Flavius Afranius Syagrius, Consul 382

Flavius Afranius Syagrius (fl. 369-382) was a Roman politician and administrator. He was a Roman senator. In the same years Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381). It is not always possible to distinguish the careers of the two men. The consul of 381 was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion. The consul of 382 was probably the one who was the maternal grandfather of Tonantius Ferreolus.

In 369 he is attested as notarius, when the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from office after a failed military operation. Thereafter, Afranius dedicated himself to private life. He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was Magister Memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. That same year he became Proconsul Africae. Between 18 June 380 and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praefectus Praetorio Italiae. In 381 he was also Praefectus Urbis Romae. In 382 he was chosen Consul by Emperor Gratian, serving with Flavius Claudius Antonius. The office of consul had great prestige and was eagerly sought by Roman citizens. In the second half of the 4th century it was usually attained as the culmination of a distinguished career, but it had become largely honorary, with minimal political responsibilities. He might also have been the Syagrius who was Praefectus Praetorio Italiae in 382.

He was a poet, and he might have been the Syagrius who was a pupil and friend of the poet Ausonius. Ausonius was the head of a famous school at Bordeaux, and was selected by emperor Valentinian as tutor for his son (the future emperor) Gratian. A number of his relatives and friends held various high imperial offices (Van Dam 1985, p. 304).

He was buried in Lyon, France, then Lugdunum, beneath an imposing monument at the city gate, "not quite a full bowshot" from the church, and a statue of him was erected in the city.

Family

He was the father of Syagria, the mother of Tonantius Ferreolus. He was also most likely the ancestor of Afranius Aegidius and his son Afranius Syagrius, as well as a relative of his predecessor Flavius Syagrius, Consul in 381, who was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion.

Ancestry

His ancestry is conjectural. He has long been a subject of debate for those attempting to trace the Carolingian dynasty of France, as well as their numerous descendants, from antiquity.

Syagrius was of paternal Roman descent, as evidenced by the fact he was a Senator. His name follows the traditional Roman trianomina format of praenomen, nomen and cognomen, where the nomen is the surname. His cognomen, Syagrius, means wild boar (Moriarty 1956). His praenomen, Flavius, became a popular given name from the time of the Flavian dynasty, but was also used as a courtesy title (Bagnall, et al. 1987, pp. 36 ff.).

Roman naming customs of the time suggest that his father was a man named Afranius and his mother probably a woman named Syagria. Therefore, he might have been a great grandson of Afranius Hannibalianus and of Postumius Syagrius. This reconstruction would make him a brother of Aelia Flavia Flaccilla, the first wife of Emperor Theodosius the Great.

Sources

• David Stone Potter, The Roman Empire at Bay: Ad 180-395, Routledge, 2004, ISBN 0-415-10057-7, pp. 545-546.
• Christian Settipani, Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne (France: Éditions Christian, 1989).
• Christian Settipani, "Continuité Gentilice et Continuité Familiale dans les Familles Sénatoriales Romaines l'Époque Imperiale, Mythe et Realité, Addenda I - III" (juillet 2000- octobre 2002) (n.p.: Prosopographica et Genealogica, 2002).
• Weis, Ancestral Roots (180-1) "GALLO-ROMANS AND ALSATIANS" p.117
• Wikpedia: English

  ---

  
  

Flavius Afranius Syagrius (fl. 369-382) was a Roman politician and administrator. He was a Roman senator. In the same years Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381). It is not always possible to distinguish the careers of the two men. The consul of 381 was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion. The consul of 382 was probably the one who was the maternal grandfather of Tonantius Ferreolus.

In 369 he is attested as notarius, when the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from office after a failed military operation. Thereafter, Afranius dedicated himself to private life. He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was Magister Memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. That same year he became Proconsul Africae. Between 18 June 380 and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praefectus Praetorio Italiae. In 381 he was also Praefectus Urbis Romae. In 382 he was chosen Consul by Emperor Gratian, serving with Flavius Claudius Antonius. The office of consul had great prestige and was eagerly sought by Roman citizens. In the second half of the 4th century it was usually attained as the culmination of a distinguished career, but it had become largely honorary, with minimal political responsibilities. He might also have been the Syagrius who was Praefectus Praetorio Italiae in 382.

He was a poet, and he might have been the Syagrius who was a pupil and friend of the poet Ausonius. Ausonius was the head of a famous school at Bordeaux, and was selected by emperor Valentinian as tutor for his son (the future emperor) Gratian. A number of his relatives and friends held various high imperial offices (Van Dam 1985, p. 304).

He was buried in Lyon, France, then Lugdunum, beneath an imposing monument at the city gate, "not quite a full bowshot" from the church, and a statue of him was erected in the city.

Family

He was the father of Syagria, the mother of Tonantius Ferreolus. He was also most likely the ancestor of Afranius Aegidius and his son Afranius Syagrius, as well as a relative of his predecessor Flavius Syagrius, Consul in 381, who was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion.

Ancestry

His ancestry is conjectural. He has long been a subject of debate for those attempting to trace the Carolingian dynasty of France, as well as their numerous descendants, from antiquity.

Syagrius was of paternal Roman descent, as evidenced by the fact he was a Senator. His name follows the traditional Roman trianomina format of praenomen, nomen and cognomen, where the nomen is the surname. His cognomen, Syagrius, means wild boar (Moriarty 1956). His praenomen, Flavius, became a popular given name from the time of the Flavian dynasty, but was also used as a courtesy title (Bagnall, et al. 1987, pp. 36 ff.).

Roman naming customs of the time suggest that his father was a man named Afranius and his mother probably a woman named Syagria. Therefore, he might have been a great grandson of Afranius Hannibalianus and of Postumius Syagrius. This reconstruction would make him a brother of Aelia Flavia Flaccilla, the first wife of Emperor Theodosius the Great.

Sources

David Stone Potter, The Roman Empire at Bay: Ad 180-395, Routledge, 2004, ISBN 0-415-10057-7, pp. 545-546. Christian Settipani, Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne (France: Éditions Christian, 1989). Christian Settipani, "Continuité Gentilice et Continuité Familiale dans les Familles Sénatoriales Romaines l'Époque Imperiale, Mythe et Realité, Addenda I - III" (juillet 2000- octobre 2002) (n.p.: Prosopographica et Genealogica, 2002). Weis, Ancestral Roots (180-1) "GALLO-ROMANS AND ALSATIANS" p.117 Wikpedia: English read more

Afranius was a member of the Gallo-Roman aristocratic family of the Syagrii, which originated in Lyon. In the same years in which Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381), but it is not always possible to distinguish the career of the two Syagrii.

In 369 he is attested as notarius: in that year the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from his office after a failed military operation, and Afranius dedicated himself to private life.

He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was magister memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. However, that same year he became Proconsul of Africa. Between June 18, 380, and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praetorian prefect of Italy. In 381 he was also praefectus urbi of Rome and Consul in 382.

Flavius Afranius Syagrius (floruit 345-382) was a Roman politician and administrator. He is claimed to be an ancestor of Saint Arnulf of Metz, being a rare case for descent from antiquity.

Afranius was a member of the Gallo-Roman aristocratic family of the Syagrii, which originated in Lyon. In the same years in which Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381), but it is not always possible to distinguish the career of the two Syagrii.

In 369 he is attested as notarius; in that year the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from his office after a failed military operation, and Afranius dedicated himself to private life.

He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was magister memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. However, that same year he became Proconsul of Africa. Between June 18, 380, and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praetorian prefect of Italy. In 381 he was also praefectus urbi of Rome and Consul in 382.

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Note On The Consuls Of 381 and 382

From the following source: Martindale, J. R. (1967). Note on the Consuls of 381 and 382. Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte, 16(2), 254–256. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4434985''

"With this measure shall be numbered the name of your general, and with the reputed kinsmen he of virtue shall be enumerated for the first honor of the genus Anghistia, I say the cousin and the undertaker." The,. Or. XVI 203D

The general was Saturnius, consul in 383. Two of the consuls in the years 381 and 382 were related to the emperor Theodosius. The patradelphos was Eucherius, one of the consuls in381; this is confirmed by Zosimus V 2,3, where an uncle (it should be greatuncle) of Arcadius is named Eucherius, cf. also Aur. Vict. Epit. de Caes. 48, 18 patruum colere tamquam genitoem.

The two consuls of 382 were Cladius Antonius and Flavius Syagrius. Which of these two was the undertaker of Theodosius?

Seeck's arguments in favour of Syagrius are as follows (Symm. p. CVIII, n. 508): (1) since Syagrius had held no office higher than the proconsulship of Africa he would not have become consul unless some special factor such as kinship had brought him to the emperor's notice; (2) Antonius had served in the West and must therefore have been raised to the consulship by the emperor in the West; consequently Syagrius must have been the nominee of the emperor in the East.

The discussion must now be reopened because fresh evidence undermines both words: under the patronage of Antonius the Glorius and Syagrio the Glorious [E]parch of the Holy Praetorium. In other words the two men called Syagrius who held the consulship in 381 and 382 respectively were both praetorian prefects, and a new attempt must now be made to determine the careers of all four consuls of 381 and 382. To anticipate for a moment, both Syagrii were praetorian prefects in the West, so the second argument used by Seeck does not prove that Syagrius was made consul in the East.

First, the two Syagrii. It is necessary to consider them together, because the presence of the two persons with the same name each holding high office makes the evidence very confusing at this date. No attempt to distinguish them is made in any ancient document, but it is possible to construct two coherent careers for them from the surviving evidence.

A number of laws covering the period from 380 to 382 are addressed "ad Syagrium PPO," with one law, dated October 381, addressed "ad Syagrium PU" and two laws, dated in early April 382, addressed to Severus who was the city-prefect at the time but is here addressed as "PPO."

The sequence of prefects seems to have been something as follows: Syagrius 1 (= cos. 381) was praetorian prefect from 380 (first attested 18 June 380 (Cth XI 30,38) to the spring of 382 (a law CTh XII I, 88 addressed to him being proposita at Carthage on 9 April 382, doubtlessafter being issued by Gratian either late in 381 or early in 382).

Meanwhile Syagrius 2 (= cos. 382) became city prefect of Rome late 381 (attested on 9 Oct. 381 CTh VIII 7, 15). In April 382 Severus, who may have succeeded Syagrius 2 as prefect of Rome and who is attested in this office from 1 April 382 (CTh V16,1+XIV 6,4) to 1 August 382 (CTh VIII 9,2), received two laws addressed "ad Severum PPO" ; the first was proposita at Rome on 2 April 382 (CTh VII 18,6) and the second issued at Milan on 3 April 382 (CTh VIII 4,13). Both laws concern normal business of the praetorian prefect; this would imply that the prefect (Syagrius 1) had died in office shortly before. Syagrius 2 was then appointed praetorian prefect, in which role he received CTh XI 16,14 which was lecta Capuae on 30 August 382.

If this reconstruction is correct, Syagrius 2 can plausibly be identified with Afranius Syagrius, the ancestor of Tonantius Ferreolus, whom Sidonius Apollinaris Ep. VII 12, 1 describes as having held "triplices praefecturas". The first of these will have been the city prefecture in 381, the second the praetorian prefecture in 382, and he must have later held a third prefecture, not otherwise recorded, possibly under the usurper Maximus.

Further, since Syagrius 1 seems to have held only one prefecture, he may be identical with the notary who was cashiered by Valentinian 1 in c. 369 after a disastrous expedition on the Rhine frontier, but who later became prefect and consul Amm. XXVIII 2, 5-9 "Syagrium tunc notarium, postea praefectum et consule,." If he had held more than one prefecture, Ammianus would probably have remarked on the fact.

The remaining careers of the two Syagrii before their prefecture are uncertain. In 379 a law addressed "ad Syagrium" was proposita at Cathage on 26 August (CTh 1 15,10); his office is not given, but since the law delimits the responsibilities of the addressee, the vicarius Africaw and the praefectus annonae (sc. Africae), it must have been addressed to the proconsul Afrcae. Another law which is dated 1 October 379 is addressed "ad Syagrium (CTh Vii 12,2) mag. officorum". It is just possible that the two offices were held by the same man, although the dates are rather close and there seems to be no other instance of a proconsul going on to become magister officiorum. If this is one man, the rapid promotion and the high palatine office suggest that he is to be identified with Syagrius 1, rising from procinsul of Africa to magister officiorum in 379 and advancing to the praetorian prefecture in 380. However it is more likely that we have to do with two different men in 379, and in this case the proconsul will be Syagarius 2. Syagarius 1, the former notary, probably returned to the palatine service after the death of Valentinian 1 and rose quickly to be magister officiorum in 379. Syagrius 2, proconsul in 379, may have gone on to be comes sacrarum largitionum in 381, for CTh 1 10,1 addressed "ad Syagrium PPO" on 5 July 381 appears under the title "de officio comitis sacraru largitionum" and concernsthe despatch of palatini into the provinces, a subject more appropriate to the CSL than the PPO.

The careers of the two Syagrii may now be summeriesed.

Syagrius 1 = Was a notary in c. 369, was cashiered but later returned to the palantine service, rose to be magister officiorum in 379 and praetorian prefect of Italy from 380 to 382, holding the consulship in 381 and dying during the spring of 382, probably in March.

Syagrius 2 {Flavius Afranius Syagrius}= was proconsul of Africa in 379, possibly comes sacrarum largitionum in the summer of 381, then city prefect of Rome in the autumn of 381, consul in 382, praetorian prefect of Italy during the summer of 382, and prefect for a third time at some later date.

This reconstruction disposes of Seeck's first argument, that Syagrius 2 held no office higher than proconsul. Futher both Syagarii were Western prefects; Syagrius 1 received Cth VII 18, 4 pp Romae and CTh XII 1, 88 pp Karthagine, and Syagrius 2 CTh XI 16,14 lecta Capuae, while all their laws were issued in the West.

The other two consuls of 381 and 382 are Flavius Eucherius in 381, the uncle of Theodosius, and Claudius Antonius in 382.

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Flavius Afranius Syagrius (fl. 369-382) was a Roman politician and administrator. He was a Roman senator. In the same years Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381). It is not always possible to distinguish the careers of the two men. The consul of 381 was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion. The consul of 382 was probably the one who was the maternal grandfather of Tonantius Ferreolus.

In 369 he is attested as notarius, when the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from office after a failed military operation. Thereafter, Afranius dedicated himself to private life. He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was Magister Memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. That same year he became Proconsul Africae. Between 18 June 380 and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praefectus Praetorio Italiae. In 381 he was also Praefectus Urbis Romae. In 382 he was chosen Consul by Emperor Gratian, serving with Flavius Claudius Antonius. The office of consul had great prestige and was eagerly sought by Roman citizens. In the second half of the 4th century it was usually attained as the culmination of a distinguished career, but it had become largely honorary, with minimal political responsibilities. He might also have been the Syagrius who was Praefectus Praetorio Italiae in 382.

He was a poet, and he might have been the Syagrius who was a pupil and friend of the poet Ausonius. Ausonius was the head of a famous school at Bordeaux, and was selected by emperor Valentinian as tutor for his son (the future emperor) Gratian. A number of his relatives and friends held various high imperial offices (Van Dam 1985, p. 304).

He was buried in Lyon, France, then Lugdunum, beneath an imposing monument at the city gate, "not quite a full bowshot" from the church, and a statue of him was erected in the city.

Family

He was the father of Syagria, the mother of Tonantius Ferreolus. He was also most likely the ancestor of Afranius Aegidius and his son Afranius Syagrius, as well as a relative of his predecessor Flavius Syagrius, Consul in 381, who was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion.

Ancestry

His ancestry is conjectural. He has long been a subject of debate for those attempting to trace the Carolingian dynasty of France, as well as their numerous descendants, from antiquity.

Syagrius was of paternal Roman descent, as evidenced by the fact he was a Senator. His name follows the traditional Roman trianomina format of praenomen, nomen and cognomen, where the nomen is the surname. His cognomen, Syagrius, means wild boar (Moriarty 1956). His praenomen, Flavius, became a popular given name from the time of the Flavian dynasty, but was also used as a courtesy title (Bagnall, et al. 1987, pp. 36 ff.).

Roman naming customs of the time suggest that his father was a man named Afranius and his mother probably a woman named Syagria. Therefore, he might have been a great grandson of Afranius Hannibalianus and of Postumius Syagrius. This reconstruction would make him a brother of Aelia Flavia Flaccilla, the first wife of Emperor Theodosius the Great.

Sources

• David Stone Potter, The Roman Empire at Bay: Ad 180-395, Routledge, 2004, ISBN 0-415-10057-7, pp. 545-546.
• Christian Settipani, Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne (France: Éditions Christian, 1989).
• Christian Settipani, "Continuité Gentilice et Continuité Familiale dans les Familles Sénatoriales Romaines l'Époque Imperiale, Mythe et Realité, Addenda I - III" (juillet 2000- octobre 2002) (n.p.: Prosopographica et Genealogica, 2002).
• Weis, Ancestral Roots (180-1) "GALLO-ROMANS AND ALSATIANS" p.117
• Wikpedia: English

  ---

  
  

Flavius Afranius Syagrius (fl. 369-382) was a Roman politician and administrator. He was a Roman senator. In the same years Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381). It is not always possible to distinguish the careers of the two men. The consul of 381 was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion. The consul of 382 was probably the one who was the maternal grandfather of Tonantius Ferreolus.

In 369 he is attested as notarius, when the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from office after a failed military operation. Thereafter, Afranius dedicated himself to private life. He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was Magister Memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. That same year he became Proconsul Africae. Between 18 June 380 and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praefectus Praetorio Italiae. In 381 he was also Praefectus Urbis Romae. In 382 he was chosen Consul by Emperor Gratian, serving with Flavius Claudius Antonius. The office of consul had great prestige and was eagerly sought by Roman citizens. In the second half of the 4th century it was usually attained as the culmination of a distinguished career, but it had become largely honorary, with minimal political responsibilities. He might also have been the Syagrius who was Praefectus Praetorio Italiae in 382.

He was a poet, and he might have been the Syagrius who was a pupil and friend of the poet Ausonius. Ausonius was the head of a famous school at Bordeaux, and was selected by emperor Valentinian as tutor for his son (the future emperor) Gratian. A number of his relatives and friends held various high imperial offices (Van Dam 1985, p. 304).

He was buried in Lyon, France, then Lugdunum, beneath an imposing monument at the city gate, "not quite a full bowshot" from the church, and a statue of him was erected in the city.

Family

He was the father of Syagria, the mother of Tonantius Ferreolus. He was also most likely the ancestor of Afranius Aegidius and his son Afranius Syagrius, as well as a relative of his predecessor Flavius Syagrius, Consul in 381, who was a friend and correspondent of Symmachus, the noted orator and vigorous defender of the pagan religion.

Ancestry

His ancestry is conjectural. He has long been a subject of debate for those attempting to trace the Carolingian dynasty of France, as well as their numerous descendants, from antiquity.

Syagrius was of paternal Roman descent, as evidenced by the fact he was a Senator. His name follows the traditional Roman trianomina format of praenomen, nomen and cognomen, where the nomen is the surname. His cognomen, Syagrius, means wild boar (Moriarty 1956). His praenomen, Flavius, became a popular given name from the time of the Flavian dynasty, but was also used as a courtesy title (Bagnall, et al. 1987, pp. 36 ff.).

Roman naming customs of the time suggest that his father was a man named Afranius and his mother probably a woman named Syagria. Therefore, he might have been a great grandson of Afranius Hannibalianus and of Postumius Syagrius. This reconstruction would make him a brother of Aelia Flavia Flaccilla, the first wife of Emperor Theodosius the Great.

Sources

David Stone Potter, The Roman Empire at Bay: Ad 180-395, Routledge, 2004, ISBN 0-415-10057-7, pp. 545-546. Christian Settipani, Les Ancêtres de Charlemagne (France: Éditions Christian, 1989). Christian Settipani, "Continuité Gentilice et Continuité Familiale dans les Familles Sénatoriales Romaines l'Époque Imperiale, Mythe et Realité, Addenda I - III" (juillet 2000- octobre 2002) (n.p.: Prosopographica et Genealogica, 2002). Weis, Ancestral Roots (180-1) "GALLO-ROMANS AND ALSATIANS" p.117 Wikpedia: English read more

Afranius was a member of the Gallo-Roman aristocratic family of the Syagrii, which originated in Lyon. In the same years in which Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381), but it is not always possible to distinguish the career of the two Syagrii.

In 369 he is attested as notarius: in that year the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from his office after a failed military operation, and Afranius dedicated himself to private life.

He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was magister memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. However, that same year he became Proconsul of Africa. Between June 18, 380, and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praetorian prefect of Italy. In 381 he was also praefectus urbi of Rome and Consul in 382.

Flavius Afranius Syagrius (floruit 345-382) was a Roman politician and administrator. He is claimed to be an ancestor of Saint Arnulf of Metz, being a rare case for descent from antiquity.

Afranius was a member of the Gallo-Roman aristocratic family of the Syagrii, which originated in Lyon. In the same years in which Afranius lived, another Syagrius is attested (he was consul in 381), but it is not always possible to distinguish the career of the two Syagrii.

In 369 he is attested as notarius; in that year the Roman Emperor Valentinian I removed him from his office after a failed military operation, and Afranius dedicated himself to private life.

He continued his career under Emperor Gratian, possibly because of his friendship with the poet Ausonius. Afranius was magister memoriae in 379, when some Theodorus succeeded him. However, that same year he became Proconsul of Africa. Between June 18, 380, and the Spring of 382 he is attested as Praetorian prefect of Italy. In 381 he was also praefectus urbi of Rome and Consul in 382.