Nicomachus Flavianus (
floruit 382-Roman Empire:* October 3—Theodosius I commands his general Saturninus to conclude a peace treaty with the Visigoths, allowing them to settle south of the Danube.They are installed as foederati in Moesia and Thrace with the title of "Allies of the Roman People", under the condition that they...
-
432-Western Roman Empire:* The Battle of Ravenna is fought between the two strong men of the Empire, general Flavius Aëtius and Count Bonifacius.-Art:* Church of Santa Sabina, Rome, is finished by Priest Petrus of Illyria....
), sometimes referred to as
Flavianus the younger, was a grammarian and a
politicianA politician or political leader is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, coup d'état, appointment, electoral fraud, conquest,...
of the
Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean. The term is used to describe the Roman state during and after the time of the first emperor,...
. He was the son of
Virius Nicomachus FlavianusVirius Nicomachus Flavianus was a grammarian, a historian and a politician of the Roman Empire.A pagan and close friend of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, he was Praetorian prefect of Italy in 390-392 and, under usurper Eugenius , again praetorian prefect and consul...
. He held several offices under emperors
Valentinian IIFlavius Valentinianus , known usually by his anglicised name, Valentinian II, was a Roman Emperor from 375 to 392.-Early Life and Accession :...
(371 - 392),
Theodosius IFlavius Theodosius , also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great , was Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. Reuniting the eastern and western portions of the empire, Theodosius was the last emperor of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empire...
(379 - 395), Honorius I (393 - 423), and
Valentinian IIIFlavius Placidus Valentinianus , known in English as Valentinian III, was among the last Western Roman Emperors .-Family:...
(425-455); together with his father he supported the usurper
EugeniusFlavius Eugenius was a usurper in the Western Roman Empire against Emperor Theodosius I. Though himself a Christian, he was the last Emperor to support Roman polytheism.-Life:...
until his defeat and death (392-394). Flavianus also edited a corrected version of
LivyTitus Livius , known as Livy in English, was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
's work.
Flavianus belonged to the
Nicomachi, an influential family of senatorial rank.
Nicomachus Flavianus (
floruit 382-Roman Empire:* October 3—Theodosius I commands his general Saturninus to conclude a peace treaty with the Visigoths, allowing them to settle south of the Danube.They are installed as foederati in Moesia and Thrace with the title of "Allies of the Roman People", under the condition that they...
-
432-Western Roman Empire:* The Battle of Ravenna is fought between the two strong men of the Empire, general Flavius Aëtius and Count Bonifacius.-Art:* Church of Santa Sabina, Rome, is finished by Priest Petrus of Illyria....
), sometimes referred to as
Flavianus the younger, was a grammarian and a
politicianA politician or political leader is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, coup d'état, appointment, electoral fraud, conquest,...
of the
Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean. The term is used to describe the Roman state during and after the time of the first emperor,...
. He was the son of
Virius Nicomachus FlavianusVirius Nicomachus Flavianus was a grammarian, a historian and a politician of the Roman Empire.A pagan and close friend of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, he was Praetorian prefect of Italy in 390-392 and, under usurper Eugenius , again praetorian prefect and consul...
. He held several offices under emperors
Valentinian IIFlavius Valentinianus , known usually by his anglicised name, Valentinian II, was a Roman Emperor from 375 to 392.-Early Life and Accession :...
(371 - 392),
Theodosius IFlavius Theodosius , also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great , was Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. Reuniting the eastern and western portions of the empire, Theodosius was the last emperor of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empire...
(379 - 395), Honorius I (393 - 423), and
Valentinian IIIFlavius Placidus Valentinianus , known in English as Valentinian III, was among the last Western Roman Emperors .-Family:...
(425-455); together with his father he supported the usurper
EugeniusFlavius Eugenius was a usurper in the Western Roman Empire against Emperor Theodosius I. Though himself a Christian, he was the last Emperor to support Roman polytheism.-Life:...
until his defeat and death (392-394). Flavianus also edited a corrected version of
LivyTitus Livius , known as Livy in English, was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
's work.
Biography
Flavianus belonged to the
Nicomachi, an influential family of senatorial rank. His father was the pagan politician and historian
Virius Nicomachus FlavianusVirius Nicomachus Flavianus was a grammarian, a historian and a politician of the Roman Empire.A pagan and close friend of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, he was Praetorian prefect of Italy in 390-392 and, under usurper Eugenius , again praetorian prefect and consul...
, and had a brother. He married Galla, daughter of
Quintus Aurelius SymmachusQuintus Aurelius Symmachus , the cultured and prominent son of a prominent father, Lucius Aurelius Avianius Symmachus, in the patrician gens Aurelia, held the offices of governor of Africa in 373, urban prefect of Rome in 384 and 385, and consul in 391...
, from which received several letters and whose family had a long-time friendship and alliance with the
Nicomachi; it was probably in occasion of Flavianus' wedding that the "Nicomachorum-Symmachorum"
diptychA diptych is any object with two flat plates attached at a hinge. Devices of this form were quite popular in the ancient world, wax tablets being coated with wax on inner faces, for recording notes and for measuring time and direction...
was produced. As tradition for his family, he was patron of
NaplesNaples in Italy, is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples. The city is known for its rich history, art, culture, architecture, music and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,800 years old...
, and, sharing a common interest in his family, he edited works of pagan authors of the Roman literature: in particular, around
408For the area code, see Area code 408.-Western Roman Empire:*In the summer of this year, the usurper Constantine III captures Hispania, destroying the loyalist forces defending it.*September—Alaric, King of the Visigoths, lays siege to Rome....
he produced a corrected edition the first ten books of the
Ab Urbe conditaAb urbe condita is Latin for "from the founding of the City ", traditionally set in 753 BC. It was used to identify the Roman year by a few Roman historians...
of
LivyTitus Livius , known as Livy in English, was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
, while he was staying near
EnnaEnna is a city located in the center of Sicily in the province of Enna, towering above the surrounding countryside...
(he had estates in
SicilySicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an autonomous region of Italy. Several much smaller islands surrounding it are considered to be part of Sicily....
). His edition had been corrected by Victorinus before him, then bought by Symmachus, and finally, after Flavianus' edition, emended another time by his nephew
Appius Nicomachus DexterAppius Nicomachus Dexter was a politician of the Western Roman Empire.- Biography :Dexter belonged to the Nicomachi, an influential family of senatorial rank...
; all of the manuscripts of the first ten books of Livy's
Ab Urbe condita that were subsequently copied through the Middle Ages into modern times are derived by this single manuscript, thanks to whom those books have survived.
His political career is reported on an inscription (
CILThe Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum is a comprehensive collection of ancient Latin inscriptions. It forms an authoritative source for documenting the surviving epigraphy of classical antiquity. Public and personal inscriptions throw light on all aspects of Roman life and history...
, VI, 1783). His first office was
consularis-Roman history:Originally it was simple and adjective meaning "consular", but more interestingly it has also become a substantive, used in technical meanings.-Any former Consul...
Campaniae, that is governor of the region of
CampaniaCampania is a region of southern Italy in Europe. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,595 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
, a position held at a date unknown, but before the following office, the one of
proconsul-Ancient Rome:In the Roman Republic, a proconsul was a promagistrate who, after serving as consul, spent a year as a governor of a province...
Asiae (
382-Roman Empire:* October 3—Theodosius I commands his general Saturninus to conclude a peace treaty with the Visigoths, allowing them to settle south of the Danube.They are installed as foederati in Moesia and Thrace with the title of "Allies of the Roman People", under the condition that they...
-
383-Roman Empire:* January 19—Arcadius is elevated to Emperor.* Roman troops in Britain proclaim Magnus Maximus Emperor. He crosses over to the continent and makes Trier his capital...
), governor of Asia Minor. His father delayed his departure for his province; in this office he was the addressee of some laws later included in the
Codex TheodosianusThe Codex Theodosianus was a compilation of the laws of the Roman Empire under the Christian emperors since 312. A commission was established by Theodosius II in 429 and the compilation was published in the eastern half of the Roman Empire in 438...
, while
HimeriusHimerius , Greek sophist and rhetorician, was born at Prusa in Bithynia.He completed his education at Athens, whence he was summoned to Antioch in 362 by the emperor Julian to act as his private secretary...
dedicated in his honour three orations. He clubbed a
decurionA decurion may refer to:* A military officer in the Roman infantry or cavalry* A member of a Roman city or town council...
, and for this reason was dismissed from his office, taking a ship to go home. He was later recalled at court by
Theodosius IFlavius Theodosius , also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great , was Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. Reuniting the eastern and western portions of the empire, Theodosius was the last emperor of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empire...
, when the emperor was in Italy (389/391), but he did not receive any office.
After the death of
Valentinian IIFlavius Valentinianus , known usually by his anglicised name, Valentinian II, was a Roman Emperor from 375 to 392.-Early Life and Accession :...
,
EugeniusFlavius Eugenius was a usurper in the Western Roman Empire against Emperor Theodosius I. Though himself a Christian, he was the last Emperor to support Roman polytheism.-Life:...
usurped the throne of the Western part of the empire; both father and son sided with the usurper, and Flavianus
iunior became
praefectus urbiThe Praefectus urbanus or praefectus urbi was prefect of the city of Rome, and later of Constantinople. The office originated under the Roman kings, continued during the Republic and Empire, and held high importance in late antiquity. The office survived the collapse of the Western Roman Empire,...
of
RomeAncient Rome was a civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, it became one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. After the defeat and death of Eugenius at the
battle of the FrigidusThe Battle of the Frigidus, also called the Battle of the Frigid River, was fought between September 5–6 394, between the army of the Eastern Emperor Theodosius I and the army of Western Roman ruler Eugenius....
(september 394), Flavianus
senior committed suicide, while Flavianus
iunior received no harm from his support to the usurper, apart having to repay his father's wages as
praetorian prefectPraetorian 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...
. He received several letters by
Quintus Aurelius SymmachusQuintus Aurelius Symmachus , the cultured and prominent son of a prominent father, Lucius Aurelius Avianius Symmachus, in the patrician gens Aurelia, held the offices of governor of Africa in 373, urban prefect of Rome in 384 and 385, and consul in 391...
, a close and influential friend of his father, to suggest him to take part to the senatorial delegation to the emperor (
397- Religion :* Council of Carthage: The biblical canon is definitely declared.* The Candida Casa is founded by Saint Ninian, marking the beginning of missionary work among the Picts....
), in order to rehabilitate himself, but it is probable he did not follow Symmachus' suggestions. However he was invited in late
398- Western Roman Empire :* An imperial edict obliges Roman landowners to yield 1/3 of their fields to the barbarians who have been settled in the Empire.* Honorius marries, in quick succession, Stilicho's daughters Maria and Thermantia.- Deaths :...
to the celebrations for the inauguration of the emperor as
consul-Ancient Rome:During the time of ancient Rome as a Republic, the consuls were the highest civil and military magistrates, serving as the heads of government for the Republic. New consuls were elected every year. There were two consuls, and they ruled together...
for
399- Western Roman Empire :* Flavius Mallius Theodorus becomes Roman consul.* Gladiatorial schools in Rome are closed by order of the Emperor Honorius.- Eastern Roman Empire :...
.
In
399- Western Roman Empire :* Flavius Mallius Theodorus becomes Roman consul.* Gladiatorial schools in Rome are closed by order of the Emperor Honorius.- Eastern Roman Empire :...
-
400Year 400 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.-Western Roman Empire:* Italy is first invaded by Alaric ....
and then again in
408For the area code, see Area code 408.-Western Roman Empire:*In the summer of this year, the usurper Constantine III captures Hispania, destroying the loyalist forces defending it.*September—Alaric, King of the Visigoths, lays siege to Rome....
he was appointed
praefectus urbiThe Praefectus urbanus or praefectus urbi was prefect of the city of Rome, and later of Constantinople. The office originated under the Roman kings, continued during the Republic and Empire, and held high importance in late antiquity. The office survived the collapse of the Western Roman Empire,...
twice. The total number of prefectures was officially two, as the office held under Eugenius was not recognized, but one inscription refers vaguely to the number of terms, and on his edition of Livius' work there is a note referring to three prefectures. In
414-Religion:* Faxian returns from India and begins translating Buddhist works into Chinese.* Abdas, bishop of Susa, burns down a Zoroastrian temple; in retaliation, King Yazdegerd of Persia orders the destruction of Christian churches....
was sent in Africa together with Caecilianus to investigate a matter.
In
431-Western Roman Empire:* Aëtius pushes the Franks back across the Somme.-Eastern Roman Empire:* Marcian, future Eastern Roman Emperor, is captured while fighting the Vandals.-Americas:...
-
432-Western Roman Empire:* The Battle of Ravenna is fought between the two strong men of the Empire, general Flavius Aëtius and Count Bonifacius.-Art:* Church of Santa Sabina, Rome, is finished by Priest Petrus of Illyria....
was
praetorian prefectPraetorian 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...
of Italia, Illyricum and Africa.