Quintus Aurelius Symmachus

Quintus Aurelius Symmachus was a prominent Roman statesman, orator, and intellectual, born in the year three hundred forty-five. His political career was marked by significant appointments, including governor of proconsular Africa in three hundred seventy-three, urban prefect of Rome in three hundred eighty-four and three hundred eighty-five, and consul in three hundred ninety-one.

During a transformative period in Roman history, Symmachus was a staunch advocate for the preservation of traditional Roman religions, opposing the growing influence of Christianity among the aristocracy. He famously led a delegation to Emperor Gratian, protesting the removal of the Altar of Victory from the curia, the Senate's main meeting place. This effort, however, was unsuccessful, and he later made a notable appeal to Gratian's successor, Valentinian II, which was countered by Ambrose, the bishop of Milan.

Symmachus's political journey faced challenges when he supported the usurper Magnus Maximus, leading to a temporary setback in his career. Nevertheless, he was rehabilitated and returned to prominence, being appointed consul once again three years later. Following the death of Theodosius I, he allied with Stilicho, the guardian of Emperor Honorius, and together they worked to restore some legislative powers to the Senate.

Much of Symmachus's intellectual legacy endures through his writings, which include nine books of letters, a collection of official dispatches known as Relationes, and various oration fragments. His contributions to Roman political and cultural life remain significant, reflecting the complexities of his time.