Having heard this, the misfortune of this news aroused so much anger that for many days I steadfastly refused to see that slow-witted blockhead. After a while my anger calmed. I admitted him and asked whether he had also brought any verbal message, and he responded – although he was trembling and cringing, and, on account of his guilt, barely able to speak and see – that everything had been committed to the pages that had been lost.265
A similar sketch appears in another letter to Simplicius and Apollinaris where Sidonius provided a character study of an unnamed individual who had badgered Sidonius to let him carry a letter to his cousins:
I can easily imagine how he will be suddenly stupefi ed when he is graciously admitted . . . I seem to myself to see how, to a man who is not at all of enviable sophistication, every- thing will seem new, when the stranger is invited into the home, the faint-hearted into conversation, the rustic to your gaiety, the pauper to your table. And when one who here joins the crowd surrounded by uncooked vegetables and edibles with the aromas of onions there experiences this kind of good company, as if he had done his belching in the midst of Apician banquets and Byzantine carvers.266
Sidonius then superciliously concluded his parody with the disparaging comment: ‘But although men of this sort are nearly all despicable persons, in cultivating friendships through letters, affection sustains a great loss if it is restrained from more frequent discourse by the low- liness of the letter carriers.’267 In the case of letter carriers, then, one had to make exceptions to the usual rules of aristocratic politesse, and rub shoulders with these persons who were so necessary to the maintenance of aristocratic contacts.
12 Understanding Sidonius’ People: Social Network Analysis A second methodological approach, one that can allow one to visualise social networks con- structed from letter collections, is ‘social network analysis’ (SNA), a method used in modern sociology to determine degrees of social connectedness among groups of individuals based on
265 Sidon. Ep. 4.12.2–4 cum repente puer familiaris adstitit vultuosus. cui nos: ‘quid ita?’ et ille: ‘lectorem’, inquit, ‘Constantem nomine pro foribus vidi a dominis Simplicio et Apollinare redeuntem; dedit quidem litteras quas acceperat sed perdidit quas recepit’. quibus agnitis . . . tantamque mihi bilem nuntii huiusce contrarietas excitavit, ut per plurimos dies illum ipsum hermam stolidissimum venire ante oculos meos inexoratus arcuerim . . . at postquam nostra sensim temporis intervallo ira defremuit, percontor admissum, num verbo quippiam praeterea detulisset. respondit ipse, quamquam esset trepidus et sternax et prae reatu balbutiret ore, caecutiret intuitu, totum . . . paginis quae intercidissent fuisse mandatum. 266 Sidon. Ep. 4.7.2 facile coniecto, quo repente stupore ferietur, cum . . . dignanter admissus . . . videre mihi videor, ut homini non usque ad invidiam perfaceto nova erunt omnia, cum invitabitur peregrinus ad domicilium, trepidus ad colloquium, rusticus ad laetitiam, pauper ad mensa, et cum apud crudos caeparumque crapulis esculentos hic agat vulgus, illic ea comitate tractabitur, ac si inter Apicios epulones et Byzantinos chironomuntas hucusque ructaverit. 267 Sidon. Ep. 4.7.3 sed quamquam huiuscemodi saepe personae despicabiles ferme sunt, in sodalibus tamen per litteras excolendis dispendii multum caritas sustinet, si ab usu frequentioris alloquii portitorum vilitate revocetur.
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Figure 2.4 The author and his recipients
the documented nature of their interactions.268 In recent years, a ‘social network’ approach has also been applied to the study of ancient social groups.269 It expands on traditional methods of prospographical analysis by adding the ability to create diagrams, or ‘sociograms’, that visu- ally portray the nature of social interactions. Sociograms are constructed from collections of ‘nodes’, individuals, connected by lines, known as ‘links’, ‘ties’, or ‘edges’, representing the connections between pairs of individuals. In the case of a letter collection, every person who received a letter from an individual has a connection to the letter writer. This can be repre- sented in visual form by a series of spokes extending from the author of the collection to each recipient of a letter, as seen in Figure 2.4 for the recipients of letters and poems from Sidonius. This type of depiction, however, is trivial. It is a self-defi ning system in which the author, who had one-to-one relationships with all his correspondents, is automatically at the centre of the network, something that one already knew. A more complete model can be created by including in the diagram secondary references, that is, individuals that Sidonius mentioned in addition to his correspondents themselves. We can certainly suppose that Sidonius knew who these third parties were, so in its simplest form, an SNA diagram incorporating these persons consists of a large collection of spokes radiating out from Sidonius that represent Sidonius’ individual connection to every person he cites. Even in this simple form, the diagram is becoming rather full (Fig. 2.5). An SNA diagram that is more complex can be created by supposing that the individu- als mentioned in secondary references were in some way also known to the recipient of the letter or poem – there would have been no point in mentioning a third person if the
268 E.g. Freeman et al. (1989), Wasserman and Faust (1994), Butts (2008), Scott and Carrington (2011). ‘Social net- work analysis’, a formal, theoretically based, quantitative method, is different from more generic and impressionistic ‘network analysis’, where networks are defi ned more loosely to mean any kind of interactions or connections that an author wants them to. 269 E.g. Clark (1991), Graham and Ruffi ni (2007), Schor (2007, 2011), Waerzeggers (2014).
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recipient was not somehow familiar with them. In addition, one also can imagine tertiary forms of connection: (1) if two or more persons are mentioned in the same letter, as in the case of the four episcopal ambassadors sent to King Euric in 475, we might hypoth- esise that in some way they were known to each other,270 or (2) even more speculatively, if the same third person is mentioned in correspondence to two different recipients, as when Constantius of Lyon is mentioned to both Hesperius and Firminus,271 one might conjecture that the two letter recipients also knew each other, in the same way that they both knew Sidonius. The validity of these tertiary connections, of course, can be chal- lenged, but one must remember that the only way that a SNA diagram can be created at all is if there are connections among the individuals depicted in it. So it is necessary to make use of as many reasonable forms of connection as possible. If we use these sec- ondary and tertiary connections to create a diagram depicting how 445 individuals who appear in Sidonius works were connected to each other, there is an immediate problem: it is a spider’s-web nightmare of some 6,000 connections, far too many to provide useful observations. In order to create a more manageable social network image, one can extract subsets of the total number of individuals in the database. Thus, one could generate a diagram of just the connections among Sidonius’ 106 correspondents, both with himself and with each other (Fig. 2.6). As can be seen, many correspondents have no connection with anyone but Sidonius, so their presence shows us nothing about interactions within the larger group and only clutters the diagram. If one edits out the persons with no additional ties, we obtain a rather more informative diagram (Fig. 2.7). Once an SNA diagram is in a more manageable form, the nodes can be manipulated, as has been done in Figure 2.7, to tease out subgroups of individuals, such as the group of northern- ers (Arbogastes, Auspicius, Lupus, Prosper, Principius, and Remigius) in the upper left corner. Some individuals, such as Leo, Tetradius, and Sidonius’ cousin Apollinaris, are seen to be quite well connected, whereas others are only associated with a few other persons. One consideration that can hinder the application of SNA to a letter collection is that, by the nature of the method, the author of a letter collection has a ‘connection’ to everybody who appears in the collection. When displayed graphically, this factor makes a network look more connected than it actually is, because the connections are provided not by the network itself, but by the person of the author of the letter collection. And because a letter collection is self-constructed, the resultant ‘network’ really does not tell us much that we did not know already: that the author of the collection circulated letters to some persons and mentioned still additional third persons in those letters. This consideration can also make the author of a letter collection look more important than the author actually may have been. But there is a way that one can attempt to get around this. In order to ascertain whether there are independent networks buried in an author’s per- sonal network, one can remove the author from it. Doing so reveals how very dependent that network is on the presence of the author. An SNA diagram based on a letter collection (as most of them are for Late Antiquity) can thus be nuanced further by treating the author, in
270 Sidon. Ep. 7.6.10: Basilius, Leontius, Faustus, and Graecus, who surely did know each other. 271 Sidon. Ep. 2.10.3, 9.16.1; there is no way to know, however, whether Hesperius and Firminus were in fact acquainted with each other.
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this case Sidonius, not as the author of the collection, which gives him connections to every- one else in the diagram and thus is not very helpful, but as just like any other correspondent. Now, Sidonius received one letter in the collection, Ep. 4.2, from Mamertus Claudianus, and is mentioned by name in fi ve letters, either as ‘Sollius’ (Ep. 1.9.6, 5.17.9, 9.15.1) or as ‘Sidonius’ (Ep. 1.11.4 and 13, 7.9.14), where he played a personal role in the proceedings being described, and was not merely observing or commenting from a distance. This gives Sidonius himself a total of six mentions, consistent with the maximum number of mentions for other correspondents. In this way, Sidonius’ virtual presence as author or observer is removed from the equation and he becomes a participant. Thus, in a diagram just of ecclesiastics who had at least one shared connection, we obtain a rather revealing portrayal of ecclesiastical interactions (Fig. 2.8). Bishops such as Lupus of Troyes, Maximus and Faustus of Riez, and Eucherius of Lyon are seen to be major foci of interaction related to the aristocratic-monastic circle of Lérins. Sidonius (that is, ‘Apollinaris 6’), however, is not even included in this primary group, but is part of a separate subgroup comprising such bishops as Perpetuus of Tours and Agroecius of Sens. Social network diagrams therefore offer a useful heuristic tool for visualising how inter- connections could have manifested themselves in the real world, but they are also imprecise and neither prescriptive nor an end in themselves, especially when it comes to the secondary and tertiary connections which the application of the method necessarily requires, and which can make it appear that there were connections where none actually existed. The diagrams suggest where we might want to look for connection and nodes of interaction that then need to be refi ned by looking at the actual texts.
Figure 2.8 Independent networks with the author as a participant
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13 Conclusion Quantitative methods – prosopography, statistical analysis, and social network analysis – provide tools for understanding the people in Sidonus’ letters and poems not just in an impressionistic way, based on selected passages used to illustrate this or that phenome- non and interpreted in the eye of the beholder, but in a comprehensive manner. These tools reduce the possibility that conclusions will be taken out of context, incorporate all of Sidonius’ people into a single analytical model, and explicitly interpret all the groups that a user wishes to study in the context of the entire population.
66255_Kelly255_Kelly aandnd vvanan WWaarden_Partaarden_Part 11.indd.indd 7575 119/11/199/11/19 3:073:07 PMPM A Prosopography of Sidonius Persons Mentioned in the Works of Sidonius (Fourth and Fifth Centuries) This prosopographical catalogue aims to cite all persons from the fourth century and later who are mentioned by Sidonius. It is not the intent to provide a comprehensive biography for each individual; in most cases, the activities cited and the dates given are limited to those attested in Sidonius. Indeed, there is an effort to equalise the amount of space given to each individual irrespective of their social status. Only in the case of some exceptionally signifi cant persons is additional contextualisation provided. The catalogue also includes a multitude of anonymous persons who hover on the fringes of Sidonius’ social world but who are usu- ally implicitly or explicitly excluded from studies of late antique society, at the same time as scholars lament the lack of presence of unprivileged persons in the works of elite authors. All the persons left unnamed by Sidonius are listed together among the anonymi/anonymae; in cases where the name can be restored from other sources, it is cited in parentheses. Except in the rare cases where letters are internally dated, as in the case of the episcopal embassy to Euric in 474/5 and Sidonius’ subsequent exile, the contacts between Sidonius and his correspondents are dated only approximately, based on a knowledge of Sidonius’ personal history and on the supposed dates of circulation of the poems and the books of the letter col- lection. Dates can be given in several ways, in order of increasing fuzziness: (1) as an exact date, when known;2) as an exact range of dates, for example 400–50; (3) as an approximate date, using ‘c.’ (= ‘circa’); (4) as a range of dates at some point(s) during the course of which the subject was active, for example 400/50; (5) as a section of a century, using ‘IV’, ‘V’, and so on as the century indicators, often preceded by ‘E’ (early), ‘M’ (middle), or ‘L’ (late). The entries are cross-referenced with several prosopographical reference works covering this period and region: Stroheker’s Der senatorische Adel im spätantiken Gallien (1948);1 the fi rst two volumes of the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire (1971/1980); Mathisen’s ‘PLRE II: Sug- gested Addenda and Corrigenda’ (1982); Heinzelmann’s ‘Gallische Prosopographie’ (1982); and the Gallic volume of the Prosopographie chrétienne (2013) (PCBE).
General format: Name Rank/status Position Date Geographical origin/area of activity ‘Ethnicity’ Religious affi liation Comments Reference(s) in Sidonius Letter(s)/ poem(s) received Prosopographical citation(s) in PLRE, PCBE, Heinzelmann, Stroheker
The titles of formal Roman ranks and offi ces (for example, ‘magister militum’) are given in Latin; more generic kinds of offi ces, such as ‘bishop’ or ‘governor’, are given in English. Abbreviations include c.f. = clarissima femina, f.i. = femina inlustris, v.c. = vir clarissimus, v.i. = vir inlustris, v.s. = vir spectabilis. For discussion see ch. 2, sect. 5, above.
1 See also the list of offi ceholders in Henning (1999).
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Fl. Ablabius v.i. Consul 326–37 Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Consul in 331; wrote a poem about Constantine’s murders of his wife Fausta and son Crispus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.8.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 3–4
Abraham v.s. Abbot M/L V Mesopotamia, Gaul/Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Originally from Mesopotamia, where he was persecuted by the Sasanid Persians; fl ed to the Roman Empire and established a monastery in the Auvergne. A friend of the dux Victorius. Died c. 477 and was succeeded as abbot by Auxanius. Sidonius wrote his epitaph at the request of Volusianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.17.1–2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 46–7
Adelphius v.c. Rhetor L IV/E V Gaul, Bordeaux? Roman Adelfi i teneritudo; in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 14, Heinzelmann 544
Fl. Aëtius patricius Magister militum 426–54 Dacia, Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Defeated Huns at battle of Catalaunian Fields, 451 CE, called Aetium Ligeris liberatorem; Majorian was aemulus of him; murdered by Valentinian III (gladio lacrimabile fatum clauserat Aëtius) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.126, 198, 217, 254, 275, 306, 7.230, Ep. 7.12.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 21–29, PCBE 4, 67, Heinzelmann 546, Zecchini (1983)
Censorius Atticus Agricius v.c. Rhetor M IV Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Agroecii disciplina; in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 30, Heinzelmann 547
Agricola v.i. 450s/460s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Son of Eparchius Avitus, brother of Ecdicius and Papianilla, married a daughter of Ruricius of Limoges; received a letter describing the Visigothic king Theoderic II; sent a boat for a fi shing expedition when Sidonius was departing to the countryside; became a penitent late in life: see Ruric. Ep. 2.32 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.2, 2.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.2, 2.12 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 37, PCBE 4, 106, Stroheker 143, Heinzelmann 547
Agricola v.i. Consul 418/21 Gaul, Narbonne? Roman Nicene Christian Father of the Consul Magnus, grandfather of Araneola, Magnus Felix, and Probus; PPO Gal- liarum in 418, consul in 421; based on the name, Agricola, of the son of Eparchius Avitus
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and on Avitus’ relationship to the family of Magnus, perhaps to be identifi ed as Avitus’ father (PLRE 2, 36–7) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.164–7, 15.150–1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 36–7, 1233, Stroheker 143, Heinzelmann 547
Agrippinus clericalis Priest 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Priest of a bishop Pragmatius of an unknown see, father of the daughter-in-law of Eutropia, against whom he instituted a lawsuit apparently concerning the inheritance from his son; Sidonius had amicitia with both disputants and had failed to reconcile them; he was recently ordained (iam presbyteri), and Sidonius criticised his saeculares versutiae (‘secular craftiness’) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.2.1–4 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 92–3, Stroheker 143–4, Heinzelmann 548
Agroecius v.i. Bishop 469 Gaul, Sens Roman Nicene Christian Author of an Ars de orthographia; invited by Sidonius to an archiepiscopal ordination at Bourges c. 469/70; addressed as Senoniae caput in his capacity of metropolitan of Lugdunensis Quarta (or Senonia), something of an irregularity because the election was in Aquitania Prima, where only Clermont remained under Roman control. This would mean that Bourges was held by the Visigoths, which would be consistent with Sidonius’ mention of ‘Arians’ at the ordination ceremony; see Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.25 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.5, 7.9.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 39, PCBE 4, 95, Heinzelmann 548
Albiso clericalis Priest 477/82 Gaul, Autun Roman Nicene Christian A priest; he and the deacon Proculus carried a letter from Euphronius of Autun Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.2.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 103–4
Latinus Alcimus Alethius v.c. Rhetor M IV Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Native of Agen (Nitiobroges); a rhetor of Bordeaux who wrote panegyrics on Julian and Sallus- tius, consuls in 363; in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus (fortitudo Alcimi); given the names of Sidonius’ daughter Alcima and nephew Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus, bishop of Vienne, perhaps a distant relative of Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3, 8.11.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 39, PCBE 4, 106, Heinzelmann 550
Alethius vir honestissimus Decurion 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius asked Explicius to arbitrate Alethius’ quarrel with Paulus; Sidonius’ lack of honorifi cs suggests that these two were decurions Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.7.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 55, Heinzelmann 550
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Amantius vir honestissimus Lector 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian An ambitious purchasing agent (actione mercandi, offi cium mercatoris) from a mid-rank family, ‘neither illustrious nor servile’ (nihil illustre . . . nihil servile), of Clermont and possessing a modicum of property, so perhaps of curial origin, he regularly travelled to Marseille, where he gained the favour of bishops Eustachius and Graecus, became a client (cliens) of the count, and married the daughter of a rich widow; Sidonius treated him indulgently, making him a lector, called him a callidus viator (‘cunning traveller’) and a praestigiator (‘con artist’), and nicknamed him ‘Hippolytus’ Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.8.1–2, 7.2, 7.7.1, 7.10.1, 9.4.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 123–4
Ambrosius v.i. Bishop 477/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of an unknown see; recommended that an unnamed vir laudandus break off his affair with a slave woman (contubernio ancillae propudiosissimae) and return home Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.6 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 129, Bonnassie (1990)
Ambrosius v.i. Bishop 374–97 Italy, Milan Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus; consularis Aemiliae et Liguriae and then bishop of Milan Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7, 7.1.7 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 52
Publius Ampelius v.i. Praefectus urbi Romae 371–2 Italy, Rome Roman Pagan In a list of distinguished writers Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.304 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 56–7
Anianus v.i. Bishop M V Gaul, Orléans Roman Nicene Christian Bishop during the invasion of Attila in 451; helped defend the city until Aëtius came to the rescue; see Vita s. Aniani episcopi Aurelianensis: B. Krusch ed., MGH SRM 3 (Hanover, 1896) 108–17 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.15.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 141–3, Heinzelmann 553, Loyen (1969)
Anthedius v.c. Author 460s Gaul, Périgueux Roman Nicene Christian In a list of distinguished writers; friend of Pontius Leontius; native of Périgueux (Vesunnici) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.312, 22.ep. 2–3, Ep. 8.11.1–2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 93, Heinzelmann 554
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Anthemius patricius Consul 405 Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Father-in-law of Procopius, grandfather of the emperor Anthemius; consul in 405 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.94–5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1093–95
Anthemius Augustus Emperor 467–72 Thrace, Constantinople/Rome Roman Nicene Christian Subject of a panegyric by Sidonius; his daughter Alypia married Ricimer in 467; made Sidonius praefectus urbi and patricius in 468; promised to promote Ecdicius but did not do so; Sidonius complains about his lack of resources Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.1, 479, Ep. 1.5.10, 1.7.5, 8, 2.1.4, 5.16.2; letters/poems received: Carm. 1, 2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 96–8, Heinzelmann 554
Antiolus v.s. Bishop 475/80 Gaul, Lérins Roman Nicene Christian A former abbot of Lérins (in illo quondam coenobio Lirinensi spectabile caput); Sidonius heard about Principius of Soissons through him, so he presumably had a northern see Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.14.2, 9.7; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.14 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 152
Aper v.c. 460s Gaul, Autun/Clermont Roman Nicene Christian His father was an Aeduan and his mother was from the Auvergne; his Arvernian maternal grandparents Fronto and Auspicia raised him after the death of his mother; had an aunt Fron- tina; Sidonius called his estate calentes Baiae, referring to the hot baths, perhaps a reference to the town of Aquae Calidae (Vichy) northeast of Clermont; Sidonius invited him back from Autun to enjoy the nobilium contubernium Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21, 5.14; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.21, 5.14 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 109, PCBE 4, 158–9, Stroheker 145, Heinzelmann 555
Apollinaris v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 408/9 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Grandfather of Sidonius, great-grandfather of Secundus; the fi rst member of the family to be baptised; served as praefectus praetorio Galliarum in 408/9 with the Caesar Constans in Spain; seems to have survived the purges that followed the fall of Jovinus (411-13) and claimed the lives of Gauls such as Apollinaris’ successor as prefect Decimius Rusticus (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.9). After Sidonius discovered his grave being disturbed, he restored the gravesite and composed an epitaph Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.3.1, 3.12.5, 5.9.1–4, 7.1.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 113, PCBE 4, 161, Stroheker 145, Heinzelmann 556, Mathisen 366
Apollinaris v.c. 469/74 Gaul, Nîmes/Vaison Roman Nicene Christian Cousin of Sidonius, brother of Thaumastus of Vienne and Simplicius, with whom he received two letters jointly; had an estate at Vorocingus near Nîmes; after 469 lived with Simplicius at
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Vaison; Sidonius sent Faustinus with a verbal caution to behave himself in dangerous times; Sidonius asked him to look into damna infl icted on the letter carrier by Apollinaris’ client Gen- esius; Sidonius wondered how he was doing during a tempus hostilitatis and mentioned being endangered by a bad fever (vi febrium); in 474 he was implicated in a plot to turn over Vaison from the Burgundians to Julius Nepos Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.53, Ep. 2.9.1, 4.4, 4.12, 5.3, 5.6, 7.4.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.4, 4.12, 5.3, 5.6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 114, PCBE 4, 161–3, Stroheker 145, Heinzelmann 556, Mascoli (2002), Casado (2011)
Apollinaris v.c. 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Son of Sidonius and Papianilla; Sidonius praised him for avoiding the company of the impudici, and did a character assassination of a certain ‘Gnatho’; while he was bishop, Sidonius, profes- sionis oblitus, read Terence and Menander with him; see Ruric. Ep. 2.26–7, 41; Alc. Avit. Ep. 43, 51. Around 480, he fl ed with count Victorius to Rome (Greg. Tur. Glor. mart. 44, Hist. 2.20), where he was fi rst imprisoned and then exiled to Milan, whence he eventually escaped and returned home. He led the Arvernian contingent in support of the Visigoths at the battle of Vouillé in 507 (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.37), and in 514, with the support of his sister Alcima and wife Placidina, he followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming bishop of Clermont, but died after only four months in offi ce (Greg. Tur. Glor. mart. 44) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 17.3, Ep. 3.13, 4.12.1, 5.9.4, 5.11.3, 8.6.12, 9.1.5; letters/ poems received: Ep. 3.13 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 114, PCBE 4, 164–6, Stroheker 145–6, Heinzelmann 556, Mathisen (2003b), Condorelli (2012)
C. Sollius Apollinaris Sidonius patricius Bishop 432–c. 485 Gaul, Lyon/Rome/Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Native of Lyon, son and grandson of praetorian prefects of Gaul; married to Papianilla, daughter of emperor Eparchius Avitus, under whom he was tribunus et notarius; father of Roscia, Severiana, and Alcima; given the rank of comes by, it seems, Majorian; named patrician and prefect of Rome by Anthemius in 468; became bishop of Clermont c. 469; c. 469/70 presided over the election of bishop Simplicius of Bourges; led the Arvernian resistance against the Visigoths c. 471/5; exiled by Euric and had his Clermont property confi scated after Nepos ceded the Auvergne to the Visigoths in 475; but was permitted to return after a stay in Bordeaux where he wrote a panegyric on Euric and petitioned to have some property returned; late in life he was troubled by two rebellious presbyters (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.23); died at some point after 481/2, the time of his last dated letter (but see Kelly, ch. 3, sect. 5.1, in this volume for a different view on dating). Engaged in extensive literary activity: delivered panegyrics for three emperors (Avitus, Majorian, and Anthemius), circulated poems, letters, and other works, such as a speech he gave at Bourges and lost satires, epigrams, and masses (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.25); declined Prosper of Orléans’ invitation to write a life of Anianus and Leo’s suggestion that he write his- tory, saying periculose vera dicuntur; described himself as ‘zealous, hopeful, and fearful for something praiseworthy in his children’ (studio voto timore laudabile aliquid in fi liis); see Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.24–5, Vit. Pat. 3
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 1.23–4, 10.22, 23.28, Ep. 1.9.6, 1.11.3–13, 4.2, 4.10.1, 5.17.9, 5.3.3, 9.3.3, 9.15.1 (Carm. 40.16), etc.; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 117, PCBE 4, 1759–1800, Stroheker 217–19, Heinzelmann 556, Mathisen 366, Mascoli (2010)
Aprunculus v.i. Bishop 477/82 Gaul, Langres Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius sent him a vinculum cessionis and litteris commendatoriis on behalf of a parishoner, Iniuriosus, who had moved to Langres; Aprunculus later fl ed to Clermont to escape the Burgundians and succeeded Sidonius as bishop (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.23), see Ruric. Ep. 2.49 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.10 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 172–4, Heinzelmann 557
Aquilinus v.c. M/L V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Grandson of Decimius Rusticus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 125, PCBE 4, 175, Stroheker 146, Heinzelmann 557
Araneola c.f. M/L V Gaul, Narbonne? Roman Nicene Christian Great-granddaughter of the consul Agricola, daughter of the consul Magnus, sister of Magnus Felix and Probus, wife of Polemius; Sidonius presented their epithalamium (praefatio epithalamii dicti Polemio et Araneolae) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 14.1, 15; letters/poems received: Carm. 14–15 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 126, PCBE 4, 176, Stroheker 146–7, Heinzelmann 557
Arbogastes v.c. Comes civitatis Trevirorum 477 Gaul, Trier Frank Nicene Christian Comes civitatis Trevirorum; he asked Sidonius for scriptural exegesis (and thus must have been Christian) and got a fl attering response; also received an extant metrical letter from Auspicius of Toul, who described him as clarus genere (MGH Epp. 3.135–7) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.17; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.17 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 128, PCBE 4, 178–9, Heinzelmann 558
Arvandus v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 464–8 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Twice praefectus praetorio Galliarum c. 464–8; in 468/9 accused of colluding with the Visigoths and Burgundians, and perhaps also of conspiring to seize the throne, in a trial before the senate; convicted and sentenced to death, but by 469 this had been commuted to exile (Cass. Chron. s.a. 469 Arabundus imperium temptans iussu Anthemii exilio deportatur); Sidonius’ sympathy for him apparently led to some hard feelings (invidia) between him and the Gauls who prosecuted him (Tonantius Ferreolus, Petronius, and Sidonius’ uncle Thaumastus) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 157–8, Stroheker 148–9, Heinzelmann 561, Harries (1992), Pietrini (2015), de Luca (2017)
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Fl. Eugenius Asellus v.i. Comes sacrarum largitionum 468/9 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Given custody of his friend Arvandus during the latter’s treason trial in Rome Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 164
Fl. Astyrius v.i. Consul 449 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Entered offi ce as consul at Arles in 449, with Sidonius present and Sidonius’ father, the praefectus praetorio Galliarum, presiding Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.6.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 174–5
Athenius v.i. 461 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Attended Majorian’s banquet in Arles, a homo litium temporumque varietatibus exercitatus. If the mention of lites refers to accusations or lawsuits, he may have been a legal expert Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 178, Heinzelmann 562
Gregorius Attalus v.c. Comes civitatis 465/505 Gaul, Autun Roman Nicene Christian In reply to a letter, Sidonius recalled their old friendship (familiari vetusto) and congratulated Attalus on his appointment as comes civitatis Augustodunensis; he suggested they exchange benefi - cia; in offi ce for forty years, then bishop of Langres (Greg. Tur. VPat. 7.1) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.18; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.18 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 179–80, PCBE 4, 910–4, Stroheker 178–9, Heinzelmann 563
Attila regalis Rex 434–54 Dacia Hun Pagan Invaded Belgica; described as the Rheni hostem; defeated through the efforts of Eparchius Avitus and Tonantius Ferreolus; Sidonius turned down Prosper of Orléans’ invitation to write a history of the Attilae bellum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.327, Ep. 7.12.3, 8.15.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 182–3, Heinzelmann 563
Castalius Innocentius Audax v.i. Praefectus urbi Romae 474/5 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Praefectus urbi 474; of praefectorian ancestry Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.7; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 184
Aurelius Augustinus v.i. Bishop L IV/E V Africa, Hippo Roman Nicene Christian Rhetor of Milan, then bishop of Hippo; in a list of famous writers; his works were in the library of Tonantius Ferreolus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.4, 4.03.7, 9.2.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 186–91
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Decimius Magnus Ausonius v.i. Consul M/L IV Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian A rhetor and poet who rose high in the imperial administration; consul in 379 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.14.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 140–1, PCBE 4, 287–97, Stroheker 150–2, Heinzelmann 565, Sivan (1993)
Auspicia c.f. E V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Grandmother (avia Auspicia) of Aper and Frontina; married to Fronto; raised Aper after his mother’s death Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 203, PCBE 4, 298, Stroheker 152, Heinzelmann 566
Auspicius v.i. Bishop 477 Gaul, Toul Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of Toul, commended by Sidonius to Arbogastes, count of Trier, to whom he wrote an extant metrical letter; Sidonius spoke of the confl ictantium procella regnorum that interfered with their communication; see MGH Epp. 3.135–7 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.17.3, 7.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.11 Bibliography: PCBE 300–1, Heinzelmann 566, Mathisen 367–8
Auxanius v.c. Abbot 468–78 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian From a praefectorian family; at Rome with Sidonius in 468/9 as part of the ‘Arvernian delega- tion’ where he tried to assist Arvandus; later abbot of St Abraham’s monastery in the Auvergne Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.6–7, 7.17.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 203–4, PCBE 4, 310, Stroheker 152, Heinzelmann 566
Gennadius Avienus v.i. Consul 467–8 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Consul in 450; patron of Sidonius in Rome Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.9.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 193–4
Avitus v.c. Tribunus et notarius 455/71 Gaul, Cottion Roman Nicene Christian Relative, perhaps a cousin, of Sidonius; they both received advancement under Eparchius Avitus and Majorian (isdem . . . principibus evecti stipendiis perfuncti sumus), so was at least a tribunus et notarius; they also engaged in an actionum multitudo together; negotiated with the Visigoths in 471; he and his sister bestowed the estate Cuticiacum, inherited from another sister, on the church of Clermont; received an inheritance from Nicetius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.75, Ep. 3.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 194–5, PCBE 4, 241–2, Stroheker 154, Heinzelmann 567–8
Eparchius Avitus Augustus 455–6 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian
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Subject of a panegyric by Sidonius; native of the Auvergne, descendant of the patrician Phila- grius, father of Agricola, Ecdicius, and Papianilla the wife of Sidonius, related to Magnus Felix and Priscus Valerianus. The name of his son might suggest that his father was Agricola, consul in 421, which would help to explain his precocity in offi ce. According to his panegyric, he served as envoy to Constantius c. 420, to gain a reduction in taxes; campaigned in the 430s with Aëtius in Gaul against the Burgundians, after which he was granted the rank of inlus- tris; it may have been at this time, in the mid-430s when Theoderic II was still a child, that Avitus undertook a mission to induce Theoderic I to lift a siege of Narbonne, which may have infl uenced his appointment as praefectus praetorio Galliarum in 439, after the Visigothic defeat of Litorius, when he undertook a diplomatic mission to renew the treaty; in 451 sent as a private person by Aëtius as an envoy to the Goths to raise their support against Attila; made magister militum in 455 by Petronius Maximus, who sent him as a legate to Toulouse. At this point of the panegyric, Sidonius has Avitus say: ‘After three terms of imperial service I then administered the proud peak of the prefecture, in a fourth culmination’ (militiae post munia trina superbum / praefecturae apicem quarto iam culmine rexi), but without specifying what those three earlier functions were. One, presumably, was a military offi ce, perhaps comes rei militaris, that preceded his appointment as inlustris. If he followed a standard career trajectory for that period, such as that of Sidonius’ father, he would have had a fi rst appointment as tribunus et notarius under Honorius. But his unusual combination of secular and military career makes it diffi cult to infer what the fourth offi ce might have been. After the death of Maximus, Avitus was made emperor with Visigothic support in 455 but deposed by Ricimer and Majorian in 456/7; died forsaken by the Visigoths (Hydat. Chron. s.a. 457) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 6, 7.161, 220, 23.430, Ep. 1.3.1, 1.11.7; letters/poems received: Carm. 6, 7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 196–8, Stroheker 152–4, Heinzelmann 567, Mathisen 368, Mathisen (1979b, 1981c, 1985), Gosserez (2009), Furbetta (2011), Green (2016), Hanaghan (2017a)
Basilius v.i. Bishop M/L IV East, Caesarea Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7
Basilius v.i. Bishop 470s Gaul, Aix Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of Aix, member of embassy to Euric in 474–5; Sidonius referred to their amicitiarum vetera iura and observed his debate with the Homoian Modaharius; see Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.25 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.6 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 318–19, Heinzelmann 570, Mathisen 368
Fl. Caecina Decius Basilius patricius Consul 467–8 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Consul in 463; patron of Sidonius in Rome Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.9.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 216–17
Bigerrus v.c. 461 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian
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A friend of Paeonius; the two of them quoted from Sidonius’ ‘satire’ at Arles Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 230, Heinzelmann 571
Bonifatius patricius Magister militum 432 Africa, Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Followed by an anonymous poet of Cahors; killed during civil war with Aëtius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.277–88 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 237–40, Heinzelmann 572
Burco v.s. Comes rei militaris 457 Italy Roman Nicene Christian Sent by Majorian, defeated 900 Alamannic raiders in Italy: Burconem . . . exigua comitante manu Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.375–9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 242–3
Burgundio v.c. 477/482 Gaul, Clermont? Roman Nicene Christian Called fi li amantissime; he and Sidonius had both been ill; Sidonius said that he would be studying with the senatoria iuventas of Rome if travel conditions permitted; he had already delivered one declamation and was preparing another about Julius Caesar; Sidonius also sent him palindromes Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.14; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.14 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 243, PCBE 4, 377, Stroheker 157, Heinzelmann 572, Henke (2007)
Caelestius clericalis Cleric L V Gaul, Langres Roman Nicene Christian Frater noster; a cleric of Aprunculus of Langres who, on a trip from Béziers to Langres, acquired letters of transfer for a certain Iniuriosus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.10.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 380
Calminius v.c. Soldier 471/4 Gaul, Aquitania Roman Nicene Christian Fought alongside the Visigoths in their attacks on Clermont: ad arbitrium terroris alieni vos loricae, nos propugnacula tegunt (Ep. 5.12.1) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.12 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 412, Stroheker 159, Heinzelmann 573, Mathisen 368–9
Camillus v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 450s-460s Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Nephew of Magnus, cousin of Magnus Felix, at banquet in Arles with Majorian in 461; he had held duae dignitates, one of which must have been praetorian prefect of Gaul (probably) or Italy, given that he outranked Paeonius; see Ennod. Ep. 4.25 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.8, Ep. 1.11.10–11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 255, Stroheker 160, Heinzelmann 573–4
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Campanianus v.s. 468 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Recommended the praefectus annonae, a sodalis vetus, to Sidonius, who asked to be recom- mended in return; his rank suggests that he had held an imperial offi ce Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 255
Candidianus v.c. 468 Italy, Ravenna Roman Nicene Christian A native of Cesena in northeastern Italy, but now ‘in exile’ in Ravenna; Sidonius called himself necessarius tuus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.8; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 257
Caprasius clericalis Monk E V Gaul, Lérins Roman Nicene Christian Monk of Lérins Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.110 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 420–1, Heinzelmann 574
Catullinus v.i. Tribunus et notarius 455/62 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Served with Sidonius in Italy (commilitio . . . peregrinatio) under Eparchius Avitus (not Majorian, as PLRE) in 455, probably as tribunus et notarius; Sidonius declined to write him an epithalamium; he praised Sidonius’ ‘satire’ Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 12, Ep. 1.11.3; letters/poems received: Carm. 12 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 272–3, PCBE 4, 445, Stroheker 160, Heinzelmann 576
Censurius v.i. Bishop 471/4 Gaul, Auxerre Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius asked him to assist a refugee deacon who was fl eeing Gothic depraedatio with his family; dedicatee of the Vita Germani of Constantius of Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.10 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 450–1, Heinzelmann 577
Chariobaudus v.s. Abbot 475/6 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Sent a letter of consolation to Sidonius during his exile (peregrini curas amici litteris mitigas consolatoriis), so perhaps from southern Gaul; called in Christo patrone Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.16; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.16 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 463
Chilpericus patricius Rex 474 Gaul, Lyon Burgundian Homoian Christian Son of Gundioc, brother of Gundobad, Godegisel, and Godomar, married to Caretena, father of Crona and Chlotilda, the wife of Clovis; patricius et magister militum 473–4, and then king of the Burgundians; called tetrarcham nostrum by Sidonius; murdered by Gundobad
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.6.2, 5.7.1, 6.12.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 286–7, Heinzelmann 580
Mamertus Claudianus clericalis Priest 460s-470s Gaul, Vienne Roman Nicene Christian Authored the only letter in the corpus not written by Sidonius (4.2); as Sidonius and Clau- dianus were bound by the leges amicitiae, Claudianus complained because Sidonius had not acknowledged his De statu animae, which was dedicated to Sidonius; Sidonius apologised and praised the work. In the dedicatory letter of De statu animae, Sidonius is addressed praefectorio patricio . . . Sollio Sidonio, dating it to after 468, but in the epilogue, Sidonius is venerandus vir, meaning that over the course of the transcription he has become bishop. Sidonius then lent the De statu animae to Nymphidius. Claudianus is also author of an extant letter to the rhetor Sapaudus (CSEL 11, 205–8) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.2.1, 4.3,5.2.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 481–4, Heinzelmann 585, Mathisen 378, Styka (2014), Mascoli (2015)
Cloio (Chlodio, Chlogio) regalis Rex 447 Gaul, Arras Frank Pagan Attacked Arras in Belgica (Cloio . . . Atrebatum terras pervaserat), then defeated by Majorian at battle of Vicus Helena Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.212 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 290–1 (‘Clogio’), Heinzelmann 582
Consentius v.c. Sophista E V Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian A poet, called a sophista; married a descendant of the consul of 367 Fl. Jovinus; father of Con- sentius; author of two extant works, Ars de duabus partibus orationis, nomine et verbo and Ars de barbarismis et metaplasmis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.33, 98, 170–7, Ep. 9.15.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 308, Stroheker 161–2, Heinzelmann 586
Consentius v.s. Cura palatii 455/6 Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Son of Consentius, descendant of the consul Jovinus; before 450, as tribunus et notarius under Valentinian III, he was sent to Constantinople as an interpreter; welcomed intra aulam soceri mei (Eparchius Avitus) and made cura palatii; had a villa called the ager Octavianus near Narbonne and Béziers: Sidonius advised him to enter the church (palam religiosus); praised for his Greek epic poetry Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.2, 98, 176, 230, 430, etc., Ep. 8.4, 9.15.1 (Carm. 40.22); letters/poems received: Carm. 23 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 308–10, PCBE 4, 511-12, Stroheker 162, Heinzelmann 586
Constans plebeius Lector 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian One of Sidonius’ lectors, he lost a letter that Sidonius had sent to his cousins Apollinaris and Simplicius at Vaison
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.12.2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 513
Constantinus I Augustus Emperor r. 306–37 Dacia, Gaul Roman Nicene Christian A poem of Ablabius discussed his murder of his wife Fausta and son Crispus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.8.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 223–4, Heinzelmann 587, Stoehr-Monjou (2012)
Fl. Claudius Constantinus III Augustus Emperor 407–11 Britain, Gaul/Arles Roman Nicene Christian Abhorred by Sidonius’ and Aquilinus’ grandfathers for his inconstantia, play on his name Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 316–17, PCBE 4, 517, Heinzelmann 587, Drinkwater (1998)
Constantius v.c. Priest 460s-470s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Described as nobilitate sublimis; an orator and poet, he wrote verses for the basilica at Lyon; dedicatee of the fi rst seven books of letters; visited Clermont during the crisis of the early 470s; author of the Vita Germani Autissiodorensis dedicated to Censurius of Auxerre Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.1, 2.10.3, 3.2, 7.18, 8.16, 9.16.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.1, 3.2, 7.18, 8.16 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 320, PCBE 4, 521–2, Stroheker 162, Heinzelmann 587
Fl. Constantius III Augustus Emperor r. 421 Dacia Roman Nicene Christian Negotiated with Eparchius Avitus about tax relief Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.211 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 321–5, Heinzelmann 587, Lütkenhaus (1998)
Crispus Caesar Caesar r. 317–26 Dacia, Serdica Roman Nicene Christian A poem of Ablabius discussed Crispus’ murder by Constantine Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.8.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 233, Heinzelmann 588
Crocus v.i. Bishop 470/5 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of an unknown see exiled by Euric Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.6.9 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 533, Heinzelmann 588
Claudius Postumus Dardanus patricius Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 412–13 Gaul, Theopolis Roman Nicene Christian Brother of Claudius Lepidus, married to Naevia Galla; praefectus praetorio Galliarum 412–13; murdered the Gallic emperor Jovinus (411-13); then retreated to an estate near Sisteron called
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‘Theopolis’; Sidonius’ grandfather Apollinaris detested in Dardano crimina; corresponded with Jerome (Ep. 129: 414 CE) and Augustine (Ep. 187: 417 CE) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.1. Bibliography: PLRE 2, 346–7, PCBE 4, 548–50, Stroheker 162–3, Heinzelmann 590
Attius Tiro Delphidius v.c. Rhetor M IV Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Pagan Abundantia Delphidii; in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 246, PCBE 4, 551–2, Heinzelmann 591
Desideratus v.c. 460s Gaul, Auvergne? Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius sent him a copy of his epitaph for Philomathia and asked him to visit Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.8; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 355, PCBE 4, 556, Heinzelmann 591
Domitius v.c. Rhetor 461/7 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian A teacher (discipulis . . . exponere . . . ordiris); based on his association with the muses (Carm. 24.10), probably a rhetor rather than a grammaticus. Sidonius sent him a description of Avitacum and invited him to come for a long visit Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.10, Ep. 2.2; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 371, PCBE 4, 584, Heinzelmann 592, Visser (2014)
Domnicius v.c. 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius composed for him a description of the arrival of the prince (regium iuvenem) Sigismer Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.20, 5.17.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.20 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 372, PCBE 4, 585, Stroheker 164, Heinzelmann 592
Domnulus v.i. Quaestor sacri palatii 458 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Discussed a composition of Petrus in Lyon (not Arles, as PLRE) in 458 with Sidonius, Dom- nulus, and Severianus; visited monasteries in the Jura Mountains. See Vita Hil. Arel. 14; per- haps the Fl. Rusticius Helpidius Domnulus who copied manuscripts at Ravenna, and/or the Domnulus noster cited in Ep. 36 of Avitus of Vienne Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 14.ep. 2, Ep. 4.25, 9.13.4, 9.15.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.25 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 374–5, 537, PCBE 4, 591–2, Stroheker 164, Heinzelmann 593
Donidius v.s. 460s-470s Gaul, Nîmes Roman Nicene Christian Called vir spectabilis, suggesting that he had held imperial offi ce; Sidonius apologised for being late for a visit at Nîmes; he also asked Hypatius’ assistance in recovering from a patrician family (domus patriciae) half (medietas) of Donidius’ paternal estate Eborolacum (perhaps in the Auvergne), which was etiam ante barbaros desolatam (perhaps referring to the Visigothic raids
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c. 471/4) and which may have been improperly alienated in the will of his stepfather (obitum vitrici). This freed Sidonius from awkward litigation with a family that he surely knew, perhaps that of Ommatius. Sidonius also commended the ‘client and slaves’ of Donidius, described as venerabilis dignus inter spectatissimos . . . numerari, to a bishop Theoplastus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9, 3.5.1–2, 6.5.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 376, PCBE 4, 594, Stroheker 164, Heinzelmann 593, Lucht (2011)
Latinius Pacatus Drepanius v.i. Comes rei privatae 389/93 Gaul, Thrace/Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Native of Agen (Nitiobroges); a poet; delivered a panegyric on Theodosius I in 389 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11.1–2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 272, Heinzelmann 593
Ecdicius patricius Magister militum L V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Son of Eparchius Avitus, brother of Papianilla and Agricola; in a poem and a letter Sidonius mentions Ecdicius’ birthday; had a military career as a local warlord: c. 471, Sidonius asked him to return and rescue the Arvernians from Seronatus (te expectat palpitantium civium extrema libertas); shortly thereafter Ecdicius broke through besieging Visigoths with eighteen mounted comrades; Sidonius later again asked him to come to the rescue (nunc maxume Arvernis meis desideraris); in 474 he was made patrician by Nepos, but in 475 he was summoned to Italy after Nepos abandoned the Auvergne; some evidence suggests he may have remained there (Cass. Var. 2.4) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 20, Ep. 2.1, 2.2.15, 3.3, 5.16.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.1, 3.3, Carm. 20 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 383–5, PCBE 4, 607–9, Stroheker 165, Heinzelmann 594, Giannotti (2002)
Elaphius v.c. 471/5 Gaul, Rodez Roman Nicene Christian Owned a castellum in the mountains near Rodez, where he had built a baptistery; Sidonius suggested that in better times, Elaphius might become a bishop: Rodez was in Sidonius’ list of cities where Euric had prohibited new episcopal ordinations (Ep. 7.6.7); the letters of Ruricius (Ep. 2.7), however, show that Elaphius became a high-ranking Visigothic offi cial instead; see Ruric. Ep. 2.7 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.15; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.15 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 387, PCBE 4, 619–20, Stroheker 166, Heinzelmann 594–5, Boudar- tchouk (2006)
Eleutherius v.i. Bishop 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of an unknown see, to whom Sidonius commended a Jew Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.11 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 620–1, Heinzelmann 595
Eminentius vir honestissimus Decurion 477 Gaul, Trier Roman Nicene Christian
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Called an amicus of Arbogastes, count of Trier, and thus perhaps at least of curialis rank, espe- cially if he is identifi ed as the Eminentius (a rare name) mentioned in Ep. 15 (MGH 3) of Faustus of Riez to Paulinus of Bordeaux: fi lium meum Eminentium . . . paterno sospitamus affectu; he delivered a letter to Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.17.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 628, Heinzelmann 595, Mathisen 371
Epiphanius plebeius Scribe 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Called Epiphanius noster, the scribe of Philomathius; copied Sidonius’ epigram at the church of St Justus in Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.17.10 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 638
Eriphius v.c. 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Son-in-law of Philomathius; husband of Philomathia; an invalid: after Philomathia’s death Sidonius described him as debilis, suggesting it would have been better if he had died instead; Sidonius also described for him a gathering at the church of St Justus in Lyon because he had been ill and could not attend; he asked Sidonius to write parabolice seu fi gurate about an unnamed person who had not responded well to times of good fortune Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.8.1–3, 5.17; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.17 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 400, PCBE 4, 642, Stroheker 167, Heinzelmann 597
Eucherius v.c. Bishop 434–49 Gaul, Lérins/Lyon Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus; monk of Lérins, bishop of Lyon; author of extant De laude heremi ad Hilarium Lirinensem presbyterum epistula, Formulae spiritalis intelligentiae ad Veranum liber unus, Instructionum ad Salonium libri duo, Epistula paraenetica ad Valerianum cognatum de contemptu mundi et saecularis philosophiae, Passio Acaunensium martyrum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.115, Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 405, PCBE 4, 653–8, Stroheker 168, Heinzelmann 598, Barcellona (2008)
Eucherius v.i. c. 469/70 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Described as inlustris; Sidonius suggested that the government owed him recognition; an unsuccessful candidate for bishop of Bourges because he was twice married; murdered by Victorius; see Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.20 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.8, 7.9.18; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 406, PCBE 4, 658–9, Stroheker 168, Heinzelmann 598
Eulalia c.f. M/L V Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Paternal cousin of Sidonius (Eulaliae meae), wife of Probus (soror mihi quae uxor tibi . . . patruelis non germana fraternitas); the daughter of the elder Thaumastus, and sister of the brothers Thau- mastus, Apollinaris, and Simplicius
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.95, Ep. 3.11.1–2, 4.1.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 418, PCBE 4, 684, Stroheker 169, Heinzelmann 600
Aelia Marcia Euphemia Augusta L V Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Marcian (natam . . . Euphemiam), wife of Anthemius, mother of Alypia and four sons Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.195–6, 482 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 423–4
Euphronius v.i. Bishop 470 Gaul, Autun Roman Nicene Christian Assisted Patiens and Sidonius at the ordination of Iohannes as bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône; author, with Lupus of Troyes, of a letter ‘Commonitorium quod’: Munier (1963) 140–1 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.25.5, 7.8, 9.2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 669–72
Euricus regalis Rex 466–85 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Son of Theoderic II, married to Ragnahilda, father of Alaric II; murdered his brother Theod- eric II and became king of the Visigoths in 466 (for 467, see Gillett (1999)); engaged in the treasonous correspondence of Arvandus in 468; exiled Nicene bishops and prevented new ordinations; launched attacks on Clermont; exiled Sidonius in 475 but then recalled him; called Evarix rex Gothorum and addressed as Eorice Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.5, 4.8.1, 5 (Carm. 29), 4.22.3, 7.6.4, 8.3.3, 8.9.1, 5 (Carm. 35) Bibliography: PLRE 2, 427–8, Heinzelmann 601, Stroheker (1937)
Eusebius v.i. Bishop E/M IV East, Caesarea Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: De Cicco (2014)
Eusebius v.c. Rhetor 440s-450s Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian An artifex dialecticus, taught philosophy to Sidonius and Probus; a literary friend of Hilary of Arles (VHilarii 12) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.1.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 430, PCBE 4, 699, Heinzelmann 602 (bis), De Cicco (2014)
Eustachius v.i. Bishop 460s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Patron of Amantius (Eustachii cura), he and others at Marseille admitted Amantius to their circle Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.4, 9; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 708–9
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Eutropia c.f. 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Described as venerabilis Eutropia matrona; a widow whose son and grandson had also died; her daughter-in-law preferred to live with her rather than with her father, the presbyter Agrip- pinus, who had instituted a lis (lawsuit) probably regarding the inheritance from his deceased son; Sidonius had amicitia with both disputants but had failed to reconcile them Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.2.1–4 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 716, Heinzelmann 604, Mathisen 372
Eutropius v.i. Bishop 471/4 Gaul, Orange Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius sent him a letter, at a time when the Visigoths had ceased ambushing travellers, citing the itineris longitudine; see Vita s. Eutropii episcopi Arausicensis: Var in (1849) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.6 BibliographyPCBE 4, 719–23, Heinzelmann 604, Mathisen 372
Eutropius v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 470 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian From a senatorial family (senatorii seminis homo, parentum nobilitate); his consular ancestors (trabe- atis proavorum) included the Sabini familia, perhaps including Antonius Caecina Sabinus, consul in 316, and note a Sabinus introduced to Symmachus (Ep. 3.49) by the historian Eutropius, a native of Bordeaux and consul in 387; Sidonius recalled their past goverment service (veteris commilitii) under Eparchius Avitus (455–6), when he offered to help him acquire a palatine offi ce (ad capessenda militiae palatinae munia); in 470 Eutropius became praefectus praetorio Gal- liarum; he enjoyed studying philosophy (Plotini dogmatibus, Epicuri dogmatibus) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.6, 3.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.6, 3.6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 444–5, PCBE 4, 723–4, Stroheker 171, Heinzelmann 604
Evanthius v.c. Praeses Aquitaniae Primae? 469 Gaul, Clausetia Roman Nicene Christian Repaired roads near Clausetia for Seronatus’ trip to the Auvergne; his duties suggest he was a provincial governor (Clausetiam pergit Evanthius iamque contractas operas cogit) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.13.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 403, Stroheker 171, Heinzelmann 605
Evodius v.c. 466–9 Gaul, Aquitania Roman Nicene Christian Referred to as domine frater; was summoned to Toulouse by King Euric, asked Sidonius for a poem to inscribe on a silver bowl for Queen Ragnahilda, whose cliens he was; presumably a resident of the Visigothic kingdom Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.8; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 421–2, PCBE 4, 694, Stroheker 171, Heinzelmann 605
Explicius v.c. Advocatus 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian An arbitrator (arbiter) asked by Sidonius to settle a quarrel between Alethius and Paulus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.7; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 447, PCBE 4, 726, Heinzelmann 605–6
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Fausta Augusta d. 326 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian A poem of Ablabius discusses her murder by Constantine (extinxerat coniugem Faustam) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.8.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 325–6, Moreno Resano (2015)
Faustinus v.c. Priest 450s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian A very old friend of Sidonius (veteris contubernii sodalitate), so probably a native of Lyon; described as domi nobilis and called meus frater natalium parilitate; carried letters to Sidonius’ cousins Apollinaris and Simplicius; delivered a verbal message to Apollinaris to behave himself in troubled times Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.4.1, 4.6.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 450, PCBE 4, 734, Stroheker 172, Heinzelmann 607
Faustus v.i. Bishop M/L V Britain, Gaul/Lérins/Riez Roman Nicene Christian A native of Britain or Brittany. Might have infl uenced Sidonius to become a cleric; partici- pated at a church dedication in Lyon and went on an embassy with Graecus, Basilius, and Leontius to Euric in 474/475; in c. 470 Sidonius intercepted a copy of his De spiritu sancto that the priest Riochatus was delivering to ‘his Britanni’ (Riochatus antistes ac monachus . . . Britannis tuis pro te reportat); also author of an extant De gratia, letters, and sermons; instrumental in the conversion of Ruricius of Limoges: see Ruric. Ep. 1.1–2. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16, Ep. 7.6.10, 9.3, 9.9; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.3, 9.9, Carm. 16 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 734–44, Heinzelmann 607, Mathisen 372–3, Engelbrecht (1890), Weigel (1938), Neri (2011)
Magnus Felix patricius Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 469 Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Of patrician descent from Philagrius; son of Magnus, brother of Probus, sister Araneola, cousin Camillus, wife Attica; Sidonius congratulated him on being made a patrician, but also com- plained about Felix’ silence annis multis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.1–2, 24.91, Ep. 2.3, 3.4, 4.5, 4.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.3, 3.4, 4.5, 4.10, Carm. 9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 463–4, PCBE 4, 749–51, Stroheker 172, Heinzelmann 607–8
Ferreolus v.c. Tribunus E IV Gaul, Vienne Roman Christian A martyred comrade of St Julianus; Mamertus translated his body c. 470 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.1.7 Bibliography: Heinzelmann 608
Tonantius Ferreolus v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 451/68 Gaul, Nîmes/Rodez Roman Nicene Christian Of patrician descent, perhaps (like Eparchius Avitus, Magnus Felix, and Polemius) from Phi- lagrius, his ancestors had received triumphalibus adoreis (‘triumphal rewards for valour’) and
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included, in particular, his maternal grandfather Syagrius, consul in 382; married to Papianilla, father of Tonantius; praefectus praetorio Galliarum c. 451/3, described as vir praefectorius; had estates at Prusianum near Nîmes and Trevidon near Rodez; as a ‘legate of the province’, one of the prosecutors of Arvandus in Rome in 468/9; Sidonius urged him to become a bishop, making his famous assertion: praestantior secundum bonorum sententiam computatur honorato max- imo minimus religiosus; had a Jewish client Gozolas Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.34, Ep. 1.7.4, 9, 2.9.1–9, 7.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.12 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 465–6, PCBE 4, 762–4, Stroheker 173, Heinzelmann 608
Fidulus v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Compared to Tetradius; lived south of Avitus of Cottion Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.80 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 769, Heinzelmann 608, Mathisen 373
Firminus v.c. 475–80 Gaul, Arles? Roman Nicene Christian Called domine fi li; invited Sidonius to write a ninth book (nonus libellus) of letters; a friend of Gelasius and of Sidonius’ son Apollinaris (Apollinaris tuus). Perhaps to be identifi ed with Firminus of Arles (VCaesarii 1.8) and/or with Firminus, a relative of Ennodius of Pavia (Ennod. Ep. 1.8, 2.7) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.1, 9.16; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.1, 9.16 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 471, PCBE 4, 771/771–2, Stroheker 174, Heinzelmann 609, Con- dorelli (2015)
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus v.i. Consul 394 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Praefectus praetorio Italiae 390/4 and consul in 394; translated Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius the Pythagorean, which work in turn was revised by Tascius Victorianus, whose version was revised by Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.3.1 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 347–9, Prchlík (2007), Cameron (2011) 546–54
Florentinus v.c. 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius visited him; the shortest letter in the corpus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.19; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.19 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 784, Heinzelmann 610, Mathisen 373
Fonteius v.i. Bishop 469/70 Gaul, Vaison Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius recalled that Fonteius always had been a familiae meae validissimum . . . patronum; subsequently, Vindicius praised him to Sidonius; he gave his blessing to Sidonius’ cousins Simplicius and Apollinaris Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.7, 7.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.7, 7.4 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 798–801
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Fortunalis v.i. 478/82 Spain, Iberia Roman Nicene Christian Described as amicitiae columen . . . Hibericarum decus inlustre regionum and as being ‘constant in adversity’ Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.5; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 482
Frontina c.f. M V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Fronto and Auspicia, aunt of Aper; a pious Christian: sanctior sanctis Frontina vir- ginibus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 486, PCBE 4, 832, Stroheker 176, Heinzelmann 611
Fronto v.c. 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Grandfather of Aper, married to Auspicia; perhaps the Fronto sent by Avitus to the Suevi in 455; see Hyd. Chron. s.a. 452 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 486, PCBE 4, 832, Stroheker 176, Heinzelmann 612
Fulgentius v.i. Quaestor sacri palatii 455? Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian A good friend of Petronius Maximus; praised by Sidonius for achieving high offi ce on account of his own merits Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.13.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 487, PCBE 4, 845, Stroheker 176, Heinzelmann 612
Gallicinus v.i. Bishop 475/480 Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian The muse Thalia is asked to visit the limen of bishop Gallicinus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11.3 (Carm. 35.39) Bibliography: PCBE 4, 845
Gallus vir honestissimus Decurion 470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian Described as a vir honestus, hence perhaps a decurion; he had left his wife and moved to Cler- mont; he obeyed bishop Lupus of Troyes’ order to return to his wife and carried Sidonius’ letter Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.9.1–2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 849
Gaudentius v.c. M V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Son of Fl. Aëtius and Pelagia, called parvus Gaudentius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.203–5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 494–5, Heinzelmann 613
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Gaudentius v.s. Vicarius septem provinciarum 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Overcame his undistinguished family origins to become a tribunus et notarius and then a vicarius (probably septem provinciarum); given money by Sidonius to put up a tombstone for the latter’s grandfather Apollinaris Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.3.2, 1.4, 3.12.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 494–5, PCBE 4, 856, Stroheker 177, Heinzelmann 613
Gelasius v.c. 477/82 Gaul, Arles? Roman Nicene Christian Called Gelasium . . . benignissimum; a friend of Tonantius and Firminus (Ep. 9.13, 15, 16, seem to have been sent south together); Sidonius sent him hendecasyllables and mentioned some of the same people (Petrus, Domnulus, Severianus) as in the letter sent to Tonantius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.15, 9.16.3; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.15 Bibliography: Heinzelmann 613, Mathisen 374
Genesius plebeius 470/4 Gaul, Vaison Roman Nicene Christian A client of Sidonius’ cousin Apollinaris, whom Sidonius asked to look into damna infl icted on his letter carrier per Genesium vestrum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.6.4 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 864
Germanicus v.s. 410/69 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Son of a bishop and father of priest; Sidonius praised him in a letter to Vettius; he had invited Sidonius to inspect the church at Cantilia (Chantelle-la-Vieille); Sidonius asked Vettius, with whom Germanicus enjoyed the iura amicitiae, to persuade him to adopt the professio religionis; his rank suggests that he had held an imperial offi ce Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.13.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 504, PCBE 4, 877, Stroheker 177, Heinzelmann 615
Germanus v.s. Bishop 418–46 Gaul, Auxerre Roman Nicene Christian Prosper of Orléans was declared to be the equal of Germanus, who had been dux tractus Armoricani before being named bishop of Auxerre. His life was written by Constantius of Lyon; see Vita s. Germani episcopi Autessiodorensis: W. Levison, ed., MGH SRM 7 (Hanover, 1920), 225–83 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.15.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 504–5, PCBE 4, 878–83, Stroheker 177–8, Heinzelmann 615–16, Thompson (1984)
Gerontius v.i. Magister militum 407/11 Britain Roman Nicene Christian Abhorred by Sidonius’ and Aquilinus’ grandfathers for his perfi dia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 508, Heinzelmann 616
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Gnatho v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian A fi ctitious stock character full of vices who appears in a letter to Sidonius’ son Apollinaris Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.13.1
Gozolas plebeius 470s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Jewish Client (cliens culminis tui) and letter carrier of Magnus Felix Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.4.1, 4.5.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 905
Graecus v.i. Bishop 470s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius told him the Amantius story, and about the threats of Visigothic attacks; served on the episcopal embassy on behalf of Julius Nepos in 474 that surrendered the Auvergne to the Visigoths; had problems with some of his clerics (quorumpiam fratrum necessitate multos pertuleritis angores); author of an extant letter ‘Gratias domino’ to Ruricius of Limoges and recipient of an extant letter ‘Honoratus offi cio’ from Faustus of Riez. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.8, 7.2, 7.6.10, 7.7, 7.10, 9.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.8, 7.2, 7.7, 7.10, 9.4 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 906–7, Heinzelmann 618, Mathisen 374–5
Gratianensis v.i. 461 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Vir inlustris Gratianensis, attended Majorian’s banquet in Arles in 461 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 518, Stroheker 178, Heinzelmann 619
Gregorius v.i. Bishop M/L IV East, Nazianzus Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 404
Heliodorus plebeius 476/80 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian After his return from exile, Sidonius lamented that when fi lius meus Heliodorus returned from Narbonne he did not have a letter from Felix Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.10.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 968
Heronius v.c. 467 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Came from Rhodanusia, that is, Lyon; in 467, Sidonius sent him two letters from Rome describing his experiences on his journey Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.5, 1.9; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.5, 1.9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 552, PCBE 4, 979, Heinzelmann 623, Wolff (2012c)
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Hesperius v.c. Rhetor 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian A young friend with literary interests, described extravagantly as a vir magnifi cus; asked Sidonius to send some poems; visited Toulouse, where Leo told him to ask Sidonius to write history (converteremus ad stilum historiae); later a rhetor; see Ruric. Ep. 1.3–5 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.10, 4.22.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 552, Heinzelmann 623, Santelia (2007)
Hiberia c.f. M/L V Gaul, Auvergne/Limoges Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Ommatius, wife of Ruricius; received from Sidonius an epithalamium, intro- duced by a praefatio epithalamii dicti Ruricio et Hiberiae Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 10.0, 11.52; letters/poems received: Carm. 10, 11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 556, PCBE 4, 986–7, Stroheker 182, Heinzelmann 624, Santelia (2011), Filosini (2014a)
Hieronymus clericalis Priest L IV/E V Illyricum, Palestine/Bethlehem Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: Denecker (2015)
Hilarius v.i. Bishop M IV Gaul, Poitiers Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus; see Ven. Fort. Vita Hilarii Pictaviensis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 989–97, Stroheker 182, Heinzelmann 624
Hilarius v.c. Bishop 429–49 Gaul, Lérins/Arles Roman Nicene Christian Monk of Lérins, bishop of Arles; see Honorat. Massil. Vita s. Hilarii episcopi Arelatensis i n Cavallin (1952) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.115 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 998–1007, Stroheker 182–3, Heinzelmann 625, Mathisen 375, Mathisen (1979c)
Himerius vir honestissimus Decurion M V Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian Father of Sulpicius, grandfather of Himerius and perhaps likewise a curialis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.13.5 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1016, Heinzelmann 625
Himerius vir honestissimus Priest 470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian Son of Sulpicius; named after his grandfather (avum nomine); a priest (antistes); visited Lyon from Troyes; Sidonius praised him in conventional terms to Sulpicius; described as fi lius tuus and frater meus; the failure to discuss his origins suggests curial status
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.13.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1016, Heinzelmann 625
Hoenius v.c. Grammaticus M V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian In a list of distinguished writers; former teacher of Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.312 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 566, Heinzelmann 626
Honoratus v.c. Bishop 426–9 Gaul, Lérins/Arles Roman Nicene Christian Monk of Lérins, bishop of Arles; see Hil. Arel. Sermo de vita sancti Honorati in Cavallin (1952) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.112 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1017–23, Stroheker 183–4, Heinzelmann 626, Mathisen 376
Fl. Honorius Augustus Emperor 393–423 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian The fathers of Sidonius and Aquilinus served under him as tribuni et notarii Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 442
Hormidac nobilis Dux 460/7 Dacia Hun Pagan Called dux, raided Dacia and was defeated by Anthemius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.241 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 571
Hypatius v.c. Advocatus 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius asks Hypatius’ assistance in recovering from a patrician family half of Donidius’ paternal estate Eborolacum, which was etiam ante barbaros desolatam and which may have been improperly alienated in the will of Donidius’ recently deceased stepfather Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.5; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 577, PCBE 4, 1031, Heinzelmann 627
Industrius v.c. 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius wrote to him extolling the character of Vettius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.9; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.9 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1038, Heinzelmann 628, Mathisen 376
Iniuriosus plebeius 477/82 Gaul, Clermont/Langres Roman Nicene Christian A fugitive (fugitivus) parishioner who had fl ed from Clermont to Langres; Sidonius sent Aprun- culus a document of cession (vinculum cessionis) and ‘commendatory letters’ (litteris . . . com- mendatoriis) placing him under Aprunculus’ authority; he was not considered a famulus of either Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.10.1–2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1046
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Innocentius v.s. 470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian Native of Troyes; Lupus is asked to thank him (agite gratias Innocentio, spectabili viro) for attend- ing to Sidonius’ business there; his rank suggests that he had held an imperial offi ce Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.9.3. Bibliography: PLRE 2, 591, PCBE 4, 1049, Heinzelmann 629
Iohannes v.i. Bishop 470 Gaul, Chalon-sur-Saône Roman Nicene Christian A lector and archdeacon before succeeding Paulus as bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône, ordained by Patiens of Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.25.3–4 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1056, Heinzelmann 630
Iohannes v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Described as familiaris meus; involved in a lawsuit; Sidonius recommends him to Petronius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.5.1 Bibliography: Heinzelmann 629
Iohannes v.c. Grammaticus 478/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian A schoolteacher (tua schola) described as vir peritissime; he taught in a time of war (tempestate bellorum); to him Sidonius made his famous observation: iam remotis gradibus dignitatum, per quas solebat ultimo a quoque summus quisque discerni, solum erit posthac nobilitatis indicium litteras nosse Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.2; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 601, PCBE 4, 1060–2, Heinzelmann 629
Iohannes Chrysostomus v.i. Bishop L IV/E V Thrace, Antioch/Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7
Iovinus Augustus 411-13 Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Abhorred by Sidonius’ and Aquilinus’ grandfathers for his facilitas; murdered by Claudius Postumus Dardanus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 621–2, Stroheker 185–6, Heinzelmann 630
Fl. Iovinus v.i. Consul 367 Gaul, Reims Roman Nicene Christian Ancestor of the wife of Consentius; consul in 367 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.171–2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 462–3, PCBE 4, 1069, Stroheker 185, Heinzelmann 630
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Iulianus v.i. Bishop 475 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of an unknown see; Sidonius suggested that a new peace treaty (post pacis initam pactio- nem) would make it easier to exchange letters; probably the Iulianus at the Council of Arles, c. 470 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.5; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.5 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1076–7, Heinzelmann 631
Iulianus plebeius E IV Gaul, Vienne Roman Christian Said to have been beheaded at Brioude and his head taken to a praeses Crispinus at Vienne; c. 470 Mamertus of Vienne discovered the head; Sidonius referred to him as noster Iulianus and patronus noster because he came from the Auvergne; the emperor Avitus was said to have attempted to take refuge in his basilica after his deposition (basilica sancti Iuliani Arverni martyris cum multis muneribus expetivit), but he died on the journey, and was buried with the martyr (impleto in itinere vitae cursu, obiit, delatusque ad Brivatensem vicum, ad pedes antedicti martyris est sepultus) (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.11) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.1.7 Bibliography: Santelia (1999b)
Iustinus v.c. 460s Gaul, Javols Roman Nicene Christian Nephew of Victorius, brother of Sacerdos, with whom he received a joint letter; a landowner south of Javols Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.26–8, Ep. 5.21; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.21 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 648, PCBE 4, 1087, Heinzelmann 632
Iustus v.i. Bishop L IV Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Attended Council of Aquileia in 381, died in exile in Egypt and then sanctifi ed; the leading citizens of Lyon assembled at his church in the 460s Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.17.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1089
Iustus plebeius Physician 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Admitted to Sidonius’ contubernium by right of friendship ‘iura amicitiae); a physician who tended Sidonius’ daughter Severiana when she was ill; compared to Chiron Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.12.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1093, Heinzelmann 632
L. Caecilius Firmianus signo Lactantius v.c. Author E IV Africa, Asia/Nicomedia Roman Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 338
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Lampridius v.c. Rhetor 458–78 Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian In a list of distinguished writers; called Sidonius Phoebus; discussed a work of Petrus in Lyon (not Arles, as PLRE) in 458 with Sidonius, Domnulus, and Severianus; a client of Euric and a civis of the Visigothic kingdom; murdered by his slaves (occisus . . . pressus strangulatusque servorum manibus) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.314, Ep. 8.9, 8.11.3, 9.13.2, 9.13.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 656–7, PCBE 4, 1098–9, Heinzelmann 633, Wolff (2015c)
Leo v.c. Consiliarius 460/84 Gaul, Narbonne/Toulouse Roman Nicene Christian In a list of distinguished writers, said to be a descendant of the grammarian Fronto; described as doctiloquus; adviser of Visigothic kings (per potentissimi consilia regis); friend of Hesperius; asked Sidonius to write history, Sidonius declined and sent him a revised version of Tascius Victo- rianus’ revision of Nicomachus Flavianus’ translation of Philostratus’ Vita Apollonii; praised for Greek epic poetry Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.314, 14.ep. 2, 23.446, Ep. 4.22, 8.3, 9.13.2 (Carm. 36.20), 9.15.1 (Carm. 40.20); letters/poems received: Ep. 4.22, 8.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 662–3, PCBE 4, 1112–13, Stroheker 187, Heinzelmann 635
Leo Augustus Emperor 457–74 Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Augustus Leo, eastern emperor (princeps); described as an insignis vir; colleague (collega) of Majorian in 457 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.194, 212, 480, 5.388 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 663–4
Leontius v.i. Bishop 470/5 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius wrote to him not long after his own ordination commending the bearer of his letter; in 474 he went on an imperial embassy to Euric Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.3, 7.6.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1134–8, Heinzelmann 636, Mathisen 377
Pontius Leontius v.i. M/L V Gaul, Bordeaux/Burgus Roman Nicene Christian Descendant of Pontius Paulinus, father of Paulinus, friend of Trygetius; owner of the fortifi ed estate called Burgus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 22.194–6, Ep. 8.12.5; letters/poems received: Carm. 22 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 674, PCBE 4, 1138–9, Stroheker 188, Heinzelmann 636, Delhey (1991), Robert (2011)
Licinianus v.i. Quaestor sacri palatii 474 Italy, Ravenna Roman Nicene Christian Negotiated with the Visigoths; delivered to Gaul the codicils appointing Ecdicius as patricius et magister militum; Sidonius praised his character Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.7.2, 5.16.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 682, PCBE 4, 1175
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Limpidius v.c. 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Described as a magnifi cus civis, he had an unnamed brother; as v.c. Lympidius, along with a presbyter Proiectus, a deacon Venantius, the clerics Avitianus and Senator, a subdeacon Inno- centius, a v.i. Salutius, and a comitissa Glismoda, he contributed to the construction of a basilica of St. Felix at Narbonne in 455/6 (ILCV 1806) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.475 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 695, Stroheker 190, Heinzelmann 642
Litorius v.s. Comes rei militaris 437 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Commander of Hunnic auxiliaries who raided the Auvergne; captured and executed by Visigoths in 439 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.246 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 684–5, PCBE 4, 1183, Heinzelmann 639
Livia c.f. M V Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Pontius Leontius, of senatorial ancestry: prisco Livia quem dat e senatu Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11.3 (Carm. 35.33–4) Bibliography: PLRE 2, 685, Stroheker 189, Heinzelmann 639
Livius v.i. 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius refers to the tecta illustria . . . Livi; perhaps the poet Livius who praised Hilary of Arles (VHilarii 14). Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.445 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 685, PCBE 4, 1184–5, Stroheker 189, Heinzelmann 639
Lucontius v.c. 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius complains that Lucontius has been at his country estate too long; he was accompa- nied by their frater communis Volusianus, who took a family group all the way to his estate at Baiocasses (Bayeux) on the far side of Lugdunensis Secunda, some 450 miles (700 km) away; Sidonius sent him a poem he wrote at the request of bishop Perpetuus for the wall of the basilica of Tours. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.18; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.18 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 692, PCBE 4, 1189, Heinzelmann 640
Lupus v.i. Bishop 426–78 Gaul, Lérins/Troyes Roman Nicene Christian Described as primus omnium toto orbe pontifi cum; monk of Lérins and bishop of Troyes for over 50 years; commended to Arbogastes, count of Trier; Prosper of Orléans was declared to be his equal; author, with Euphronius of Autun, of the letter ‘Commonitorium quod’: Munier (1963) 140–1. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.111, Ep. 4.17.3, 6.1, 6.4, 6.9, 7.13.1, 8.14.1, 8.15.1, 9.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.1, 6.4, 6.9, 9.11 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1201–6, Heinzelmann 641, Mathisen 377–8, Mathisen (1979c)
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Lupus v.c. Rhetor 475/80 Gaul, Périgueux Roman Nicene Christian Native of Agen (Nitiobroges) on his father’s side and Périgueux (Vesunnici) on his wife’s; a rhetor who had a multiplex bibliotheca Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 694, PCBE 4, 1206–7, Heinzelmann 641
Magnus v.i. Consul 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Consul in 460; praised for his learning, his spacious home, and for forma, nobilitate, mente, censu Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 14.ep. 2, 23.455, 24.90, Ep. 1.11.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 700–1, Stroheker 190, Heinzelmann 643
Fl. Magnus v.c. Rhetor L IV Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian The rigor Magni is cited in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 535
Fl. Iulius Valerius Maiorianus Augustus 457–61 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Subject of a panegyric by Sidonius; described as aemulus of Aëtius, whose wife Pelagia plotted to assassinate him (percussor si respuis esse); defended Tours (defendit Turonos) and fought the Franks at Vicus Helena; shared the exploits of Aëtius (omnia tecum . . . facit); implicated along with Ricimer in the deposition, in 456, and subsequent death of Eparchius Avitus; Sidonius met him in Lyon in 458–9 and in Arles in 461; executed by Ricimer Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 4.1, 5.112, Ep. 1.11.2–17, 9.13.2; letters/poems received: Carm. 4, 5, 13 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 702–3, Heinzelmann 643, Mathisen (1979a), Rousseau (2000), Santelia (2005b)
Maiorianus v.i. Magister militum 379 Illyricum Roman Nicene Christian Paternal grandfather of Majorian, served under Theodosius I Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.112 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 537
Mamertus v.c. Bishop 460–75 Gaul, Vienne Roman Nicene Christian Elder brother of Mamertus Claudianus; Sidonius told how c. 470 he instituted the Rogations; translated the body of St Ferreolus and head of St Julian of Brioude Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.11.4–5, 5.14.2, 7.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1231–3, Heinzelmann 644, Mathisen 378
Marcellinus v.c. Advocatus 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian A lawyer (togatus), described as learned, truthful, and severe; showed Sidonius a letter of Serranus praising Petronius Maximus
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.465–70, Ep. 2.13.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 708, PCBE 4, 1239, Heinzelmann 645
Marcellus v.i. Conspirator 456/7 Gaul, Narbonne? Roman Nicene Christian Involved in a Gallic conspiracy to seize the throne after the fall of Eparchius Avitus (de capes- sendo diademate coniuratio Marcellana; the text refers to a Marcellus, not a Marcellinus, as is often assumed, nor was Marcellus necessarily the individual proposed as emperor); perhaps Marcel- lus of Narbonne, praefectus praetorio Galliarum c. 441–3, or the senator Marcellus, bishop of Die as of 463 (VMarcelli, AASS Apr. 1.827) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 709, PCBE 4, 1241/1241–3, Stroheker 191, Heinzelmann 645, Mathisen (1979a), Dolbeau (1983)
Marinus v.c. 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius praised his offi ciositas and sedulitas Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.478–81 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 725, Heinzelmann 646
Martinus v.i. Bishop L IV Dacia, Gaul/Tours Roman Nicene Christian A Pannonian soldier who became a monk and then bishop of Tours; see Sulpicius Severus, Vita s. Martini episcopi Turonensis; Paulinus of Périgord, De vita sancti Martini episcopi libri VI; Gregory of Tours, De virtutibus sancti Martini episcopi Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.18.4 (Carm. 31) Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1267–79, Heinzelmann 647
Martius Myro v.c. Author 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian In a list of distinguished writers; Sidonius praised his house and hospitality Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.306, 23.444 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 731, Heinzelmann 647
Maurusius v.c. 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Had a vineyard at the Pagus Vialoscensis in the Auvergne; Sidonius promised to visit him Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.14; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.14 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 738, Stroheker 192, Heinzelmann 648
Maximus v.i. Bishop M V Gaul, Lérins/Riez Roman Nicene Christian Monk of Lérins, bishop of Riez Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.112, Ep. 8.14.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1295–1300, Heinzelmann 651
Maximus v.c. Priest 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian
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An ex-palatinus and old friend of Sidonius (ad amicum; vetera iura hospitii), his loan to Turpio was still unpaid; he was now a priest and at Sidonius’ request remitted the interest. In a similar manner, Ruricius of Limoges, Ep. 2.48, asked a certain Iohannes to remit the interest on a loan to a Magnus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.24.1–6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 746, PCBE 4, 1304, Stroheker 192, Heinzelmann 650
Petronius Maximus Augustus 455 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian His character was analysed by Sidonius; praised in a letter written by Serranus to Marcellinus; Sidonius’ comments about him could have been applied just as easily to his own father-in-law, the emperor Avitus; said to have envied Damocles Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.360, 376, 463, Ep. 2.13.1–7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 749–51
Megethius v.i. Bishop 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Asked Sidonius for a copy of his otherwise unknown contestatiunculae Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.3; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1315–6
Megethius clericalis Cleric 475/80 Gaul, Soissons Roman Nicene Christian Brought a letter to Sidonius from Principius of Soissons (Megethius clericus, vestri gerulus eloquii); had some business to settle in Clermont (rebus ex sententia gestis) and carried a letter back from Sidonius to Principius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.14.8, 9.8.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1316–17
Menstruanus v.c. 460s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius commended him to their mutual friend Pegasius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.6.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 756, PCBE 4, 1323, Heinzelmann 652
Messianus patricius Magister militum 456 Gaul, Toulouse/Placentia Roman Nicene Christian Sent ahead by Eparchius Avitus to Toulouse as an envoy in 455 (praemissus . . . Messianus), then became Avitus’ patricius et magister militum; killed at the battle of Placentia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.427 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 761–2, Heinzelmann 653
Modaharius nobilis 470s Gaul, Aix? Visigoth Homoian Christian Referred to as a civis Gothus; he debated theology with Basilius of Aix Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.6.2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1334
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Montius v.c. 461 Gaul, Maxima Sequanorum Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius’ sodalis, called vir disertissimus and domine maior; from the province of Maxima Sequa- norum, neighbouring Lyon; wanted a copy of Sidonius’ satire against Paeonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 766, PCBE 4, 1338, Heinzelmann 654
Namatius v.s. Dux? 468/80 Gaul, Oléron Roman Nicene Christian From Oléron; an admiral (offi cia nunc nautae modo militis) of Euric stationed at Saintes patrol- ling against Saxon raiders, probably as a dux akin to the dux tractus Armoricani; Sidonius praised Nicetius to him and noted that his son Apollinaris might visit him and his father; Sidonius sent him a copy of Varro’s Libri logistorici and Eusebius’ Chronicon. Also a friend of Ruricius of Limoges; married to Ceraunia; see Ruric. Ep. 2.1–5, 2.62 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 771, PCBE 4, 1348, Heinzelmann 654–5 (bis), Mathisen 379
Iulius Nepos Augustus Emperor 474–80 Illyricum, Italy/Rome Roman Nicene Christian Emperor who negotiated surrender of the Auvergne to Euric in 474–5 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.6.2, 5.7.1, 5.16.2, 7.7.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 777–8
Nicetius v.c. 470/1 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Left an inheritance to Avitus of Cottion (Nicetiana . . . hereditas) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.1.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 782, Stroheker 194, Heinzelmann 657
Fl. Nicetius v.s. Assessor 449/80 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Assessor of the praefectus praetorio Galliarum; Sidonius eulogised him in a letter to Namatius; Sidonius was present at Arles in 449, while his father was praetorian prefect, when Nicetius delivered a panegyric on the consul Astyrius and also introduced a lex de praescriptione tricennii; c. 480 he praised Sidonius’ letters and poems Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.6.2–9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 782–3, PCBE 4, 1368, Stroheker 194–5, Heinzelmann 657
Nonnechius v.i. Bishop 475/80 Gaul, Nantes Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius commended to him the Jew Promotus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.13; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.13 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1380–1, Heinzelmann 658
Nymphidius v.c. M/L V Gaul, Narbonne? Roman Nicene Christian
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Grandfather of either Polemius or Araneola; Sidonius wanted back his copy of Mamertus Claudianus’ De statu animae, which Sidonius effusively praised Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 15.200, Ep. 5.2; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 789, PCBE 4, 1384, Stroheker 264, Heinzelmann 658
Ommatius v.c. M V Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Of patrician descent (patriciaeque nepos gentis); father of Hiberia the wife of Ruricius; was invited to a birthday party Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 11.51–4, 17; letters/poems received: Carm. 17 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 804, PCBE 4, 1386, Stroheker 196, Heinzelmann 659
Optantius v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Recently deceased; Sagittarius became the guardian (tutor) of his daughter, whom Proiectus wanted to marry Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 809, PCBE 4, 1389, Stroheker 196, Heinzelmann 659
Oresius v.c. 477/82 Spain, Tarraconensis Roman Nicene Christian Oresius asked for some poems, but Sidonius had not written verse for twelve years (in silentio decurri tres olympiadas), dating this letter to c. 481/2 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.12 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 810
Orosius clericalis Priest E V Spain, Africa Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.3.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 813
Paeonius v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 456/61 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Lampooned in a ‘satire’ by Sidonius, who harped on his low birth, referring to natalium eius obscuritati and describing him as municipaliter natus and as a novus homo, so probably from a curial family. Sidonius nicknamed him Chremes after a nobleman in Terence’s Andria. At the time of the deposition of Avitus in 456 he was vicarius septem provinciarium, probably appointed by Avitus; he then led a faction of ‘noble youth’ that was involved in some way in the ‘Mar- cellan conspiracy to seize the diadem’. He also assumed the offi ce of praefectus praetorio Gal- liarum under irregular circumstances, leading Sidonius to joke that he was a spectabilis praefectus; attended Majorian’s dinner party in Arles in 461, where he was embarrassed by the emperor for his presumptions Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.3–16 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 817, Stroheker 197, Heinzelmann 660, Mathisen 380
Palladius v.c. Rhetor L IV/E V Italy? Sardinia? Athens? Roman
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Pompam Palladii: in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus; perhaps to be identi- fi ed as the vir inlustris Palladius Rutilius Taurus Aemilianus, author of a De re rustica (PLRE 1, 23–4), or as the rhetor Palladius, perhaps of Athens, who corresponded with Symmachus (PLRE 1, 660) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 23–4, 660. Mathisen 380
Pannychius v.i. Comes civitatis? 469–70 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius warned him about the approach of Seronatus; the recommendation that he deal effectively with lawsuits and taxation (contra lites . . . pactionibus consule, contra tributa securitati- bus) suggests an offi cial offi ce, perhaps comes civitatis; he was an unsuccessful episcopal candidate at Bourges c. 469/70; married twice Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.13, 7.9.18; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.13 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 829, PCBE 4, 1410–11, Stroheker 198, Heinzelmann 661–2
Papianilla c.f. M V Gaul, Nîmes/Rodez Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Tonantius Ferreolus (coniunx Papianilla), mother of Tonantius and other sons; like the Burgundian queen Caretena (Anonyma 40), she was compared to Tanaquil, the wife of the Roman king Tarquinius Priscus and a model of womanly virtue Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.37 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 830, PCBE 4, 1414, Stroheker 198, Heinzelmann 662
Papianilla f.i. M/L V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of the emperor Eparchius Avitus, sister of Agricola and Ecdicius, wife of Sidonius Apollinaris, mother of Apollinaris, Roscia, Severiana, and Alcima; recipient of the only letter addressed to a woman: Sidonius Papianillae suae salutem Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.2.3, 2.12.2, 5.16; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.16 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 830, PCBE 4, 1413–4, Stroheker 198–9, Heinzelmann 662
Pastor vir honestissimus Decurion 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Failed to attend a meeting of the municipal council (civitatis in concilio defuisti) and was thus burdened with a legation (onus futurae legationis) to the concilium septem provinciarum in Arles (tibi profecturo Arelatem); Sidonius notes that the journey would allow him to visit the patriae solum and his domus propria; almost certainly a decurion: no honorifi cs are used, and a bona fi de sena- tor would not have been so summarily treated Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.20.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.20 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1438, Heinzelmann 664
Paterninus plebeius 460s-470s Gaul, Limoges Roman Nicene Christian Delivered a letter from Ruricius to Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.16.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1429
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Patiens v.i. Bishop 449/90 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Asked Sidonius to write verses for the apse of the new church at Lyon; Constantius and Secundinus also contributed poems; Sidonius praised him for extending his charity in alienas provincias. This included famine relief, to Arles, Riez, Avignon, Orange, Viviers, Valence, and Trois-Châteaux. Ecdicius provided similar relief (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.24); Sidonius noted his conversion of ‘Photinians’ and barbarians (probably Homoians); he delivered mass after Sidonius and his friends had a get-together outside the church of St Justus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.10.2, 4.25.1, 5.17.11, 6.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.12 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1432–5, Stroheker 200, Heinzelmann 664
Paulinus v.c. Rhetor 475/80 Gaul, Périgueux Roman Nicene Christian Paulinus of Périgueux (Vesunnici); author of a metrical Vita Martini Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 846, Heinzelmann 666, Mathisen 381
Paulinus v.c. 475/80 Gaul, Bordeaux/Burgus Roman Nicene Christian Son of Pontius Leontius; author of an extant letter ‘Scribere vobis’ to Faustus of Riez, and recipient of Ep. ‘Admiranda mihi’ from Faustus. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.12.5. Bibliography: PLRE 2, 847, PCBE 4, 1448/1449–50, Stroheker 203, Heinzelmann 666
Pontius Paulinus v.c. L IV Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Founder of the family of Pontius Leontius; built the fortifi ed estate of Burgus between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers (not at Narbonne, as PLRE) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 22.117–19 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 681, Stroheker 200, Heinzelmann 666
Meropius Pontius Paulinus v.c. Bishop L IV/E V Gaul, Bordeaux/Nola Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus; consularis Campaniae and then bishop of Nola, where his family also had property Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.304, Ep. 4.3.2 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 681–3, Stroheker 201–2, Heinzelmann 665–6
Paulus v.i. Bishop 460/70 Gaul, Chalon-sur-Saône Roman Nicene Christian Deceased bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.25.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1456–7, Heinzelmann 667
Paulus vir honestissimus Decurion 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian
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Sidonius asked Explicius to arbitrate a quarrel between Alethius and Paulus; Sidonius’ lack of honorifi cs suggests that these two were decurions Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.7.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 851, PCBE 4, 1457, Heinzelmann 667
Fl. Synesius Gennadius Paulus v.i. Praefectus urbi Romae 467–8 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Ex-prefect of Rome; hosted Sidonius and recommended Basilius and Avienus to him as patrons Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.9.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 855
Pegasius v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Friend of Menstruanus, whom Sidonius commended to him Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.6; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 856, PCBE 4, 1459, Heinzelmann 667
Perpetuus v.c. Bishop 470s Gaul, Tours Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius sent him verses for the church of St Martin. Perpetuus also asked him for an account of the rather irregular ordination of Simplicius as bishop of Bourges: Sidonius, who presided, was the only bishop of a city in Aquitania Prima not under Gothic control, so he invited Agroecius of Sens, elderly metropolitan of Lugdunensis Senonia, to assist. According to canon law, however, three bishops were needed for an episcopal ordination. Perpetuus, metropolitan of Lugdunensis Secunda and quite a bit closer to Bourges than Agroecius, might have been wondering why he was not involved. Also described as de genere senatorio (Greg. Tur. Hist. 10.31) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.18.4, 7.9; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 860–1, PCBE 4, 1464–70, Stroheker 203–4, Heinzelmann 667–8
Petreius v.c. 470s Gaul, Vienne? Roman Nicene Christian Nephew of Mamertus Claudianus of Vienne, whose epitaph Sidonius wrote Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.11 Bibliography: PCBE 1472, Heinzelmann 668, Mathisen 381
Petronius v.i. Legatus provinciae 468/80 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Called Petronio inlustri; a lawyer; he enjoyed reading Sidonius letters (lectandis epistulis meis); Sidonius directed Iohannes and Vindicius to him for legal advice; as a ‘legate of the province’, one of the prosecutors of Arvandus in Rome in 468/9; dedicatee of the eighth book of letters Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.4, 2.5, 5.1, 8.1, 8.16.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.5, 5.1, 8.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 863–4, PCBE 4, 1475–6, Stroheker 204, Heinzelmann 668
Petrus v.i. Magister epistularum 458 Italy, Gaul Roman Nicene Christian
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In a list of famous writers; Majorian’s envoy to Gaul in 458 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 3.5, 5.564–71, 9.308, Ep. 9.13.4, 9.15.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 866, Heinzelmann 668
Petrus v.c. Tribunus et notarius 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian A tribunicius vir; Sidonius introduced him to Auspicius of Toul; he had a verbal request Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.11.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 866–7, PCBE 4, 1477, Stroheker 204, Heinzelmann 668
Philagrius patricius L IV Gaul Roman Ancestor of Eparchius Avitus and Magnus Felix Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.156, 24.93 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 693 #4, PLRE 2, 873 #1, Stroheker 204, Heinzelmann 669
Philagrius v.c. Religiosus 460s Gaul, Lyon? Roman Nicene Christian Perhaps a descendant of the patrician Philagrius; he was discussed at a frequens ordo (meeting of the municipal council) at Lyon (cf. Ep. 5.20.4); lived in the countryside with vicinantibus rusticis; a cleric (religiosus), known to Sidonius primarily through correspondence Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.14; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.14 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 873–4, PCBE 4, 1482, Stroheker 204, Heinzelmann 669, van Waarden (2016a) 118–19
Philomathia c.f. 460s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius sent a copy of her epitaph to Desideratus; she was described as matrona Philomathia and splendor generis; an only child herself, she died in her early 30s, survived by her father Philomathius, husband Eriphius, and fi ve children Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.8.1–3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 877, PCBE 4, 1484, Stroheker 204, Heinzelmann 669
Philomathius v.i. Assessor 469 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Called vir inlustris Philomathius; Sidonius advised him to accept a position as assessor of the praetorian prefect and wrote an epitaph for his daughter Philomathia; played in a ball game at a gathering before mass at the church of St Justus in Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.3, 2.8, 5.17.7; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 877–8, PCBE 4, 1485, Stroheker 205, Heinzelmann 669
Placidus v.c. 460s Gaul, Grenoble Roman Nicene Christian Hospites veteres reported that he praised Sidonius’ prose and poetry Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.14; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.14 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 890, PCBE 4, 1490, Heinzelmann 670
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Polemius v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 471–2 Gaul, Narbonne? Roman Nicene Christian Called a descendant of the historian Tacitus and the patrician Philagrius, known for his interest in Neoplatonism, married to Araneola; praefectus praetorio Galliarum c. 471–2 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 14.ep. 1, 15.118, 188–9, Ep. 4.14; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.14, Carm. 14–15 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 895, PCBE 4, 1493–4, Stroheker 205, Heinzelmann 671
Potentinus v.c. M/L V Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Praised for being a model for Sidonius’ son Apollinaris Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.11; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 903, PCBE 4, 1510, Stroheker 206, Heinzelmann 672
Pragmatius v.i. Bishop 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of an unknown see, probably near Clermont; Sidonius asked him to help a venerabilis matrona Eutropia who was being harrassed by a priest Agrippinus, the father of her daughter- in-law Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.2; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.2 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1520–1, Heinzelmann 673
Pragmatius v.i. Consiliarius 450s-470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Called Pragmatius inlustris; consiliarius of the praetorian prefect Priscus Valerianus, whose daughter he married; known for his oratory; he praised Sapaudus to Sidonius for his rhetoric Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 904, PCBE 4, 1521, Stroheker 206, Heinzelmann 672
Principius v.i. Bishop 475/80 Gaul, Orléans Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of Soissons, brother of Remigius; Sidonius had heard about them from Antiolus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.14, 9.8; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.8 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1523–4, Heinzelmann 673, Mathisen 382
Probus v.c. 440s–460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Son of Magnus, brother of Araneola and Magnus Felix, bound to Sidonius by the iura amicitiae; married Sidonius’ cousin Eulalia; schoolmate of Sidonius under Eusebius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.94, 9.333, Ep. 4.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 910–11, PCBE 4, 1535, Stroheker 206, Heinzelmann 674
Procopius v.i. Magister militum 422–4 Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Father of emperor Anthemius; commanded troops in the Persian war of 422 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.94–5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 920
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Proculus Plebeius Clericalis 477/82 Gaul, Autun Roman Nicene Christian A deacon; he and the priest Albiso carried a letter from Euphronius of Autun Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.2.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1545
Proculus v.c. Poet M/L V Italy, Liguria Roman Nicene Christian A poet from Liguria Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.15.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 923, Heinzelmann 675
Proculus vir honestissimus Decurion 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius refers to tuis . . . amicitiis; his son took refuge with Sidonius for an unnamed offence; Sidonius asked that he be allowed to return home Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.23; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.23 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 923, PCBE 4, 1545, Heinzelmann 675
Proiectus v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Described as domi nobilis; wanted to marry the daughter of the recently deceased Optantius; his father and uncle were of spectabilis rank and his grandfather had been a bishop; Sidonius wrote on his behalf to the girl’s guardian Sagittarius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 925, PCBE 4, 1548, Stroheker 206, Heinzelmann 676
Promotus plebeius 475/80 Gaul, Clermont Roman Jewish A converted Jew (municipatus caelestis civitatis) who regularly carried letters between Sidonius and Nunechius of Nantes; he had a verbal request Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.13.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1550
Prosper v.i. Bishop 475/80 Gaul, Orléans Roman Nicene Christian Asked Sidonius to write about Anianus of Orléans and the war with Attila (Attilae bellum); Sidonius was put off by the magnitude of the work (taeduit inchoasse) and promised to write a laudation (praeconio suo) instead Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.15; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.15 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1557–8, Heinzelmann 676
Prudens plebeius Merchant 470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian An adstipulator to a sales contract at Clermont ante aliquot annos wherein Sidonius’ agent (nego- tiator) purchased a woman who had been kidnapped by the Vargi; adstipulatores attested to the validity of a transaction (CTh 7.2.1), suggesting that Prudens testifi ed (falsely) (collaudante)
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that this was a legitimate sale: he was ‘now living at Troyes’ (quem nunc Tricassibus degere), so Sidonius asked bishop Lupus to look into the matter Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.4.1–3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1561
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens v.c. Governor L IV/E V Spain, Tarraconensis Roman Nicene Christian Lawyer and twice provincial governor; Christian poet, his works were in the library of Tonantius Ferreolus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.4 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 214
Pudens vir honestissimus Decurion M/L V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Nutricis meae fi liam fi lius tuae rapuit: Pudens’ inquilinus and colonus, the son of his nurse, ran off with a free woman (libera), the daughter of Sidonius’ nurse; Sidonius asks him to raise the colo- nus to plebeian status to legitimate the relationship; given Sidonius’ peremptory tone, perhaps a decurion Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.19; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.19 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 928, PCBE 4, 1562, Heinzelmann 677, Grey (2008), Demicheli (2012)
Quintianus v.c. M V Italy, Liguria Roman Nicene Christian? Poet and maximus sodalis of the fathers of Sidonius and Felix, followed Aëtius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.290, Ep. 4.8.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 932–3, Heinzelmann 678
Ragnahilda regalis Regina 466–9 Gaul, Toulouse Sueve? Homoian Christian Daughter of a king (perhaps Rechiarius, king of the Suevi), wife of the Visigothic king Euric, mother of Alaric II; received a silver dish from her client Evodius (Evodium . . . clientem) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.8.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 935, Heinzelmann 678, Becht-Jördens (2017)
Remigius v.i. Bishop 475/80 Gaul, Reims Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of Reims, brother of Principius; Sidonius learned about them from Antiolus; authored four extant letters, including two to Clovis, and some lost declamationes (Sidon. Ep. 9.7.1); see Vita s. Remigii (MGH SRM 3, 239–349) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.14.2, 9.7; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 938, PCBE 4, 1600–4, Stroheker 207–8, Heinzelmann 679
Fl. Ricimer patricius Magister militum 457–72 Spain, Rome Sueve Homoian Christian The son of a Sueve and a Visigoth (in regnum duo regna vocant, nam patre Suebus, a genetrice Getes); had a ‘royal grandfather’ (Vallia); described as invictus Ricimer; married Alypia, daughter of Anthemius (genero Ricimere), in 467
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.352, 484, 502, 5.267, Ep. 1.5.10–11, 1.9.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 942–5, Heinzelmann 680–1, Papini (1959), Montone (2015)
Riochatus clericalis Priest 477/82 Britain or Gaul Breton Nicene Christian Priest and monk, visited Sidonius while carrying a copy of Faustus’ De spiritu sancto to the Britanni (Bretons or Britons): Riochatus antistes ac monachus . . . Britannis tuis pro te reportat Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.9.8 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1616
Riothamus regalis Rex 469/70 Armorica Breton Nicene Christian Breton warlord with a personal army; Sidonius sought his assistance in recovering run- away slaves; also alluded to in a reference to the Britannos super Ligerim; later defeated by the Visigoths; see Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.18, Jord. Get. 237–8 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.5, 3.9; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 945, PCBE 4, 1616, Heinzelmann 681, Adams (1993)
Roscia c.f. 460s-470s Gaul, Lyon/Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Sidonius and Papianilla; cared for by her paternal grandmother and paternal aunts when she was ill at Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 17.3, Ep. 5.16.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 950, PCBE 4, 1630, Stroheker 208, Heinzelmann 682, Günther (1997)
Turannius Rufi nus clericalis Monk L IV/E V Italy, Palestine Roman Nicene Christian In a list of famous ecclesiastical writers sent to Mamertus Claudianus; translated Origen and Eusebius; his works were in the library of Tonantius Ferreolus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.4, 4.3.7
Ruricius v.c. Bishop 460–510 Gaul, Limoges Roman Nicene Christian Related to the senatorial Anicii of Rome, brother of Leontius, husband of Hiberia (Sidonius wrote an epithalamium for them), had fi ve sons; friend of Faustus of Riez; discussed literary matters with Sidonius; author of an extant collection of 83 letters. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 10,11.63, Ep. 4.16, 5.15, 8.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.16, 5.15, 8.10, Carm. 10, 11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 960, PCBE 4, 1635–49, Stroheker 209–10, Heinzelmann 683, Alciati (2008), Mathisen (1999a, 2001a, 2016)
Rusticiana f.i. L IV/E V Italy, Rome Roman Pagan? Wife of Symmachus; said to have ‘held a candle’ while he was composing Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.10.5 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 786–7
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Rusticus v.i. 460s Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian Called domine inlustris; a neighbour of Pontius Leontius of Bordeaux; see Ruric. Ep. 2.20, 2.54 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.11, 8.11.3 (Carm. 35.35–6); letters/poems received: Ep. 2.11 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 964, PCBE 4, 1664, Stroheker 211, Heinzelmann 685, Mathisen 383, Amherdt (2004)
Rusticus v.c. L V/E VI Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Great-grandson of Decimius Rusticus, son of Aquilinus; later high offi cial in Burgundian kingdom; bishop of Lyon c. 494–501; see CIL 13.2395 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 964, PCBE 4, 1665, Stroheker 211, Heinzelmann 685–6
Decimius Rusticus v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 407/11 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian? Grandfather of Aquilinus; master of offi ces and praetorian prefect of Gaul under Constantine III, and perhaps under Jovinus; executed after the fall of Jovinus (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.9) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.1, 4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 965, Stroheker 211, Heinzelmann 684–5
Sabinianus v.c. IV/V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian? An unknown person whose family is negatively juxtaposed with the family of Sabinus, from which Eutropius was descended Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.6.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 966, Heinzelmann 686
Sabinus v.c. IV/V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian? An ancestor of Eutropius, his family is positively juxtaposed with the family of Sabinianus; it may have included Antonius Caecina Sabinus, consul in 316, and note also a Sabinus intro- duced to Symmachus (Ep. 3.49) by the historian Eutropius, a native of Bordeaux and consul in 387 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.6.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 968, Heinzelmann 686–7
Sacerdos v.c. 460s Gaul, Javols Roman Nicene Christian Nephew of Victorius, brother of Iustinus, with whom he received a joint letter; a landowner south of Javols Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.26–8, Ep. 5.21; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.21 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 970, PCBE 4, 1674, Heinzelmann 687
Sagittarius v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian
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Guardian (tutor) of the recently deceased Optantius’ daughter, whom Proiectus wanted to marry; described as her parens, so perhaps her uncle Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 971, PCBE 4, 1680, Stroheker 212, Heinzelmann 687
Salonius v.c. 470s Gaul, Vienne Roman Nicene Christian He and his unnamed brother had a house in Vienne and estates in the countryside, where they spent most of their time; one was only recently acquired (vix recepta possessio); like Sidonius, they were both clerics (professione sociamini) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.15; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.15 Bibliography: PCBE 1688, Heinzelmann 688, Mathisen 383
Sapaudus v.c. Rhetor L V Gaul, Vienne Roman Nicene Christian Rhetor of Vienne, praised by Pragmatius and by Sidonius; also received a letter from Mamertus Claudianus: CSEL 11.203, Parisinus latinus 2165 ff. 34v–35r Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 976, PCBE 4, 1704–5, Heinzelmann 689
Sebastianus v.i. Magister militum 432–50 Africa, Thrace/Spain/Africa Roman Nicene Christian Son of Bonifatius; followed by an anonymous poet of Cahors; executed by Geiseric Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.277–88 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 983–4
Secundinus v.c. M/L V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Old friend of Sidonius, who praised his poetry and advised him to write satire; wrote poetry for the basilica of Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.10.3, 5.8; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 985, PCBE 4, 1724, Heinzelmann 690
Secundus v.c. 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Nephew of Sidonius, who asked him to restore the grave of his grandfather Apollinaris Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.12 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 986, PCBE 4, 1725, Stroheker 215, Heinzelmann 691, Henke (2012), Colafrancesco (2014)
Seronatus v.s. Vicarius septem provinciarum 469–71 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Described as the Catilina saeculi nostri; oversaw tax collection, perhaps as vicarius septem provin- ciarum; colluded with the Visigoths; accused of betraying provinces to barbarians; Sidonius asked Ecdicius to return and rescue the Arvernians; the comment that Anthemius lacked
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soldiers and resources suggests a date of c. 471; in 475 Sidonius reported that Seronatus had earlier been arrested and executed Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.1.1, 5.13.1–2, 7.7.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 995–6, Stroheker 215, Heinzelmann 692, Fascione (2016)
Serranus v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Marcellinus showed Sidonius a letter of Serranus praising Petronius Maximus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.13; letters/poems received: Ep. 2.13 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 996, PCBE 4, 1736, Heinzelmann 692
Severiana c.f. 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Sidonius and Papianilla; called sollicitudo communis in a letter to her uncle Agricola; later appears as mater Severiana among three female relatives of Avitus of Vienne who took the veil (Avit. Carm. 6.83–94) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 17.3, Ep. 2.12.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 998, PCBE 4, 1739–40, Stroheker 216, Heinzelmann 692, Mathisen 384
Severianus v.c. Rhetor 458 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian In a list of distinguished writers; discussed a work of Petrus in Lyon (not Arles, as PLRE) in 458 with Sidonius, Domnulus, and Severianus; perhaps the Iulius Severianus who authored a Praecepta artis rhetoricae Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.315, Ep. 9.13.2, 9.15.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 999–1000, Heinzelmann 692
Fl. Severinus v.i. Consul 461 Italy Roman Nicene Christian Consul in 461, when he attended Majorian’s banquet in Arles and was second in rank after the emperor Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1001, Heinzelmann 693
Libius Severus Augustus Emperor 461–5 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Made emperor by Ricimer; Sidonius describes him as deifi ed (auxerat . . . divorum numerum) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.317 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1004–5, Oost (1970)
Sigismeris regalis Prince 460s Gaul, Lyon Burgundian? Homoian Christian A barbarian prince (regium iuvenem), travelled to Lyon to visit his intended bride and his future father-in-law, perhaps the Burgundian king Gundioc Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.20.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1008, Heinzelmann 694
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Simplicius v.c. 460s Gaul, Vaison Roman Nicene Christian Cousin of Sidonius, brother of Thaumastus of Vienne and of Apollinaris, with whom he eventually settled in Vaison and received two letters jointly; Sidonius congratulated him on his choice of a son-in-law and on raising his daughter (implying that his wife was deceased); Sidonius commended Faustinus and an unnamed letter carrier to him; Sidonius was upset after Constans lost a letter to him and Apollinaris and complained about a lack of letters from him; Sidonius commended him to Fonteius of Vaison Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.11, 4.4, 4.7, 4.12, 5.4, 7.4.4; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.11, 4.4, 4.7, 4.12, 5.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1015, PCBE 4, 1818, Stroheker 219, Heinzelmann 696
Simplicius v.s. Bishop 470/5 Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian Called Simplicium spectabilem virum; had prefects among his ancestors; undertook diplomatic missions; imprisoned by the Visigoths; elected bishop of Bourges c. 469/70, with Sidonius presiding; exiled by Euric; his rank suggests that he had held an imperial offi ce Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.6.9, 7.8.2–3, 7.9.16–17 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1015–16, PCBE 4, 1816–7, Stroheker 363, Heinzelmann 696, van Waarden (2011b)
Sulpicius vir honestissimus Decurion M/L V Gaul, Troyes? Roman Nicene Christian Son of Himerius, father of Himerius; enjoyed living in solitude (secessus) in an out-of-the-way place (secretum); Sidonius’ failure to mention social status suggests curial origin Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.13; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.13 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1837, Heinzelmann 698, Mathisen 385
Fl. Afranius Syagrius v.i. Consul 382 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Grandfather of Tonantius Ferreolus, great-grandfather of Syagrius, his tomb was in Lyon; his consulate was in 382, not, as Anderson (1965) 2.364, in 381 (a different Syagrius) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.36, Ep. 5.5.1, 5.17.4, 7.12.1 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 862–3, Stroheker 220, Heinzelmann 699, Demandt (1971)
Syagrius v.c. Advocatus 460s-470s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Of patrician descent (patriciae stirpis), great-grandson of Fl. Afranius Syagrius, consul in 381, described as Gallicanae fl os iuventutis; a lawyer whom Sidonius praised for his knowledge of German, called Burgundionum Solon; advised not to lose his knowledge of Latin; had an estate Taionnacus, perhaps near Autun Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.5, 8.8; letters/poems received: Ep. 5.5, 8.8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1042, PCBE 4, 1845, Stroheker 221, Heinzelmann 699
Quintus Aurelius Symmachus v.i. Consul 391 Italy, Rome Roman Pagan
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In a list of distinguished writers, married to Rusticiana; consul in 391; Sidonius cited an unknown quotation of his Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.304, Ep. 1.1.1, 2.10.5, 8.10.1 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 865–71
Tetradius v.c. Advocatus 461/7? Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Compared to Fidulus; lived south of Avitus of Cottion; Sidonius sent Theodorus to him for legal advice Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.81, Ep. 3.10; letters/poems received: Ep. 3.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1060, PCBE 4, 1860, Heinzelmann 701
Thaumastus v.i. Legatus provinciae 468/9 Gaul, Tres Villae/Vienne Roman Nicene Christian Father of Thaumastus of Vienne, ‘nearly the paternal uncle’ of Sidonius; had an estate called Tres Villae north of Narbonne; one of the prosecutors of Arvandus in Rome in 468/9; deceased by the time that Sidonius erected his grandfather’s epitaph, as he seems to have been the closest surviving relative (Sidon. Ep. 3.12.6 heres tertius) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.85, Ep. 1.7.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1062, Stroheker 223–4, Heinzelmann 702
Thaumastus v.c. Tribunus et notarius 460s Gaul, Tres Villae Roman Nicene Christian Son of Thaumastus, brother of Simplicius and Apollinaris of Vaison, cousin of Sidonius; the description mihi sodalis et collega simul graduque frater suggests that he and Sidonius held offi ce together, perhaps as tribuni et notarii under Avitus in 455–6; in the 470s living at Vaison. Sido- nius’ description of him as one quem pro iure vel sanguinis vel aetatis reverenda familiaritate complec- tor attests to their family relationship and similar age Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.84–7, Ep. 5.6.1, 5.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1062–3, PCBE 4, 1867–8, Stroheker 224, Heinzelmann 702
Theodericus I regalis Rex 418–52 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Released the hostage Theodorus to Eparchius Avitus c. 425/6 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.220 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1070–1, Heinzelmann 702–3
Theodericus II regalis Rex 453–66 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Grandson of Alaric I, son of Theoderic I, brother of Thorismodus, Fredericus, and Euric; met Eparchius Avitus in his youth and supported him as emperor; Sidonius describes him and his court at length and mentions his leges . . . Theudoricianas; he was murdered by his brother Euric in 466 (for 467, see Gillett (1999)) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.72, Ep. 1.2.1, 2.1.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1071–3, Heinzelmann 703, Sivan (1989a)
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Theodorus v.c. 425/6? Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian A nobilis relative of Eparchius Avitus; hostage of Visigothic king Theoderic I Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.215–20 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1087, Stroheker 224, Heinzelmann 704
Theodorus v.c. 469/70 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Described as domi . . . nobilis; Sidonius sent him to Tetradius for legal aid Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.10.1–2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1091–2, PCBE 4, 1875, Stroheker 224, Heinzelmann 704
Theodosius I Augustus 379–95 Spain, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Named emperor at Sirmium; restored Valentinian II to power after the defeat of Magnus Maximus in 388 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.109, 354–5 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 904–5
Theoplastus v.i. Bishop 470s Gaul, Geneva? Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius commended the client and slaves of Donidius to him; a Theoplastus appears in the episcopal fasti of Geneva (Duchesne (1907), 1.227) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.5; letters/poems received: Ep. 6.5 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1884
Thorismodus regalis Rex 451–3 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Grandson of Alaric I, son of Theoderic I, brother of Theoderic II, Fredericus, and Euric; Sidonius called him Rhodani hospes (‘guest of the Rhône’), perhaps because he made an attack on the city of Arles, which Aëtius could not end in battle (proelio) but which Ferreolus ended by means of a banquet (prandio) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.12.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1115–56, Heinzelmann 705
Tonantius v.c. 460s-470s Gaul, Nîmes/Rodez Roman Nicene Christian Son of Tonantius Ferreolus, friend of Gelasius; called meo Tonantio; discussed poetry; had estates at Prusianum near Nîmes and Trevidon near Rodez; c. 478, Sidonius mentioned some of the same people (Petrus, Domnulus, Severianus) as in the letter sent to Tonantius, and sent him his poem on Petrus, written in 459, about twenty years earlier (annos circiter viginti) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.34, Ep. 2.9.7, 9.13, 9.15.1; letters/poems received: Ep. 9.13 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1123, PCBE 4, 1892, Heinzelmann 706, Consolino (2011b)
Trygetius v.c. M/L V Gaul, Bazas Roman Nicene Christian
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An inhabitant of Bazas (Vasatium); had recently visited Gibraltar (Calpis); planned to meet Pontius Leontius and his son Leontius at Langon (Alingonis) on the Garonne but declined to visit Sidonius at Bordeaux Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.12; letters/poems received: Ep. 8.12 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1129, PCBE 4, 1897, Stroheker 225, Heinzelmann 707
Tuldila regalis Rex 458 Dacia Hun Pagan Attacked and killed near the Danube by Majorian Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.485–9, 499–503 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1131
Turnus v.c. 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Son of Turpio, who had a long-overdue loan from the ex-palatinus Maximus, whom Sidonius induced to remit the interest Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.24; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.24 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1133, PCBE 4, 1899, Stroheker 225, Heinzelmann 707
Turpio v.c. Tribunus et notarius 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian A vir tribunicius; borrowed money, still unpaid, from the ex-palatinus Maximus; he was now very ill and Sidonius induced Maximus, who had become a priest, to remit the interest Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.24.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1133, PCBE 4, 1899–1900, Stroheker 225, Heinzelmann 707
Valamer regalis Rex 459/62 Illyricum Ostrogoth Homoian Christian Ostrogothic warlord who devastated Illyricum (Illyris ora . . . excisam . . . Valameris ab armis) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.225 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1135–6
Placidus Valentinianus III Augustus 425–55 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Called ‘effeminate’ (not, as Anderson (1936) 1.149, a ‘eunuch’), murdered Aëtius (Aetium Placidus mactavit semivir amens); the fathers of Sidonius and Aquilinus served under him; sent Consentius to Constantinople and oversaw the chariot race he won Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.305–6, 7.359, 23.310, 228, 423, Ep. 5.9.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1138–9
Priscus Valerianus v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum ante 456 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Of patrician descent, related to Eparchius Avitus, his daughter married Pragmatius; praefectus praetorio Galliarum before 456, described as vir praefectorius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 8.1, Ep. 5.10.2; letters/poems received: Carm. 8 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1142–3, PCBE 4, 1909, Stroheker 225, Heinzelmann 709
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Vallia regalis Rex 415–18 Gaul Visigoth Homoian Christian Successor of Sigericus; grandfather of Ricimer (avus huius Vallia; spiritus . . . regis avi); defeated Vandals and Alans in Spain; began settlement of Visigoths in Aquitania Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.363, 5.268 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1147–8, Heinzelmann 710, Mathisen (2018b)
Vettius v.i. Dux? 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Called Vettio inlustri; he had a daughter, an only child, and did not remarry after the death of his wife; Sidonius praised him to Industrius; he had city and country properties; as a wearer of the paludamentum, he would have been an ex-general, perhaps a dux promoted to vir inlustris on retirement; Sidonius asked him to persuade Germanicus to adopt the professio religionis; the reading ‘Vettius’ in the Laudianus 104 (as opposed to ‘Vectius’ elsewhere) is probably correct. Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.9.1, 4.13; letters/poems received: Ep. 4.13 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1152, PCBE 4, 1914, Stroheker 226, Heinzelmann 710
Victor v.i. Quaestor sacri palatii 467–8 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian A poet compared by Sidonius to Phoebus Apollo; Sidonius notes: aeternum nobis ille magister erit; his name has been questioned as being the result of a manuscript error Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 1.25 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1158–9, Kelly (2018)
Tascius Victorianus v.c. L IV/E V Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Revised the translation of Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius the Pythagorean by Virius Nicomachus Flavianus; his version was revised by Sidonius; also edited the fi rst ten books of Livy Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.3.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1160–1
Victorius v.c. Rhetor IV/V Gaul, Bordeaux? Roman Nicene Christian? Dulcedo Victorii; in a catalogue of famous rhetors compared to Sapaudus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1162, Heinzelmann 713
Victorius v.c. Poet M V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Paternal uncle (patruus) of Sacerdos and Justinus, who inherited his patrimonia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.21.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1162, PCBE 4, 1954, Heinzelmann 714
Victorius v.c. Comes civitatis 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Comes civitatis Arvernensis (and dux septem civitatum: Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.20) in the Visigothic administration; Sidonius was his client (excolo ut cliens); described as iure saeculari patronum, iure
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ecclesiastico fi lium (cf. redux patronus: Ep. 4.10.2); present at the deathbed of abbot Abraham; according to Gregory of Tours, c. 480 he fl ed to Rome, accompanied by Sidonius’ son Apollinaris, because he was in amore mulierum luxuriosus; see also Greg. Tur. Vit. patr. 3, Glor. conf. 33, Glor. mart. 44 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.17.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1162–4, PCBE 4, 1955, Heinzelmann 714, Mathisen (2003b)
Vincentius v.i. Magister militum 469 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Asked Sidonius to write an account of the fall of Arvandus (damnationis suae ordinem exposcis); given his interest in the Arvandus case, which involved collaboration with the Visigoths, he is probably to be identifi ed as the Visigothic dux and magister militum Vincentius who cam- paigned in Spain and was killed during an invasion of Italy in 473 (Chron. Gall. 511, s.a. 473). Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7; letters/poems received: Ep. 1.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1168 #3–4, PCBE 4, 1981, Heinzelmann 715
Vindicius vir honestissimus Deacon 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Called necessarius meus and Vindicius noster; he had recently been made a deacon (leviticae dig- nitati . . . accommodatissimum), perhaps by Sidonius himself; commended to Petronius for legal advice regarding an inheritance, and commended to Fonteius of Vaison for assistance in another matter; perhaps of curial origin Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.1.2, 7.4.1 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1985, Stroheker 227, Heinzelmann 716, Mathisen 385
Volusianus v.c. Bishop 470s-490s Gaul, Tours Roman Nicene Christian Called domine frater, bound to Sidonius by the lex amicitiae; Sidonius described the two of them as fratres, amicos, commilitones, suggesting that Volusianus had become a priest; had an estate at Baiocasses (Bayeux); asked Sidonius to write an epitaph for the abbot Abraham. Sidonius asked Volusianus to supervise Abraham’s successor Auxanius. Described as unus ex senatoribus (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.26); c. 490, he succeeded Perpetuus as bishop of Tours; see Ruric. Ep. 2.65 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.18.2, 7.17; letters/poems received: Ep. 7.17 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1183, PCBE 4, 2001–2, Stroheker 227, Heinzelmann 717
Anonyma 1 (Licinia Eudoxia) Augusta 437–55 Thrace, Constantinople/Rome Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Theodosius II, wife of Valentinian III, mother of Eudocia and Placidia; suppos- edly invited Geiseric to attack Rome in 455 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.229 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 410–12
Anonyma 2 (Alypia) f.i. 467 Thrace, Constantinople/Rome Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of the ‘perennial Augustus’ Anthemius, married Ricimer; unnamed by Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.484–6, Ep. 1.5.10, 1.9.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 61–2
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Anonyma 3 (Attica) f.i. M/L V Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Magnus Felix; unnamed by Sidonius, see CIL 6.32104 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 181–2, PCBE 4, 229, Stroheker 149, Heinzelmann 563
Anonyma 4 (Avita?) f.i. M V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Sidonius; a close relative of Avitus of Cottion of Clermont (matribus nostris summa sanguinis iuncti necessitudo); she, not the wife of Eparchius Avitus, as in PLRE, was the grand- mother of Roscia, because she was with Roscia’s paternal aunts (in aviae amitarumque . . . sinu) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.1.1, 5.16.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 17, Mathisen (1981a) 109
Anonyma 5 f.i. M V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Eparchius Avitus, mother-in-law of Sidonius, who tried to recover part of her estate from Euric in 476 (necdum enim quicquam de hereditate socruali vel in usum tertiae sub pretio medi- etatis obtinui). Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.164–6, Ep. 8.9.2
Anonyma 6 f.i. M/L V Gaul, Bordeaux/Burgus Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Pontius Leontius, mother of Paulinus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 22.194–6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 18
Anonyma 7 f.i. 471/2 Gaul, Tres Villae Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Thaumastus, mother of Thaumastus of Vienne; recently deceased (recenti caelibatu) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.6.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1240 Anonyma 19
Anonyma 8 f.i. M/L V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Ecdicius, had several children Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 20.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1240 Anonyma 22
Anonyma 9 f.i. 460s Gaul, near Cantillia Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Vettius; died while her daughter, an only child, was young Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.9.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1240 Anonyma 23
Anonyma 10 (Alcima) c.f. L V/E VI Gaul, Lyon/Clermont Roman Nicene Christian
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A third daughter of Sidonius and Papianilla, named only by Gregory of Tours (Hist. 3.2, 12, Glor. mart. 64); implicitly included among the nostris suisque liberis of Ecdicius and Sidonius; she and Placidina, the wife of Sidonius’ son Apollinaris, later schemed to have Apollinaris chosen as bishop of Clermont Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 17.3, Ep. 5.16.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 54, PCBE 4, 104, Stroheker 144, Heinzelmann 550
Anonyma 11 c.f. M/L V Gaul, Cantillia Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Vettius, an only child, raised by her father after the death of her mother when she was young Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.9.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1240 Anonyma 24
Anonyma 12 c.f. E V Italy Roman Nicene Christian Mother of the emperor Majorian Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.107–16 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1238 Anonyma 7
Anonyma 13 c.f. M V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Aper; daughter of Fronto and Auspicia, sister of Frontina, married an Aeduan; Aper was raised by Auspicia after her death Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.2–4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 14
Anonyma 14 c.f. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Wife of the recently deceased Optantius; supported Proiectus’ suit to marry her daughter; Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 15
Anonyma 15 c.f. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Optantius; Proiectus wanted to marry her Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 16
Anonyma 16 c.f. M/L V Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian One of the Palladii, wife of Simplicius; described as a matrona Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.9.24 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1241 Anonyma 29
Anonyma 17 c.f. 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian
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Mother of Frontina Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.4
Anonyma 18 c.f. 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Turpio, brother of Turnus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.24.6
Anonyma 19 c.f. 460s Gaul, Rhône Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Pastor, lived between Lyon and Arles Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.20.4
Anonyma 20 c.f. 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Daughter-in-law of Eutropia, who wanted to live with her rather than with her father, the presbyter Agrippinus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.2.1–4
Anonyma 21 c.f. 470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Gallus, who had left her; bishop Lupus of Troyes ordered him to return to her, which he did Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.9.1
Anonyma 22 c.f. L IV/E V Gaul, Nîmes/Rodez Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Fl. Afranius Syagrius (consul in 382), mother of Tonantius Ferreolus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 24.36, Ep. 1.7.4, 7.12.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1238 Anonyma 10
Anonyma 23 c.f. E/M V Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Descendant of Iovinus, consul in 367; wife of Consentius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.170–4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 11
Anonyma 24 c.f. E V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Eparchius Avitus, described as generosa Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.164–5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239 Anonyma 12
Anonyma 25 c.f. 460s Gaul, Vaison Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Simplicius; Sidonius complimented her marriage and upbringing Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.11.2
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Anonyma 26 c.f. 450s-470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Priscus Valerianus, married Pragmatius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.10.2
Anonyma 27 c.f. 450s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Sacerdos and Justinus, sister-in-law of Victorius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.21.1
Anonyma 28 c.f. 460s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Philomathius, Mother of Philomathia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.8.1
Anonyma 29 femina honestissima 461 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Daughter of Paeonius, described as honestissima and thus of curial status; given a large dowry to secure a marriage to someone of higher rank Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.05 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1240 Anonyma 20
Anonyma 30 femina honestissima 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Mother of Amantius (parentes natalibus non superbis sed absolutis), probably of curial origin Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.3
Anonyma 31 femina honestissima 470s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Mother-in-law of Amantius; enjoyed her grandchildren Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.6–7
Anonyma 32 femina honestissima 470s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Wife of Amantius, not inferior in rank (non despiciente personam), but much more wealthy Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.6–7
Anonyma 33 femina honestissima 477/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian A rich woman moribus natalibusque summatem who married an unnamed vir laudandus after he abandoned his affair with an ancilla Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.6.2
Anonyma 34 plebeia 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian
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Described as libera, the daughter of Sidonius’ nurse; Pudens’ colonus and inquilinus (‘cottager’) had run off with her, so Sidonius asked Pudens to raise him to plebeian and client status to legitimate the relationship Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.19.1–2 Bibliography: Grey (2008), Demicheli (2012)
Anonyma 35 plebeia 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Kidnapped by Vargi and sold openly in the market to an agent (negotiator noster) of Sidonius at Clermont, where she died; Sidonius asked Lupus of Troyes to look into the matter on behalf of her relatives Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.4.1–3
Anonyma 36 liberta Nutrix 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius’ nurse, apparently a freedwoman; her daughter wished to marry the son of Pudens’ nurse Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.19.1–2 Bibliography: Grey (2008), Demicheli (2012)
Anonyma 37 famula Nutrix 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Pudens’ nurse, apparently of servile status; her son wished to marry the daughter of Sidonius’ nurse Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.19.1–2
Anonyma 38 famula E V Spain Vandal Homoian Christian Mother of Geiseric, called a serva Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.358–9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 496
Anonyma 39 famula 477/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian The low-ranking (ancilla) paramour of an unnamed vir laudandus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.6.1
Anonyma 40 (Caretena) regalis Regina 474 Gaul, Lyon Burgundian Homoian Christian Wife of Burgundian king Chilperic II, compared to Tanaquil and Agrippina; see CIL 13.2372 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.7.7, 6.12.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 260–1, PCBE 4, 424, Heinzelmann 574
Anonyma 41 (Pelagia) regalis M V Gaul Visigoth Homoian Christian Of a barbarian royal family (propago regum); wife of Fl. Aëtius (ducis . . . coniunx), previous wife of Boniface, mother of Gaudentius, plotted against Majorian; barred from Gothic rule
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(exclusa sceptris Geticis), perhaps because of her conversion to Nicene Christianity; unnamed in Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.130–274 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 856–7, Heinzelmann 667
Anonyma 42 nobilis E V Spain Visigoth Homoian Christian Getic mother of Ricimer, genetrice Getes Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.360–2
Anonyma 43 ingenua 440s Gaul, Vicus Helena Frank Pagan Blonde bride at a ‘barbarian’, ‘Scythian’ wedding (nubebat fl avo similis nova nupta marito); carried off by Majorian (rapit victor nubentem nurum) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.220
Anonymus 1 (Gratian) Augustus Emperor 367–383 Dacia, Sirmium Roman Nicene Christian Son of Theodosius I, killed by Magnus Maximus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.355–6 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 400–1
Anonymus 2 (Magnus Maximus) Augustus Emperor 383–8 Spain Roman Nicene Christian Usurper, killed Gratian and executed by Theodosius I Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.355–6 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 588
Anonymus 3 (Marcianus) Augustus Emperor 450–7 Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian Father of Euphemia, father-in-law of Anthemius, called socerum Augustum and princeps, and described as having been deifi ed (parens divos) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.194–216
Anonymus 4 (Theodosius II) Augustus 402–50 Thrace, Constantinople Roman Nicene Christian The father-in-law (socer) of Valentinian III Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.229 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1100
Anonymus 5 (Valentinian II) Augustus 375–92 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Son of Theodosius I, expelled by Magnus Maximus, restored by Theodosius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.355 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 934–5
Anonymus 6 patricius M V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian
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Grandson of Fl. Afranius Syagrius, consul in 382, and father of Syagrius (redde te patri), thus also patriciae stirpis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.8.1–2
Anonymus 7 v.i. Praefectus praetorio M V Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Father of Auxanius, who was described as praefectoriis patribus, probably praetorian prefects Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1220 Anonymus 7
Anonymus 8 (Alcimus?) v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum 448–9 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Father of Sidonius: pater meus praefectus praetorio Gallicanis tribunalibus praesideret; he had at least two unnamed brothers, and a sister was married to Thaumastus, the father of Sidonius’ cousins Thaumastus, Apollinaris, and Simplicius; also had a granddaughter Eulalia who married Probus; he served with the father of Aquilinus; Sidonius never mentions his name, which, based on the names of his daughter Alcima and his nephew Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus of Vienne, might have been Alcimus; curiously, an Alcimus patricius was said later to have been married to Macedonia, daughter of Firminus, bishop of Viviers (Gallia Christiana 16.542) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.3.1, 3.12.5, 4.1.1, 5.9.2, 8.6.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1220 Anonymus 6, Mathisen 365; for the name: Mathisen (1981a) 100–1, 109, followed by Mascoli (2003a), (2010) 18
Anonymus 9 v.i. Praefectus urbi Romae 460s Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian The only unnamed individual in a list of distinguished late antique Italian writers, described as a vilicus (‘manager’) whom the senate of Rome preferred to municipalibus poetis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.302–3, 309–10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1222 Anonymus 15
Anonymus 10 v.i. Magister L IV Gaul, Lyon Roman Pagan Great-grandfather (proavus) of Sidonius; served as an urban prefect or a palatine or military magister (magisteriis palatinis militaribusque micuerant), if not both; he was equal in titulus to his son Apollinaris, who had been praetorian prefect of Gaul Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.3.1, 3.12.5 Bibliography: PLRE 1, 1011 Anonymus 35
Anonymus 11 (Fl. Merobaudes) v.i. Magister militum 435 Spain, Italy Frank Nicene Christian Panegyrist granted a statue by Valentinian III in Trajan’s Forum in Rome; he had moved from Baetica to Ravenna Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.297 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 756–8, Heinzelmann 652
Anonymus 12 (Nepotianus) v.i. Magister militum 458 Dalmatia Roman Nicene Christian
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Accompanied Majorian to Gaul and Lyon in 458–9; father of Julius Nepos, thus probably a native of Dalmatia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.553–7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 778
Anonymus 13 v.i. Procer maximus 455 Gaul, Viernum Roman Nicene Christian ‘The greatest of the leading men’ (procerum tunc maximus) of Gaul, so presumably a vir inlustris, encouraged Eparchius Avitus at Viernum near Arles to become emperor Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.530–71
Anonymus 14 v.i. Bishop E V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Grandfather of Proiectus, described as a praestantissimus sacerdos Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1233 Anonymus 96
Anonymus 15 v.i. Bishop M V Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Father of Germanicus of Cantilia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.13.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1237 Anonymus 122
Anonymus 16 v.i. Bishop M V Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian Father of Simplicius; Simplicius declined to be made bishop on earlier occasions in favour of his father and father-in-law (tam socero quam patre postpositis . . . honorari parentum maluit dignitate quam propria) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.9.20
Anonymus 17 (Hermes) v.i. Bishop 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius mentioned a visit at Narbonne ad pontifi cem, probably the bishop Hermes (Duchesne (1907) 1.303) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.443 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 980–1
Anonymus 18 (Iamlychus) v.i. Bishop 475 Gaul, Trier Roman Nicene Christian Bishop of Trier (antistitem civitatis vestrae); Sidonius seems not to have known his name; perhaps Iamlychus (Duchesne (1915) 3.33) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.17.3 Bibliography: PCBE 4, 1033–4
Anonymus 19 v.s. Praefectus annonae 468 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Recommended by Campanianus while Sidonius was praefectus urbi Romae
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.10.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1226 Anonymus 44
Anonymus 20 v.s. Proconsul M V Gaul, Carthage? Roman Nicene Christian Brother of Magnus, father of Camillus, uncle of Magnus Felix; probably proconsul of Africa, as opposed to Asia or Achaea, which had spectabilis rank, at some point before 439 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.5–8, Ep. 1.11.10 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1226 Anonymus 42
Anonymus 21 v.s. Vicarius septem provinciarum? 425/48 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Father of Aquilinus; served with Sidonius’ father under Honorius as a tribunus et notarius; under Valentinian III he governed ‘part of the Gauls’, perhaps as vicarius, whereas Sidonius’ father, as praetorian prefect, administered all of them; he had received his appointment fi rst: unus Galliarum praefuit parti, alter soliditati . . . ut prior fuerit fascium tempore qui erat posterior dignitate Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.9.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1227 Anonymus 49
Anonymus 22 v.s. Dux 460/7? Dacia, Serdica Ostrogoth? Homoian Christian Roman cavalry commander in Anthemius army, defended Illyricum against Hormidac Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.281–97 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1229 Anonymus 57
Anonymus 23 v.s. Dux 459/62 Illyricum Roman Nicene Christian Called dux noster; failed to protect Illyricum (Illyris ora) when it was attacked by Valamer’s Ostrogoths (excisam . . . Valameris ab armis) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.224–6 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1228–9 Anonymus 56
Anonymus 24 v.s. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Father of Proiectus: patre patruoque spectabilibus. His rank suggests that he had held an imperial offi ce Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1230 Anonymus 69
Anonymus 25 v.s. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Uncle of Proiectus: patre patruoque spectabilibus. His rank suggests that he had held an imperial offi ce Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.4.1 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1230 Anonymus 69–70
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Anonymus 26 v.c. Comes civitatis 470s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Comes civitatis Massiliensium; the Arvernian fortune-hunter Amantius became his client Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.5, 7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1229 Anonymus 61
Anonymus 27 (Claudius Claudianus) v.c. Tribunus et notarius L IV/E V East, Rome Roman Pagan Poet and panegyricist, described as Pelusiaco satus Canopo / qui ferruginei toros mariti / et Musa canit inferos superna Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.274 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 299–300
Anonymus 28 v.c. Aulicus 450/5 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Collega tuus, Consentius’ partner in the chariot race in Rome; one of the aulici Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.322
Anonymus 29 v.c. Numerarius E V Italy Roman Nicene Christian Father of Majorian; a numerarius of the magister militum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.116–25 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1235–6 Anonymus 114
Anonymus 30 v.c. Bishop M V Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian Father-in-law of Simplicius, who had earlier declined to be made bishop in favour of his father and father-in-law (socero quam patre postpositis . . . honorari parentum maluit dignitate quam propria) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.9.20
Anonymus 31 v.c. L IV/E V Gaul, Vienne Roman Nicene Christian Grandfather of Mamertus of Vienne, post avorum memoriam Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.1.7
Anonymus 32 v.c. E/M V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Father of Tonantius Ferreolus, described as minime silendus, apparently less distinguished than Ferreolus himself Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.12.1
Anonymus 33 v.c. M V Gaul, Cahors Roman Nicene Christian Poet and maximus sodalis of the fathers of Sidonius and Felix, followed Boniface and Sebastian to Athens Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 9.277–88 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1237 Anonymus 120
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Anonymus 34 v.c. M V Gaul, Autun Roman Nicene Christian Father of Aper; an Aeduan; left unnamed by Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234 Anonymus 101
Anonymus 35 v.c. M V Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Brother of Sidonius, father of Secundus, educated and supported by Faustus of Riez: germani . . . servatus tecum . . . pudor Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 16.71–7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234 Anonymus 98
Anonymus 36 v.c. 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Son of Turpio, brother of Turnus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.24.6
Anonymus 37 v.c. 460s Gaul, Narbonne Roman Nicene Christian Unnamed brother of Limpidius, whom Sidonius described as fraternam bene regulam sequentis; this might be the just-mentioned Marcellinus or the next-mentioned Marinus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.477 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234 Anonymus 100
Anonymus 38 v.c. 460s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Son-in-law of Simplicius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.11.2
Anonymus 39 v.c. 461 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Called noster interpres and nuntius, accused Sidonius of being a satirist prior to Majorian’s banquet in Arles Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.8
Anonymus 40 v.c. 461 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Married the daughter of Paeonius; of higher rank than she, he received a good dowry; Sidonius nicknames him Pamphilus and praises his good character Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.5, 7 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234 Anonymus 102
Anonymus 41 v.c. 461 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Stepfather of Paeonius, of higher rank than Paeonius’ father (claritas vitrici), thus senatorial whereas Paeonius was curial
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234
Anonymus 42 v.c. 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Stepfather of Donidius, who seems improperly to have bequeathed half of Donidius’ estate Eborolacum to a patrician family Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep.3.5.2 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234
Anonymus 43 v.c. 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Father of Frontina (quam verebatur mater pater venerabatur); an Arvernian Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.21.4
Anonymus 44 v.c. M/L V Gaul, Oléron Roman Nicene Christian Lived with his father Namatius at Oléron (tibi ac patri); Sidonius said that his son Apollinaris might visit them Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.6.12
Anonymus 45 v.c. 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Grandson of Eutropia, now deceased Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.2.1–4
Anonymus 46 v.c. 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Paternal cousin (patruelis paternus) of Vindicius; died unmarried and intestate; Vindicius desired to inherit by right of agnate kinship Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.1.3
Anonymus 47 v.c. 470s Gaul, Vienne Roman Nicene Christian Brother of Salonius; they had a house in Vienne and estates in the countryside, where they spent most of their time; like Sidonius, they were both clerics (professione sociamini) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.15.1
Anonymus 48 v.c. 475/80 Gaul, Soissons/Reims Roman Nicene Christian Father of Remigius and Principius, qui pater vobis . . . cui patri quondam, videlicet vos habenti Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.14.2–3
Anonymus 49 v.c. 477/82 Gaul, Lugdunensis? Roman Nicene Christian Lupus of Troyes suspected that Sidonius had preferred another individual (quem praelatum suspicabare) as a recipient of a volume of letters (libellum); Sidonius replied that this individual
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had only one letter (and one mention) in the collection whereas Lupus had three (Ep. 6.1, 6.4, 6.9) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.11.5
Anonymus 50 vir honestissimus Decurion M V Gaul Roman Nicene Deceased father of Paeonius, of lower rank than Paeonius’ stepfather; presumably a decurion, given that Paeonius was municipaliter natus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.5
Anonymus 51 vir honestissimus Decurion 466–9 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene A vetus amicus with a new house near a river where Sidonius planned to stop on his way to his country villa outside Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.8.2
Anonymus 52 vir honestissimus Decurion 469/70 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Sidonius gave him a letter to the Breton warlord Riothamus asking help in recovering slaves who had been lured away (Britannis clam sollicitantibus); perhaps a decurion Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.9.2
Anonymus 53 vir honestissimus Decurion 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Son of Proculus, fl ed to Sidonius, who urged reconciliation with his father Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.23.1
Anonymus 54 vir honestissimus Decurion 470s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Father-in-law of Amantius; Amantius acquired some of his property (quae ad socerum pertinuerant) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.8
Anonymus 55 vir honestissimus Decurion 477/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian A young man (vir laudandus, perhaps an allusion to curial status) who had an affair with an ancilla but broke it off, on Ambrosius’ advice, after he had wasted much of his inheritance (bonusculis avitis paternisque); he then married a respectable woman and enjoyed honestissimus uxorius amor Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.6.1–2
Anonymus 56 vir honestissimus Decurion 477/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Father of a vir laudandus who had an affair with an ancilla Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.6.2
Anonymus 57 vir honestissimus Decurion 477/82 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian
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Grandfather of a vir laudandus who had an affair with an ancilla Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.6.2
Anonymus 58 vir honestissimus Cleric 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Father of Amantius: parentes natalibus non superbis sed absolutis . . . nihil illustre iactantes ita nihil servile . . . censu modico, probably of curial status and apparently a cleric (militia illis in clericali . . . comitatu); described as extremely parsimonious (granditer frugi) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.3
Anonymus 59 clericalis Priest M/L V Gaul, Cantilia Roman Nicene Christian Son of Germanicus of Cantilia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.13.4 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1234 Anonymus 103
Anonymus 60 clericalis Deacon 471/4 Gaul, Auxerre Roman Nicene Christian A refugee fl eeing Gothic depraedatio with his family: Sidonius asked bishop Censurius of Auxerre to allow him to harvest a crop he planted on church land Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.10.1–2
Anonymus 61 famulus 437 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian A dependent (famulus) of Eparchius Avitus; killed by a Hun raider Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.251
Anonymus 62 plebeius 450/5 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Sounded the trumpet to start the chariot race at Rome Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.339–40
Anonymus 63 plebeius Boatman 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Gubernator of the boat and oarsmen (remiges) that Agricola sent to Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.12.1
Anonymus 64 plebeius Estate manager 460s Gaul, Rhône Roman Nicene Christian Manager (actorem) of Pastor’s estate south of Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.20.4
Anonymus 65 plebeius Carriage driver 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Moderator essedorum, mentioned in Sidonius’ poem for the basilica in Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.10.4
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Anonymus 66 plebeius Archimagirus 460s Gaul, Nîmes Roman Nicene Christian Head cook at the estate of Tonantius Ferreolus near Nîmes Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.6
Anonymus 67 colonus Cottager 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian An inquilinus (‘cottager’), originalis, and colonus of Pudens; he had run off with a free woman (libera), the daughter of Sidonius’ nurse; Sidonius asked Pudens to raise him to plebeian and client status (cliens factus e tributario plebeiam potius incipiat habere personam quam colonariam) to legitimate the relationship Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.19.1–2 Bibliography: Grey (2008), Demicheli (2012)
Anonymus 68 famulus 466–9 Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian A letter carrier (tabellarius) and slave (puer) of Evodius who delivered a letter to Sidonius while he was on his way to his country estate outside Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.8.1
Anonymus 69 plebeius Scribe 468/9 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Secretary of Arvandus; after being arrested he admitted writing a treasonous letter dictated by Arvandus (scriba Arvandi correptus) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.5 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1235 Anonymus 107
Anonymus 70 plebeius Scribe 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian The copy editor (illo contra legente) for Sidonius’ bookseller; he was ill and could not do his job Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.15.1–2
Anonymus 71 plebeius Purchasing agent 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian An agent (negotiator noster) of Sidonius at Clermont; he purchased a woman ante aliquot annos who had been kidnapped and sold by the Vargi; she died in his household Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.4.1–3
Anonymus 72 plebeius Scribe 460s-470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius’ bookseller (mercennarius bybliopola), also called a famulus, but sounds like an inde- pendent businessman. Brought Ruricius a copy of the Heptateuch that he had copied and Sidonius had revised, and also maintained updated copies of Sidonius’ epigrammata Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.8.3, 5.15.1–2
Anonymus 73 plebeius 460s-470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian
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Killed by Vargi in an attack on travellers near Troyes Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.4.1–3
Anonymus 74 famulus 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian A puer familiaris of Sidonius who announced the arrival of the lector Constans Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.12.2
Anonymus 75 plebeius 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian A client (clientem) of Donidius, sent on a mission to a bishop Theoplastus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.5.1
Anonymus 76 plebeius 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Dependant of Sidonius; letter carrier (gerulo litterarum) to Eutropius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.6.1
Anonymus 77 plebeius 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Jewish Iudaeum praesens charta commendat: a Jew whom Sidonius commended to bishop Eleutherius for help with some unspecifi ed negotium Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.11.1
Anonymus 78 plebeius 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius commended to Fonteius of Vaison the letter carrier, for whom an unspecifi ed neces- sitas had arisen Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.4.3
Anonymus 79 plebeius 470 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Travelled to Arles to consult the togati (lawyers) about a will; Sidonius asked Leontius of Arles to chivvy the attorneys; perhaps one of the persons Sidonius commended to the lawyer Petronius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.3.2
Anonymus 80 plebeius 470/4 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius asked his cousin Apollinaris to look into damna infl icted on his letter carrier per Genesium vestrum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.6.4
Anonymus 81 plebeius 470/4 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Offered to carry a letter to Sidonius’ cousin Simplicius; Sidonius did a character study on him, and referred to the portitorum vilitate Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.7.1
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Anonymus 82 plebeius 476 Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian A tabellarius; delivered a letter of Lampridius to Sidonius when the latter arrived in Bordeaux Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.9.1
Anonymus 83 plebeius 477/82 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian A civis of the Auvergne, known to Sidonius but left unnamed; he visited Reims and acquired copies of Remigius’ declamationes that he donated to the church of Clermont Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.7.1
Anonymus 84 plebeius Scribe 477/82 Gaul, Reims Roman Nicene Christian Scribe and bookseller (bybliopola); sold the declamationes of Remigius of Reims to ‘a certain Arvernian’ Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.7.1
Anonymus 85 (Geisericus) regalis Rex 428–77 Spain, Carthage Vandal Homoian Christian Described as famula satus and as a latro; leader of the ‘Vandal enemy’ Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.57, 348, 441–2, 5.327–49 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 496–9, Montone (2012b)
Anonymus 86 (Godegiselus) regalis Rex 406 Spain Vandal Homoian Christian Father of Geiseric: incertum . . . patrem Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.358–9 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 515, Heinzelmann 618
Anonymus 87 regalis Rex M V Spain Sueve? Homoian Christian Father of Ragnahilda (tibi cui rex est genitor); the Suevic king Rechiarius (PLRE 2, 935) mar- ried a daughter of Theoderic I, so a marriage of Theoderic’s son Euric to Recharius’ daughter, Ragnahilda, would be almost expected. Omitted from PLRE Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.8.5
Anonymus 88 (Fredericus) v.i. Magister militum 455 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Brother of Theoderic II; supported Eparchius Avitus in 455 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.435, 519 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 484–5, Heinzelmann 611
Anonymus 89 v.s. Dux 455 Gaul, Rome Burgundian Homoian Christian A traitorous Burgundian leader (infi do . . . Burgundio ductu): perhaps Gundioc or Chiliperic I, who was somehow involved in the murder of Petronius Maximus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.442–3
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Anonymus 90 nobilis E V Spain Sueve Homoian Christian Father of Ricimer: patre Suebus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.360–2
Anonymus 91 ingenuus Soldier 437 Dacia, Auvergne Hun Pagan Killed a servant of Eparchius Avitus, who killed him Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.251
Anonymus 92 ingenuus 440s Gaul, Vicus Helena Frank Pagan Blond bridegroom at a ‘barbarian’, ‘Scythian’ wedding (nubebat fl avo similis nova nupta marito) that was disrupted by Majorian’s surprise attack Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.220
Anonymus 93 ingenuus Soldier 455 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Visigothic soldier who wanted a plough Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.410 ff.
Anonymus 94 ingenuus Soldier 458 Dacia Hun Pagan Hunnic auxiliary (Scytha) who had served previously with a northern king (classica regis Arctoi sequerer) and makes a long complaint during Majorian’s crossing of the Alps in the winter of early 458 Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.518–39
Anonymae 1 c.f. 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Sisters of Sidonius; his daughter Roscia was cared for in aviae amitarumque . . . sinu Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.16.5
Anonymae 2 plebeius Nutrix 460s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Clientularum sive nutricum . . . chorus of Papianilla and Sidonius; prepared lunch at Avitacum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.2.10
Anonymae 3 c.f. 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Female family members (matronales partes) who accompanied Volusianus and Lucontius to Bayeux Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.18.2
Anonymae 4 c.f. 470 Gaul, Cottion Roman Nicene Christian Sisters of Avitus of Cottion, one of whom died c. 470/1 and bequeathed the estate Cuticiacum to the other and to Avitus
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Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.1.3 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 1239
Anonymae 5 ingenuus 475 Gaul, Livia Visigoth Homoian Christian Two Gothic women (Getides anus), described as nil umquam litigiosius bibacius vomacius, who disturbed Sidonius’ rest when he was in exile at Livia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.3.2
Anonymi 1 patricius IV/V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Distant ancestors of Tonantius Ferreolus who had been conuls, patricians, and praetorian pre- fects: they boasted avitas . . . curules, patricias . . . infulas, and triplices praefecturas, and included Fl. Afranius Syagrius, consul in 382. Sidonius awkwardly suggests that if friendship and family had been the determining factors, as opposed to Ferreolus’ age, rank, and status, this book of letters would have been dedicated to him Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.12.1
Anonymi 2 patricius 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius asked Hypatius’ assistance in recovering from a patrician family (domus patriciae) half of Donidius’ paternal estate Eborolacum. Patrician families of Gaul included those of Priscus Valerianus, Tonantius Ferreolus, Magnus Felix, and, from the Auvergne, Eparchius Avitus and Ommatius. Sidonius was well acquainted with all of them Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.5.2
Anonymi 3 v.i. Consul IV Gaul, Auvergne Roman Ancestors (proavi) of Eparchius Avitus who had been consuls and praetorian prefects (quos quippe curules / et praefecturas constat debere nepoti) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.157–9
Anonymi 4 v.i. Praefectus E/M V Italy, Rome Roman Ancestors of Audax who had been prefects of Rome and/or Italy (praefecturae titulis) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.7.3
Anonymi 5 v.i. Praefectus praetorio Galliarum E/M V Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian Ancestors of Simplicius of Bourges who had been praetorian prefects and bishops: parentes ipsius aut cathedris aut tribunalibus praesederunt, inlustris . . . prosapia aut episcopis fl oruit aut praefectis Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.9.17
Anonymi 6 v.i. 467–8 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Sons, sons-in-law, and brothers of Gennadius Avienus, whose interests he promoted Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.9.3
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Anonymi 7 v.c. E/M V Gaul Roman Nicene Christian More recent ancestors of Tonantius Ferreolus, his father and uncles (patrem patruosque), who, Sidonius suggests, were rather less distinguished (minime silendos) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.12.1
Anonymi 8 (Palladii) v.c. Bishop IV/V Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian Bishops and rhetors, ancestors of the wife of Simplicius of Bourges: de Palladiorum stirpe descendit, they had occupied aut litterarum aut altarium cathedras and were a credit to their order (sui ordinis laude) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.9.24 Bibliography: PLRE 2, 821 Palladii 14, PCBE 4, 1401, Heinzelmann 661
Anonymi 9 v.c. Advocatus 449 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Primoribus advocatorum; present in 449 at Arles when Nicetius delivered a panegyric on the consul Astyrius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.6.5
Anonymi 10 v.c. Aulicus 450/5 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Group of young courtiers (coetus iuvenum, sed aulicorum) engaging in a chariot race in Rome Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 23.312
Anonymi 11 v.c. Proceres, nobiles 455 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Proceres and nobiles who assembled at Viernum outside Arles to acclaim Avitus as emperor: procerum tunc maximus, nobilium . . . sollertia, concurrunt proceres Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.530–77
Anonymi 12 v.c. 455–68 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Referred to as egregii proceres and patres: senators who heard Sidonius present panegyrics in Rome Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.129, 7.8
Anonymi 13 v.c. 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Leading citizens (civium primi) of Lyon who entertained themselves before mass at the church of St Justus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.17.4
Anonymi 14 v.c. 460s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian The fi ve children of Philomathia Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.8.1
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Anonymi 15 v.c. 460s Gaul, Rhône Roman Nicene Christian Brothers of Pastor, lived between Lyon and Arles Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.20.4
Anonymi 16 v.c. 460s Gaul, Nîmes Roman Nicene Christian Ball players (sphaeristarum contrastantium) on the estate of Tonantius Ferreolus near Nîmes; cf. Ep. 5.17.7 sphaeristarum . . . immiscuit Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.4
Anonymi 17 v.c. 460s Gaul, Nîmes Roman Nicene Christian Sons of Tonantius Ferreolus, described as lectissimos aequaevorum nobilium principes: one of them was Tonantius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.7
Anonymi 18 v.c. 461 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Friends of Paeonius who accosted Sidonius in Arles prior to the banquet with Majorian Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.11.8
Anonymi 19 v.c. 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Son and grandson of Eutropia, now deceased Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.2.2
Anonymi 20 v.c. 470s Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Children of Ecdicius, included in the suis liberis of him and Sidonius Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.16.4
Anonymi 21 v.c. 471 Gaul, Auvergne Celt Nicene Christian The nobilitas of Clermont was urged by Ecdicius to abandon ‘the rudeness of Celtic speech’ and become Latini Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.3.1
Anonymi 22 v.c. Delators 474 Gaul, Vaison Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius reported fi nding the clandestina delatorum . . . vestigia who had betrayed his cousin Apollinaris to the Burgundian king Chilperic II Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.7.1
Anonymi 23 v.c. 474 Gaul, Vaison Roman Nicene Christian
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Sodales of Sidonius and his cousin Thaumastus who identifi ed those who had informed on Sidonius’ cousin Apollinaris at Vaison Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.7.1
Anonymi 24 v.c. 474/5 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Children of Audax Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.7.4
Anonymi 25 vir honestissimus Decurion 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Leading men (summates viros) of Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.14.1
Anonymi 26 vir honestissimus Decurion 470 Gaul, Chalon-sur-Saône Roman Nicene Christian Inhabitants of Chalon-sur-Saône (oppidani) who were competing over the election of a new bishop Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.25.1
Anonymi 27 vir honestissimus Student 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Students (caterva scholasticorum) who played ball with Sidonius and his friends while waiting for mass to begin at the church of St Justus in Lyon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.17.6
Anonymi 28 vir honestissimus 470s Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Children of Amantius, and grandchildren (nepotes) of his mother-in-law Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.2.8
Anonymi 29 clericalis Priest 460s Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian The Visigothic king Theoderic II attended Homoian services conducted by a sacerdotum suo- rum coetus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.2.4
Anonymi 30 clericalis Priest c.470 Gaul, Bourges Roman Nicene Christian Presbyters who attended the ordination of Simplicius at Bourges Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.9.3
Anonymi 31 clericalis Priest 477/82 Gaul, Marseille Roman Nicene Christian Sidonius reported that Graecus of Marseille was suffering anguish on account of ‘certain broth- ers’ (quorumpiam fratrum necessitate multos pertuleritis angores), perhaps some of his own clergy, as
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also happened to Sidonius (Greg. Tur. Hist. 2.23 surrexere contra eum duo presbyteri, et ablata ei omni potestate) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.4.2
Anonymi 32 militaris Soldier 455 Gaul, Arles Roman Nicene Christian Soldiers present at the tribunal at Viernum outside Arles when Avitus was acclaimed as emperor in 455: nobilium excubias gaudens sollertia mandat . . . milite circumfuso Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.575–7
Anonymi 33 militaris Soldier 469/70 Gaul, Armorica Breton Nicene Christian Breton soldiers; enticed away Sidonius’ client’s slaves (mancipia sua); described as argutos, armatos, tumultuosos; Arvandus suggested to Euric that the Britanni on the other side of the Loire should be attacked Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.7.5, 3.9.2
Anonymi 34 militaris Soldier 471 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Ecdicius’ publicus exercitus, raised with private means (privatis viribus), with additional contri- butions from outside potentates (parvis extrinsecus maiorum opibus); Sidonius reports that with eighteen equites Ecdicius defeated aliquot milia Gothorum with a loss of only two or three men Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.3.2–7
Anonymi 35 plebeius 460s Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian Carried letters of introduction from Rusticus to Sidonius, who assisted them in their business Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.11.2
Anonymi 36 plebeius 460s Gaul, Lyon/Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Clients (clientesque) of Sidonius, accompanied him on a trip to Toulouse (profi ciscenti mihi Tolosam) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.24.4
Anonymi 37 plebeius Gravedigger 460s Gaul, Lyon Roman Nicene Christian Coffi n-bearers (corporum baiuli) who desecrated the tomb of Sidonius’ grandfather Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.12.1–2
Anonymi 38 plebeius Physician 460s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Medici who, Sidonius opines, ‘offi ciously kill many ill persons’ Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.12.3
Anonymi 39 plebeius Bandit 460s-470s Gaul, Troyes Roman Nicene Christian
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Local bandits (latrunculi) known as ‘Vargi’; they killed one traveller and kidnapped another, selling her into slavery. In Lex Salica 55.4, a ‘Vargus’ was an outlaw, in this case someone who had robbed a grave and was expulsus de eodem pago Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.4.1–3
Anonymi 40 plebeius 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Suppliant letter carriers (supplices baiuli) whose kinswoman (feminam de affectibus suis) had been kidnapped by the Vargi and sold as a slave on the recommendation of Pudens (collaudante con- tractum) to an agent of Sidonius in Clermont; they had considered pursuing a criminal charge (negotium criminale), presumably in Clermont, but because Prudens was now in Troyes, Sidonius asked bishop Lupus to arbitrate between them and Prudens Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.4.1–3
Anonymi 41 plebeius Astrologers 475/80 Africa Roman Pagan African astrologers consulted by Lampridius: mathematicos quondam de vitae fi ne consuluit urbium cives Africanarum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11.9
Anonymi 42 plebeius 470s Gaul, Lyon Roman Photinian Photinians converted by Eucherius: haereticorum numerum minui . . . Photinianorum mentes Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.12.4 Bibliography: La Ville de Mirmont (1909)
Anonymi 43 plebeius Boatman 475/80 Gaul, Bazas Roman Nicene Christian Helmsman and rowers of a boat taking Trygetius to Langon Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.12.5
Anonymi 44 famulus Exploratores 460s Gaul, Nîmes Roman Nicene Christian Dependants of Apollinaris and Tonantius Ferreolus who watched for Sidonius’ arrival Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.9.2
Anonymi 45 plebeius Scribe 477/82 Gaul, Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Helped copy works (scribarum sequacitas) of Faustus being carried north by Riochatus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 9.9.8
Anonymi 46 libertus 468 Italy, Rome Roman Nicene Christian Slaves freed by Anthemius during his consular ceremony (donabis quos libertate) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 2.544–8
Anonymi 47 libertus 475/6 Gaul Roman Nicene Christian
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Freedmen of Chariobaudus; they had performed some business (causis quas iniunxeras) and were now returning home Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.16.2
Anonymi 48 famulus 469/70 Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Slaves (mancipia) who had run away to the Bretons; Sidonius wrote to Riothamus to secure their recovery Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.9.2
Anonymi 49 famulus 460s-470s Gaul, Lyon/Clermont Roman Nicene Christian Mostly non-free dependents of Sidonius, described variously as assecularum meorum famulo- rumque (got drunk visiting Apollinaris and Tonantius Ferreolus), ministerii . . . famulatu (bath servants), famulos . . . mei . . . non totiens torqueantur (Sidonius showed clemency towards his servants), or, when travelling, domum totam, familia . . . nostris . . . puer, or pueri clientesque Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.2.5, 2.9.8, 2.12.3, 4.8.2, 4.24.4
Anonymi 50 famulus 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian Clients (clientes) and slaves (pueri) who accompanied Volusianus on a journey to Bayeux Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.18.2
Anonymi 51 famulus 470s Gaul, Auvergne Roman Nicene Christian The contented slaves of Vettius: servi utiles (rustici morigeri, urbani amici) oboedientes patronoque contenti Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 4.9.1
Anonymi 52 famulus 470s Gaul Roman Nicene Christian Slaves (pueros) of Donidius, on a mission to a bishop Theoplastus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.5.1
Anonymi 53 famulus Murderers 475/80 Gaul, Bordeaux Roman Nicene Christian Slaves who strangled Lampridius (pressus strangulatusque servorum manibus) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 8.11.11
Anonymi 54 nobilis Comes 460s Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian Members of the court (minimo comitatu) attending church services with the Visigothic king Theoderic II Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.2.4
Anonymi 55 nobilis Dux 455 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian
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Leaders of the Visigoths Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.405
Anonymi 56 nobilis Dux 471 Gaul, Auvergne Visigoth Homoian Christian Visigothic generals (duces partis imimicae) who attacked Clermont Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 3.3.4
Anonymi 57 nobilis 455 Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian The ‘senate’ of the Visigoths (Scythicusque senatus, also consilium seniorum) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.403, 458
Anonymi 58 nobilis 460s-470s Gaul, Lyon Burgundian Homoian Christian Burgundian elders (Germanorum senectus) impressed by Syagrius’ knowledge of German and skill as an arbitrator Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.5.3
Anonymi 59 ingenuus Soldier 455 Italy, Rome Barbarian Homoian Christian Soldiers and federates (tumultus militum . . . foederatorum) serving at the court of Petronius Maximus Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 2.13.5
Anonymi 60 ingenuus Soldier 457 Italy, Campi Canini Alamanni Pagan 900 Alamannic raiders in the Campi Canini in northern Italy (trux Alamannus / perque Cani quondam dictos de nomine campos / in praedam centum novies dimiserat); defeated by the dux Burco Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.389, 601
Anonymi 61 ingenuus Soldier 457/9 Africa Vandal Homoian Christian Moorish soldiers (milite Mauro) forced to accompany the Vandals in a raid on Campania Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.389, 601
Anonymi 62 ingenuus Soldier 457/9 Africa Moor Pagan Vandal raiders (pinguis . . . Vandalus . . . dat tergum Vandalus) defeated in a raid on Campania Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 5.385–424
Anonymi 63 ingenuus Soldier 460s Gaul, Lyon Burgundian Homoian Christian Barbarian auxiliaries (patroni) stationed on Sidonius’ estate at Lyon; described as crinigeras cater- vas, they smeared rancid butter in their hair (Burgundio . . . infundens acido comam butyro) Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 12.6–7 Bibliography: Smolak (2011)
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Anonymi 64 ingenuus Soldier 460s Gaul, Toulouse Visigoth Homoian Christian The Visigothic king Theoderic II was guarded by a comes armiger and a pellitorum turba satellitum Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 1.2.4
Anonymi 65 ingenuus 469 Gaul, Bourges Visigoth Homoian Christian Those qui fi dem fovent Arianorum at the episcopal election at Bourges in c.470, suggesting that Bourges was then controlled by the Visigoths Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 7.8.3
Anonymi 66 ingenuus 470s Gaul, Lyon Burgundian? Homoian Christian Barbarians, perhaps Burgundians, converted by Eucherius: a tuo barbaros . . . convincuntur verbo Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 6.12.4
Anonymi 67 ingenuus Soldier 474 Gaul, Vaison Burgundian Homoian Christian A turbo barbaricus aut militaris that Thaumastus feared would accuse Apollinaris of plotting to turn Vaison over to the emperor Julius Nepos Reference(s) in Sidonius: Ep. 5.6.1
Anonymi 68 ingenuus Bandit 478/82 Germania, Saintes Saxon Pagan Saxon archipiratae threatening the Gallic coast near Saintes; according to a superstitioso ritu they decimated their prisoners; cf. piratam Saxona Reference(s) in Sidonius: Carm. 7.369, Ep. 8.6.13–15
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Addua fl . R. Adda Italy Ep. 1.5.4 Aedui = Autun Gaul Ep. 4.12.3; Caes. Gall. Augustodunum = 5.18.1 5.6 Civ. Aeduorum Alba = Viviers Gaul Ep. 6.12.8 James (1977) Civ. Albigensium 406; Lauxerois (1985) Albis fl . R. Elbe Germany Carm. 7.391; Barrington Atlas 23.244 10 F3; for the R. Alve, see Loyen (1933a), Macé (1933), Loyen (1933b) Alingo Langon Gaul Ep. 8.12.3 Paul. Nol. CAG 33/1 Ep. 12.12, #255 176–7; 20.3 Villes (1992) 485 Alpes Alps Gaul Carm. 7.328; Caes. Gall. Ep. 1.5.2; 1.8.3; 1.10 2.2.1; 4.15.3; 5.16.1 Anio fl . R. Aniene Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Anonymus vicus n/a Gaul Ep. 4.8.3 Apta = Apta Julia = Apt Gaul Ep. 9.9.1 Notitia Col. Julia Apta = Galliarum 13 Civ. Aptensium Calentes Baiae = Vichy Gaul Ep. 5.14 Peut. Calentes Baiae: Aquae Calidae tab.1.bc.1–2 CAG 3.138; CAG 03 #306; PECS 181; Loth (1986) 61; Peut./ Miller (1964) 119; Desjardins (1876) 288–93; Corrocher (1976, 1981)
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Aquitania Aquitaine Gaul Ep. 2.10.4 v. Caes. Gall. 17; 6.12.9 1.1 Arar fl . R. Saône Gaul Carm. 5.208; Caes. Gall. Ep. 2.10.4 v. 1.12 22; 6.12.5 Arausio = Col. Julia Orange Gaul Ep. 6.12.8 Firma Secundanorum Arausio = Civ. Arausicorum Arelate = Col. Iulia Arles Gaul Ep. 1.11.2,7; Paterna Arelatensium 5.20.4; 6.12.8; Sextanorum = 7.12.3 Civ. Arelatensium Aremorica Armorica Gaul Carm. 7.370; Ep. 9.9.6 Ariminum Rimini Italy Ep. 1.5.7 Arverni = Clermont Gaul Ep. 3.12.2; Caes. Gall. Augustonemetum = 4.12.3; 6.12.8 1.31 Civ. Arvernorum Arvernia Auvergne Gaul Ep. 1.11.3–4, 2.1.1; 2.6.2; 3.2.1; 3.3.1; 4.21.2–3; 5.6.1; 7.1.1–2; 7.2.3; 8.1.1; 9.7.1; 9.9.3 Atax fl . R. Aude Gaul Carm. 5.209 Mela 2.81; Desjardins Pliny Nat. (1876) 1.176/7 2.32; Raven. cos. 4.28 Athesis fl . R. Adige Italy Ep. 1.5.4 Atrebates = Arras Gaul Carm. 5.213 Caes. Gall. Civ. Atrebatum 2.4 Atur fl . = R. Adour Gaul Ep. 8.12.7 Vib. Seq. Desjardins Aturius fl . Flum.; Ptol. (1876) 1.272/3 Geog.2.7 pl. 6; Atura = Vicus Julii = Aire-sur- Gaul Ep. 2.1.1 Notitia Loth (1986) Civ. Aturensium l’Adour Galliarum 12 38, 54
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Aureliani = Orléans Gaul Ep. 8.15.1 Itin. ant. CAG 45 #76 Cenabum Carnutum 367.6; Peut. 83–128; PECS = tab. 1.b.1 212; Loth Civ. Aurelianorum (1986) 62; Peut./Miller (1964) 100, 117; Desjardins (1876) 177–9; Debal (1983) Avennio = Col. Julia Avignon Gaul Ep. 6.12.8 Hadriana Avenniensis = Civ. Avenniensis Avitacum Aydat Gaul Carm. 19.1; Ep. 2.2.3 Baetis fl . R. Spain Ep. 9.297 Guadalquivir Baiae Baia Italy Ep. 5.14.1 Baiocasses = Bayeux Gaul Ep. 4.18.2 Not. dig. occ. Civ. Baiocassium 42 Belgica Belgium, N. Gaul Carm. 7.547; Caes. Gall. France Ep. 4.17.2; 1.1 9.7.1 Bigorra = St-Lézer Gaul Ep. 8.12.1 Notitia Villes (1992) Bigorra Castrum = Galliarum 12; 487; PECS Civ. Tarba Pliny Nat. 789, 880; Peut./ 4.108; Raven. Miller (1964) cos. 4.41 98; Coquerel (1964) Biterra = Béziers Gaul Ep. 8.4.2; Civ. Biterrensium 9.10.1 Bituriges = Bourges Gaul Ep. 7.5.1 Caes. Gall. Avaricum = 7.5 Civ. Biturigensium Brivas Vieille- Gaul Carm. 24.16 Villes Brioude (1992) 480; Weidemann (1982) 85–6; Gounot (1989) 132 Brixillum Brescello Italy Ep. 1.5.5
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Brundisium Brindisi Italy Ep. 1.10.2 Burdigala = Bordeaux Gaul Ep. 8.9.1; Itin. ant. PECS 172; Civ. Burdigalensium 8.12.1 456.5, 458.5, CAG 33/2; 461.2; Itin. James (1977) peut.: Itin. 411-12 burd. 549.7–9
Burgus Les Gogues, Gaul Carm. 24 Villes (1992) Cm. de 485; CAG 33/1 Bourg-sur- #63 109–12; Gironde Maufras (1904) Byrsa Byrsa Africa Ep. 7.7.2 v. 18 Byzantium Byzantium East Ep. 7.7.2 v. 15 Cabillonum = Chalon-sur- Gaul Ep. 4.25.1 Civ. Cabillonensis Saône Cadurci = Cahors Gaul Carm. 9.281 Pliny Nat. Villes (1992) Divona Cadurcorum 4.108–9; 61–6; PECS = Notitia 279; Sol (1936) Civ. Cadurcorum Galliarum 10; Ptol. Geog. 2.7 Caesena Cesena Italy Ep. 1.8.2 Calabria Calabria Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Calpis Gibraltar Spain Ep. 8.12.2 Cantilia Chantelle-la- Gaul Ep. 4.13 Peut. tab. CAG 03 #24 Vieille 1.b.1; Raven. 44–8; Fanaud cos. 4.40 (1967) Clausetia ----- Gaul Ep. 5.13.1 Clitis fl . R. Clitis Gaul Carm. 5.209 Clitumnus fl . R. Clitunno Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Cotti Cottian AlpsGaul Carm. 7.525 Cottion ----- Gaul Carm. 24.75 Cremona Cremona Italy Ep. 1.5.5 Cuticiacum ----- Gaul Ep. 3.1.2–3 Dalmatia Dalmatia Italy Ep. 1.5.7 Danubius R. Danube Germany Ep. 8.12.3
Duranius fl . = R. Dordogne Gaul Carm. 22.103 Ruric. Ep. Dorononia fl . 2.45; Auson. Mos. 464
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Eborolacum Ebreuil Gaul Ep. 3.9.2 CAG 03 #83 67 Elaver fl . = R. Allier Gaul Carm. 5.209 Caes. Gall. Elaris fl . 7.34–5, 53 Eridanus fl . R. Po Italy Ep. 1.5.3 Etruria Tuscany Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Euphrates fl . R. Euphrates East Ep. 7.17.2 v. 5 Europa Europe Europe Carm. 2.47; 5.8, 206–7 Fabaris fl . = R. Farfa Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Farfarus fl . Fanum Fortunae Fano Italy Ep. 1.5.7 Gabales = Javols Gaul Carm. 24.23; Notitia CAG 48 #4 Anderitum Gabalum Ep. 5.13.2 Galliarum 10; 33–43; Alla = Civ. Gabalum Pliny Nat. (1972–3) 4.108–9; Ptol. Geog. 2.7 Gaditani Cadiz Spain Ep. 8.12.2
Gallia Gaul Gaul Carm. 2.378; Caes. Gall. 5.206–7, 356, 1.1 446, 559; 7.117, 216, 298, 321, 516, 544, 585; Ep. 1.2.6; 1.7.4–5; 1.11.6; 3.12.5 v. 7; 4.17.3; 5.7.1; 5.9.2; 5.16.1; 6.12.5; 7.12.3; 8.6.5, 7; 9.13.5 v. 15
Gallia Cisalpina Cisalpine Gaul Italy Ep. 1.5.7 Caes. Gall. 6.1 Garumna fl . = R. Garonne Gaul Carm. 7.304; Caes. Gall. Desjardins Garuna fl . 22.108; Ep. 1.1; Auson. (1876) 1.272/3 8.12.5, 7; 8.9.5 Ep. 27.74; pl. 6 v. 44; 8.11.3 v. Ptol. Geog. 31; 8.12.5 2.7; Raven. cos. 4.40
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Gergovia ----- Gaul Carm. 7.152 Caes. Gall. 7.4 Gothia Gothia Gaul Ep. 7.12.3 Graecia Greece East Ep. 1.2.6 Gratianopolis = Grenoble Gaul Ep. 3.14.1 Cularo = Civ. Gratianopolitana Grinicum Grigny Gaul Ep. 7.17.3 Helena ----- Gaul Carm. 5.215
Hiberia Spain Spain Ep. 8.5; 9.13.5 v. 116 Hispania Spain Spain Carm. 7.527; Caes. Gall. Ep. 9.12.1; 1.1 9.13.5 v. 116 Hyrcania ----- Germany Carm. 7.326
Insula Tiberina Tiber Island Italy Ep. 1.7.12 Italia Italy Italy Ep. 1.2.6 Caes. Gall. 1.10 Iura montes Jura Gaul Ep. 4.25.5 Caes. Gall. Mountains 1.2 Lacus Lac d’Aydat Gaul Ep. 2.2.16
Laesora Lozère (Mt) Gaul Carm. 24.44
Lambrus fl . R. Lambro Italy Ep. 1.5.4
Lapurdum = Bayonne Gaul Ep. 8.12.7 Not. dig. occ. Villes (1992) Civ. Lapurdensis 42; Greg. 486–7; PECS Tur. Hist. 483–4; Jullian 9.20 (1905) Ledus fl . R. Laz Gaul Carm. 5.208 Leptis Magna Lepcis Africa Ep. 8.12.3 Liger fl . R. Loire Gaul Ep. 1.7.5; 3.1.5; Caes. Gall. 7.1.1; 7.12.3 3.9 Liguria Liguria Gaul, Carm. 9.291, Italy Ep. 1.5.4; 9.13.5 v. 12; 9.15.1 v. 44
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Lirinus Lérins Gaul Carm. 16.104; Ep. 7.17.3; 8.14.2; 9.3.4 Liviana Douzens Gaul Ep. 8.3.1 Peut. tab. Peut./Miller 1.b.2 (1964) 109 Lugdunensis Tertia Third Gaul Ep. 4.18.2 Lugdunensis Lugdunum = Lyon Gaul Carm. 14.24; Itin. ant. Peut./Miller Civ. Lugdunensium Ep. 1.8.1; 359.1 (1964) 94 2.10.2; 7.13.1; 9.3.5 Massilia = Marseille Gaul Carm. 23.155; Civ. Massiliensium Ep. 7.2.1 Matrona fl . R. Marne Gaul Carm. 5.208 Caes. Gall. 1.1; Raven. cos. 4.26, Greg. Tur. Hist. 5.40 Mediterraneus Mediterranean Gaul Ep. 8.12.7 Sea Medulorum litus Médoc Gaul Ep. 8.12.7 Auson. Ep. Duval (1955) 215 Metaurus fl . R. Metauro Italy Ep. 1.5.7 Mincius fl . R. Mincio Italy Ep. 1.5.4 Mosa fl . R. Meuse Gaul Carm. 5.208 Caes. Gall. 4.9 Mosella fl . R. Moselle Gaul Ep. 4.17.1 Nar fl . R. Nera Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Narbo = Col. Julia Narbonne Gaul Carm. 7.475, Itin. ant. Peut./Miller Paterna Claudia 22.1, 36–7; Ep. 389.6, 397.2; (1964) 109; Narbo Martius 8.4.2 Peut. tab. Gayraud (1981) Decumanorum = 1.b.2; Itin. Civ. Narbonensium burd. 552.2 Nemausus = Nîmes Gaul Ep. 2.9.1 Itin. ant. Loth (1986) 49 Col. Julia Augusta 388.7, 396.5; Nemausus Volcarum Peut. tab. Aremecorum = 1.c.2; Itin. Civ. Namausensium burd. 552.8 Nicer fl . R. Neckar Germany Carm. 7.324
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Nitiobroges = Périgueux Gaul Ep. 8.11.1 Caes. Gall. Villes (1992) Vesunna = Petrocorii 7.7; Pliny 125–9; PECS = Petrucorii = Nat. 4.108–9; 972–3; Civ. Petrocoriorum Peut. tab. Higounet- 1.a.1; Ptol. Nadal (1983) Geog. 2.7 Oceanus Atlantic Ocean Gaul Carm. 7.304; Caes. Gall. 22.108; Ep. 1.1 8.12.5, 7; 7.1.1 Octavianus ager ----- Gaul Ep. 8.4.1 Olario insula = Ile d’Oléron Gaul Ep. 8.6.12 Pliny Nat. Desjardins Uliaros insula 4.109 (1876) 1.272/3 pl. 6 Padus fl . R. Po Italy Ep. 1.5.5, 1.8.2; Caes. Gall. 9.13.5 v. 111 5.24 Pannonia Hungary East Carm. 7.590 Phocis Marseille Gaul Carm. 23.13 Picenum ----- Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Prusianum ----- Gaul Ep. 2.9.7 Pyrenei Pyrenees (Mts) Gaul Carm. 7.527 Caes. Gall. 1.1 Ravenna Ravenna Italy Carm. 9.298, Ep. 1.5.5, 1.8.2; 5.16.1; 7.17.2 v. 19 Reii = Riez Gaul Ep. 6.12.8; Notitia Reii Apollinares = 9.9.1 Galliarum 13 Col. Julia Augusta Apollinaris Reiorum = Civ. Reiensium Rhenus fl . R. Rhine Gaul Carm. 2.378; Caes. Gall. 5.208; 7.527; 1.1 Ep. 4.17.2 Rhodanus fl . R. Rhône Gaul Carm. 5.208; Caes. Gall. 7.301; Ep. 1.1 3.1.5; 6.12.5; 7.1.1; 7.12.3; 9.13.5 v. 114 Rhodanusia Lyon Gaul Ep. 1.5.1 Not. dig. occ. 42; Steph. Byz.
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Roma Rome Italy Ep. 1.5.1; 1.8.1; Steph. Byz.; 9.14.2, 4 v. 1 Scymnus of Chios, Descriptio orbis Rubicon fl . R. Rubicon Italy Ep. 1.5.7
Ruteni = Rodez Gaul Carm. 24.33; Pliny Nat. Villes (1992) Segodunum Ep. 4.15.2 4.108–9; 133–9; PECS Rutenorum = Notitia 818–19; Duval Etodunum = dignitatum; (1955) 215 Civ. Rutenorum Peut. tab. 1.b.2; Ptol. Geog. 2.7
Sancti Iusti Tomb of St Gaul Ep. 5.17.3 sepulchrum Justus
Senonia Sens Gaul Ep. 7.5.3 Septimania ----- Gaul Ep. 3.1.4 Raven. cos. 4.29
Sequana fl . R. Seine Gaul Carm. 5.208 Caes. Gall. 8.57
Sestiae Baiae = Aix Gaul Carm. 23.13 Notitia Aquae Sextiae = Galliarum 12 Col. Augusta Aquae Sextiae = Civ. Aquensium Susa Susa East Ep. 7.7.2 v. 7
Syrticus ager Syrtes Africa Carm. 17.13; Ep. 8.12.1
Taionnacus ----- Gaul Ep. 8.8.1
Tarnis fl . R. Tarn Gaul Carm. 24.45 Pliny Nat. 4.109; Auson. Mos. 465 Tarraconensis ----- Spain Ep. 9.12.1 Tiberis fl . R. Tiber Italy Carm. 2.332; Ep. 1.5.8; 4.17.1; 8.9.544
Ticinum Pavia Italy Ep. 1.5.3
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Tolosa = Toulouse Gaul Carm. 7.435; Itin. ant. PECS 928; Col. Julia Tolosa = Ep. 4.8.1; 458.3; Itin. Labrousse Civ. Tectosagum = 4.24.2; 5.13.1; burd. 551.2 (1969) Civ. Tolosatium 9.16.3 v. 66
Tres Villae ----- Gaul Carm. 24.84
Trevidos Trevidon, Gaul Carm. 24.32 CAG 48 #43 Cm. de 68; Bernardy St-Laurent-de- (1960) Trèves Tricasses = Troyes Gaul Ep. 6.4.2; 7, Augustobona 13, 1 Tricassium = Civ. Tricassium Tricastini = St-Paul-Trois- Gaul Ep. 6.12.8 Civ. Tricastinorum Châteaux Triobris fl . R. La Truyère Gaul Carm. 24.22 Troia Troy East Carm. 5.195; 7.274; Ep. 2.2.19 Tuncrum fl . ----- Germany Carm. 23.244 Turoni = Tours Gaul Carm. 5.211 Caes. Gall. CAG 37 #150 Caesarodunum = 2.35, 7.4, 76–105; PECS Civ. Turonensium 75; Peut. tab. 182–3; Pietri 1.a.1; Ptol. (1983) Geog. 2.8.14 Tyrrhenum mare Tyrrhenian Italy Carm. 7.526; Sea Ep. 6.12.6 Umbria Umbria Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Vac(h)alis fl . = R. Waal Germany Carm. 5.209, Caes. Gall. Vacalus fl . 13.31, 23.244; 4.10 Ep. 8.3.3 Valentia = Julia Valence Gaul Ep. 6.12.8 Valentia = Civ. Valentina Vardo fl . R. Gard Gaul Ep. 2.9.9 Vasates = Cossium = Bazas Gaul Ep. 8.12.1 Itin. burd. CAG 40 33; Civ. Vasatica 550.2; Pliny Duval (1955) Nat. 4.108–9; 219; Villes Ptol. Geog. (1992) 40–2 2.7
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Ancient Modern Sidonius Other Modern name name Region references references bibliography Vasio Vocontiorum Vaison Gaul Ep. 5.6.2; 7.4.4 = Civ. Vasiensium Velinus lacus Lago delle Italy Ep. 1.5.8 Marmore Vialoscum = Volvic Gaul Ep. 2.14.1 Walckenaer Martialis (1839) 1.343 Vienna = Vienne Gaul Ep. 5.6.1; 7.1.6; Col. Iulia 7.15.1 Augusta Florentia Viennensium = Civ. Viennensis Viernum/Ugernum Beaucaire Gaul Carm. 7.571–2 Peut. tab. Peut./Miller 1.c.1 (1964) 129 Visurgis fl . R. Weser Germany Carm. 23.244 Vorocingus ----- Gaul Carm. 24.52; Ep. 2.9.7
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