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Avitus
Short Biography about the life of Avitus
Short Biography profile and facts about
one of the most famous Romans of all, in
the life of Avitus, Emperor of the Western
Roman Empire.
Name commonly
known as: Avitus *** Latin Roman
Name: Marcus Maecilius Flavius Eparchius
Avitus *** Reigned as
Roman Emperor / Caesar: July 9, 455
- 17 October 456 ***
Dynasty / Historical
Period: Western Empire (394 - 476) which
led to the disintegration of Roman authority
and the Fall of the Roman Empire
Date of Birth:
c. 395 *** Place and
Date of Death: 457AD ***
For the names
of the next Roman emperors in the East
and the West of the Empire refer to
the
Timeline of Roman Emperors
Interesting facts about the life of Avitus
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the
Roman Emperor Avitus from the following
facts and information about his life. There
was panic in the streets due to the after
the sack of Rome by the Vandals. The previous
emperor, Petronius Maximus, was killed in
the streets by the mob on 31 May 455. On
9 July 455 Avitus was proclaimed emperor
with backing by the Visigoths.
Marcian, emperor
of the Eastern Roman empire, refused to
recognize the emperors of the Western empire
and did nothing to aid the west during Attila's
campaigns or when the Vandals sacked Rome.
In 456 war with the Vandals continued but
the attempts by Avitus to defeat them failed.
There was famine in Rome and Avitus was
forced to disband his Visigoth bodyguard
in Rome. Leo I, the Emperor of the
Eastern Roman Empire, who was based in Constantinople,
tried to control Italian affairs through
Ricimer, who was a military leader and the
grandson of Wallia, king of the Visigoths.
Ricimer incited rebellion amongst the Romans
forcing Avitus to abdicate on 17 October
456 and he fled to Arles and then Gaul.
His attempt to return to Rome ended when
he was defeated in battle and captured
near Placentia. Ricimer granted the Avitus
the position of bishop of Placentia. But
he was not left in peace and the senate
ordered his execution. Once again Avitus
fled to Gaul but on the way he died. The
cause of death is unknown. There were rumours
that he had died from the plague but this
could have been a cover story for his assassination.
Avitus was succeeded by
Petronius
Maximus.
Avitus
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