Sidonius Apollinaris

Sidonius Apollināris, Gaius Sollius

Modestus. An orator born at Lugdunum (Lyons) about A.D. 431. He was raised to the senatorial dignity by the emperor Avitus, whose daughter he had married. After the downfall of Avitus he lived some time in retirement, but in 467 appeared again in Rome as ambassador from the Arverni to Anthemius. He gained the favour of that prince by a panegyric; was made a patrician, and praefect of the city; and soon afterwards, though not a priest, bishop of Clermont in Auvergne. His extant works are some poems (Carmina) and nine books of letters (147 in number) in imitation of Pliny and Symmachus. These are edited by Lütjohann (Berlin, 1887).