Avitus
Avitus: emperor of the West-Roman Empire (455-457).
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
Successor of: Petronius Maximus
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 and the Gallic aristocracy, but not recognized by the East-Roman emperor Marcianus
- 456 Consul (in the west); war against the Vandals; the Visigoths occupy parts of Spain (including Carthago Nova)
- The military leader Ricimer, fearing Avitus' increading power, forces 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 military leader Ricimer. They agree to put Majorian on the throne.
- Avitus dies in 457
Contemporary event
- 456 Panegyricus by Sidonius Apollonaris
Succeeded by: Maiorianus (after an interregnum)