Late Roman Empire, Non-dynastic (455-476) (W) and the Leonid Dynasty (457-518) (E): Avitus (W)

83 AVITUS (77/62; r.07.455-10.456; d.457) (W)

Avitus was a senator and a high-ranking officer both in the civil and military administration. He was known mostly for his association with the Goths. In 437 he had joined Aetius in the fight against the Visigoths and had personally convinced Theodoric-I to accept a peace. In 451 he persuaded the king to join the fight against Attila, during which Theodoric was unfortunately killed. The king’s son Theodoric II (c.40; r.453-466) was, however, also on good terms with Avitus.

When the news of the death of Petronius Maximus reached Theodoric in 455 he suggested that Avitus should succeed to the throne. On July 9/10 Avitus was hailed emperor by the Visigoths, and several weeks later he was invested at Arles. He remained in Gaul for two months to consolidate his power in the region that was the centre of his support, and later went to Italy with a Gallic army. Around 5 August he received the blessing of the Senate and at Ravenna he left a Visigothic force under the new patricius and magister militum Remistus (fl.455-456), a Visigoth. On 21 September he entered Rome.

Avitus’ position relied on his acceptance by the Senate and the Eastern emperor Marcian, as well as of the army and its commanders, the generals ⁶⁹Flavius Ricimer (c.67; fl.456-472) and Majorian (c.41; fl.447-461), the future emperor.

After their sack of Rome, the Vandals raided the Balearics, Sicily, Campania, Sardinia and Corsica. Avitus demanded the observance of the 442 treaty, and in 456 to support his demand he despatched an army under Ricimer to Sicily. On a battlefield near Agrigentum on the southwest of the island, the Vandals forced the Romans onto the defensive but were unable to break Ricimer’s troops. They eventually retreated and took to their ships, chased by Ricimer who caught and defeated them in a naval battle off the coast of Corsica.

Ricimer, who after his great victory was now powerful and respected, and Majorian, who had a strong following among those troops formerly loyal to Aetius, now began to press forward with plans to depose Avitus. Also, Avitus does not appear to have been formally recognized by Marcian.

Circumstances in Rome worked against Avitus. That he was a Gallic aristocrat and appointed Gauls to high places won him disfavour in some circles; he was blamed for a famine in Rome; and was further disliked for melting bronze statues to strike coins in order to pay off his Visigothic troops.In the autumn Ricimer and Majorian revolted against Avitus, and the emperor was obliged to leave Rome and move north. Ricimer had the Senate order the deposition of Avitus and also the execution of his magister militum Remistus in Ravenna. Avitus appointed Messianus in Remistus’ place and prepared to face Ricimer and Majorian. The decisive battle took place at Placentia. The forces of Avitus were routed, Messianus was killed and Avitus died shortly afterwards.