Avitus (Flavius Metsily Diocese Avitus)

(N-456) - Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, the successor of Petronius Maximus. By origin Gaul, a native Areverny (sovr. Clermont-Ferrand), senator, military commander of the emperor Valentinian III, associate Aetius. In July, 455 g. A. under the patronage of Visigothic king Theodoric II was proclaimed Emperor in Arelate (Arles). Roman Senate, opposed his election, supported the plot, which was headed by another warlord, barbarian Ricimer.

In early October, 456 g. he raised a revolt against. and forced him to give up on power by appointing the deposed emperor Bishop Platsentsii (current Piacenza). "But after learning that the Senate was still bitter against him and wants to take his life, he [Avitus. - Bus.] Many gifts rushed to the basilica of St. Julian, martyr of Clermont. However, in the way Avitus died, and his body was carried to the village Briud and buried in the footboard mentioned martyr "(Gregory of Tours, History of francs, II, 11). Jordan (The origin and deeds of Goths. 240, 241) in A. a son Ektsidy, . Roman military commander in Areverne; unsuccessfully tried to resist the expansion of the Visigoths in Gaul, . he "left the enemy country and, . especially important, . Arevernsky city and took refuge in the more protected places ", . for which he was deposed by the Emperor Nepos,
. A Daughter. Papianilla later became the wife of the bishop of Clermont Sea doniya. Emperor of the Western Roman Empire Ricimer nominally recognized the East Roman Emperor Markian.