Nomos AG, 88
Avitus. AD 455-456. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Arelate (Arles) mint. DИ AVITVS P • RP F AVC, rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bearded bust right / VICTORI A AVCCC, Avitus standing right, holding long cross in right hand, Victory on globe in left, his right foot on bound captive; A R//COMOB. RIC X 2401 note (same obv. die as illustrated coin); Lacam Type 1, 4; Depeyrot 24/2; DOCLR -. Good VF, toned. Very rare.
Appointed magister militum in AD 455 by the emperor Petronius Maximus, Marcus Maecilius Flavius Eparchius Avitus was dispatched on a diplomatic mission to meet with the Visigothic foederatus, Theodoric, at that king’s capital in Toulouse. In the interim, however, Petronius Maximus had been assassinated and the Vandal Gaiseric sacked Rome. When news of these disasters reached Theodoric, he urged Avitus to march to Rome and assume the imperial throne, which he did. Avitus’ short rule was beset by famine and a general inability to gain the political upper hand. His incompetence allowed the two commanders of the Italian army, Ricimer and Majorian, to precipitate a general revolt, whereby Avitus was forced to flee back to Gaul to seek the protection of Theoderic. At Arelate Avitus found refuge. However, with no reply coming from his Visigothic ally, who was at the time fighting the Suevi in Spain, Avitus raised the best force he could and returned to Italy to regain the throne. He was subsequently defeated and captured near Placentia, but his life was spared and he was allowed to become the local bishop there. Still fearing for his life, Avitus attempted to flee to safety in Gaul, but died on the way there. Although some accounts attribute his death to natural causes, others relate that he was murdered, either being strangled personally by Ricimer or trapped in his house and starved to death.
