Sidonius Apollinaris
Sidonius Apollinaris was a Christian bishop and poet from a Gallic landowning family, who lived during the late Roman Empire. He received a classical education in rhetoric, which positioned him well for a career in public service. In 451 CE, he married Papianilla, the daughter of Eparchius Avitus, and entered imperial service in 455 CE when Avitus became the Western Emperor. Sidonius adeptly utilized Latin panegyric to promote Roman virtues, leading to his appointment as prefect of Rome in 467 CE and later to his consecration as bishop of Clermont in 469 CE. His tenure was marked by efforts to navigate the political tensions between the Burgundians and the Ostrogoths while fostering independence for Gaul. Sidonius authored nine books of letters and twenty-four poems, which, though criticized for lacking literary greatness, offer valuable insights into the Gallic aristocracy and the role of the Church in preserving Roman traditions. His works reflect the complexities of a transitioning world as the Roman Empire declined and new powers emerged.
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Sidonius Apollinaris
Related civilizations: Gaul, Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Bishop, senatorial office-holder, man of letters
Life
A Christian and the son of a Gallic landowning family, Sidonius Apollinaris (si-DOH-nee-uhs uh-pahl-uh-NAR-uhs) enjoyed a classical Roman education in rhetoric and Roman tradition, preparing him for a public career. In 451 c.e., he married Papianilla, daughter of Eparchius Avitus. He entered imperial service in 455 c.e., when Avitus became the Western Augustus. His ability to use Latin panegyric to praise and publicize the Roman virtues of the emperor led to his reconciliation with Majorian in 458 c.e. and to the office of prefect of the city of Rome in 467 c.e. under Anthemius. Then in 469 c.e., the affairs of Gaul drew him home, and he was consecrated bishop of Clermont.
Romanized Clermont was caught up in the rivalries of the Burgundians and the expanding Ostrogoths. Sidonius worked for independence from both, and eventually he developed a working relationship with the Gothic court. He published nine books of his letters and twenty-four poems.
Influence
Sidonius’s poetry and letters are not great literature. They are typical rhetorical creations lacking originality and filled with stilted language and obscure phrases. They provide insight on the lives of the Gallic aristocracy and show how Sidonius used the Church as the vehicle to preserve the virtues of Roman tradition.
Bibliography
Drinkwater, J., and H. Elton, eds. Fifth Century Gaul: A Crisis of Identity? New York: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Harries, J. Sidonius Apollinaris and the Fall of Rome. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1994.