RIC X

Arcadius to the end of the Western Empire

(395-476 AD)

Avitus (455-456 AD)

Eparchius Avitus (c. 385-after October 17, 456 or in 457) was Western Roman Emperor from (July 8 or July 9, 455 to October 17, 456).

Made magister militum (or Master of Soldiers) by Emperor Petronius Maximus, Avitus was sent on a diplomatic mission to his old student, Theodoric II King of the Visigoths, and was at Theodoric's court in Toulouse when Gaiseric invaded Rome, bringing Petronius Maximus's rule to a sudden end. Theodoric seized the opportunity and urged Avitus to assume the imperial throne, and with the acclamation of a gathering of Gallo-Roman senators, allowed himself to be persuaded. On July 9, 455, he was proclaimed emperor by the soldiers, and reached Rome that September.

The Apenninian populace never fully accepted his rule, so when his campaign against the Vandals failed in 456, and they pressed their blockade against Rome, his position became tenuous. Famine in Rome forced him to disband his Gothic bodyguard. But they needed to be paid, and he did not improve his standing with the Roman citizenry when he melted down a number of bronze statues to pay their outstanding wages. Ricimer and Majorian exploited this discontent by starting a general revolt.

Avitus fled to safety in Arles. A plea for help to Theodoric went unanswered, as the Gothic king was away in Spain campaigning against the Suevians. Avitus raised the best force he could and returned to Italy. He was defeated near Placentia and captured. His life was spared, and was allowed to become bishop of Placentia on October 17 (or October 18), 456; however, he still feared for his life and attempted to escape to safety in Gaul. According to Gregory of Tours, he died on the way there. Other sources have him murdered, either being strangled personally by Ricimer or trapped in his house and starved to death. (Taken from Wikipedia)

Catalogue:

RIC #	Picture	Description	Mintmarks and (Rarity)
AV solidus - RIC X, 2401 (Arles)		AVITUS. 455-456 AD. AV Solidus (4.41 gm). Arelate (Arles) mint. D N AVITVS PERP F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORI-A AVGGG, Avitus standing right, resting left foot on captive, holding long cross and Victory on globe; A-R/COMOB. RIC X 2401; Depeyrot 24/2; Lacam 8 (this coin); DOCLR 875. (Image courtesy CNG)
AV tremissis - RIC X, 2402 (Arles)		AVITUS. 455-456 AD. AV tremissis, 1.53 grams. Arelate (Arles) mint. D N AVITVS - PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Cross within a wreath, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2402; C.12; Lacam Tf. 53.