Victor, Sextus Aurelius

, a Roman historian, lived in the fourth century, probably in the reigns of Constantius and Theodosius, as may be collected from some dates in his history. He was the son of very obscure parents, and had not the benefit of education. He was probably a native of Africa, as he makes very honourable mention of that country in his writings, calling it the glory of the world. In spite, however, of the meanness of his extraction, he had talents which raised him to the highest honours. In the year 361, Julian appointed him prefect of Pannonia; and, as, a recompense of his services, he was honoured with a statue of brass. A considerable time afterwards, he was prefect of Rome, and in the year 369 consul with Valentinian. He obtained this last dignity probably under the reign of Theodosius; for there is an inscription extant, which Se-xtus Aurelius Victor, prefect of the city, caused to be engraved on a monument in honour of Theodosiua. If all this belongs to the same Sextus Aurelius Victor, as is not unlikely, he filled, under various emperors, posts of great distinction, and appears to have lived till towards the end of the fourth century. | There are some works extant under his name: 1. “Arigo gentis Romanae.” This history should extend, ats its title imports, from the uncertain times of Janus to the tenth consulate of Constantius; but what remains comes no lower down than the first year from the foundation of Rome.

2. “DC virjx illustrious urhis Romoe.” This was often reprinted in the sixteenth century, un.ler the names of the younger Pliny, or Suetonius or Emilius Probus. It has also been attributed to Cornelius Nepos. The series of illustrious men begins with Phocas, and ends with Pompey.

3. “De Cwsaribus histori-a, ab Augusto Octavio, id est, a fine Titi Livii usque ad cousulatum decimum Constantii Augusti et Jdliaiii Caesaris t^rtium.” 4. “De vita et moribus imperatorum Romauorum exeerpta, e Coesare Augusto usque ad Theodosium imperatorem.” The third of these works, “De Ca-sanbus historia,” is, perhaps, the only one that can be ascribed with certainty to Aurelius. The first edition of Aurelius Victor was printed at Antwerp, 1579, 8vo, with notes by Schottus, who was the first restorer of the text. The other good editions arr the “Variorum,” by Pitiscus, 1696, 8vo; that by Arntzenius, Amst. 1733, 4to; by Gruner, 1757, 8vo and the Bipont. 1789. ¹