Avitus

Names:

• c.400: Flavius Maccilius Eparchius Avitus
• 9 July 455: proclaimed emperor by the Visigoths
• 17 October 456: resigned
• First half of 457: unknown cause of death

Main deeds:

• 455 Becomes emperor after the sack of Rome by the Vandals and the death of Petronius Maximus; strong backing from the Visigoths in Gaul, but not recognized by the East-Roman emperor Marcianus
• 456 Consul (in the west); war against the Vandals; the military leader Ricimer forced Avitus to resign; he becomes bishop of Piacenza
• 457 There is an interregnum, in which Marcianus dies. He is succeeded by Leo I, who tries to control Italian affairs through the milkitary leader Ricimer. They agree to put Maiorianus on the throne.
• Avitus died in 457

• 456 Panegyricus by Sidonius Apollonaris