Florentius (prefect)
Encyclopedia
Florentius was a Roman
praetorian prefect
under the Caesar Julian
and later a consul
, before falling from grace when Julian became emperor.
as a praetorian prefect of Constantius II
in 357. He spoke in support of engaging the enemy as the battle of Strasbourg
loomed. Later that year when revenue from Gaul did not reach desired levels from the poll-tax and the land-tax, he took measures to raise special levies to make up for the shortfall. However, Julian opposed the imposition of the extra burden on the people of Gaul and Constantius decided against the policy of his own prefect.
Florentius nevertheless continued as prefect in Gaul until early in 360, when an order came from Constantius for Gallic troops to be sent to the eastern front. The order, Ammianus Marcellinus
believed, was at the instigation of Florentius, who unaccountably withdrew to Vienne and busied himself there, Ammianus believing that this was anticipating the disturbances following the arrival of the order. And when Florentius heard that Julian had been raised to Augustus, he abandoned Gaul and sought out Constantius.
Constantius must have held him in high regard for first he appointed him praetorian prefect of Illyricum
when Anatolius died, then made him a consul in 361. When Julian's rebellion broke out, Florentius fled Italy. Not long after Julian became emperor a tribunal was set up at Chalcedon
early in 362, which condemned Florentius to death in absentia. When two former members of the secret service offered to point out to Julian where Florentius was hiding, Julian rebuked them as informers and refused to hear more, preferring to leave him hiding in fear.
The latter is the last historical mention of Florentius.
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
praetorian prefect
Praetorian prefect
Praetorian prefect was the title of a high office in the Roman Empire. Originating as the commander of the Praetorian Guard, the office gradually acquired extensive legal and administrative functions, with its holders becoming the Emperor's chief aides...
under the Caesar Julian
Julian the Apostate
Julian "the Apostate" , commonly known as Julian, or also Julian the Philosopher, was Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 and a noted philosopher and Greek writer....
and later a consul
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
, before falling from grace when Julian became emperor.
Life
Florentius is first heard of when he arrives in GaulPraetorian prefecture of Gaul
The praetorian prefecture of the Gauls was one of four large praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided.- History :...
as a praetorian prefect of Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
in 357. He spoke in support of engaging the enemy as the battle of Strasbourg
Battle of Strasbourg
The Battle of Strasbourg, also known as the Battle of Argentoratum, was fought in 357 between the Late Roman army under the Caesar Julian and the Alamanni tribal confederation led by the joint paramount king Chnodomar...
loomed. Later that year when revenue from Gaul did not reach desired levels from the poll-tax and the land-tax, he took measures to raise special levies to make up for the shortfall. However, Julian opposed the imposition of the extra burden on the people of Gaul and Constantius decided against the policy of his own prefect.
Florentius nevertheless continued as prefect in Gaul until early in 360, when an order came from Constantius for Gallic troops to be sent to the eastern front. The order, Ammianus Marcellinus
Ammianus Marcellinus
Ammianus Marcellinus was a fourth-century Roman historian. He wrote the penultimate major historical account surviving from Antiquity...
believed, was at the instigation of Florentius, who unaccountably withdrew to Vienne and busied himself there, Ammianus believing that this was anticipating the disturbances following the arrival of the order. And when Florentius heard that Julian had been raised to Augustus, he abandoned Gaul and sought out Constantius.
Constantius must have held him in high regard for first he appointed him praetorian prefect of Illyricum
Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum
The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum was one of four praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided.The administrative centre of the prefecture was Sirmium , and, after 379, Thessalonica...
when Anatolius died, then made him a consul in 361. When Julian's rebellion broke out, Florentius fled Italy. Not long after Julian became emperor a tribunal was set up at Chalcedon
Chalcedon tribunal
Shortly after the death of Roman emperor Constantius II, his successor Julian the Apostate held a tribunal at the city of Chalcedon, which was then a suburb of Constantinople...
early in 362, which condemned Florentius to death in absentia. When two former members of the secret service offered to point out to Julian where Florentius was hiding, Julian rebuked them as informers and refused to hear more, preferring to leave him hiding in fear.
The latter is the last historical mention of Florentius.