Flavius Astyrius[1] or Asturius[2] (fl. 441–449) was a general and a politician of the Western Roman Empire.

Biography

Astyrius was the father-in-law of Merobaudes and belonged to an aristocratic family.[3]

He followed a military career: between 441 and 443 he is attested as dux or magister utriusque militiae. In 441 he was in Tarraconensis (Spain), where he defeated the Bagaudae.[4] In 443 he was succeeded by his son-in-law Merobaudes.[5]

He was appointed consul for the year 449. At the beginning of his office he was in Gaul (probably in the capital city of the praetorian prefecture, Arelate), and Nicetius delivered a panegyric in his honour.[6]

A consular diptych produced by Astyrius in 449 is preserved at Liège. The diptych shows Astyrius seated on a curule chair wearing complete consular regalia and the inscription Flavius Astyrius vir clarissimus[7] et inlustris[8] comes[9] ex magistro utriusque militiae consul ordinarius.[10]

Notes

  1. ^ As spelled on his consular diptych (CIL XIII, 10032.2 = ILS 1300).
  2. ^ Rossi, ICUR, 745
  3. ^ As shown by the vir clarissimus rank.
  4. ^ Hydatius, 125 (sub anno 441).
  5. ^ Hydatius, 128 (sub anno 443).
  6. ^ Sidonius Apollinaris, Epistulae III.6.5.
  7. ^ The vir clarissimus rank was bestowed to aristocracy members since their birth.
  8. ^ The vir inlustris rank was awarded by the Emperor to a few high officers, among whom the magister utriusque militiae.
  9. ^ The rank of comes was probably conferred to Astyrius at the end of his office as magister utriusque militiae.
  10. ^ Mathisen.

Bibliography

Political offices Preceded byRufius Praetextatus PostumianusZeno Roman consul 449with Florentius Romanus Protogenes Succeeded byValentinian Augustus VIIGennadius Avienus
Categories