Equitius (consul)

Roman army officer

Equitius

Born| Pannonia
Allegiance| Roman Empire
Rank| Magister militum

Equitius,[1] or Aequitius, was magister militum (or master of soldiers) in Illyricum in the Roman Empire.

## Career

[edit]

Born in Pannonia, he served together with the future Emperor Valentinian I as scutarius (or guardsman).[2] Being one of Valentinian's principal supporters, the new Emperor made Equitius magister militum in Illyricum in 364.[2] When Procopius rose up against Valentinian, Equitius remained loyal to the Emperor.[3] Procopius sent envoys to the Illyrian troops to secure their support, but Equitius had them captured and killed.[3] Valentinian appointed Equitius consul in 374.[4] In 375, when Valentinian died, Equitius was one of the generals who elevated the deceased emperor's second son, Valentinian II, as emperor.[5] He was last seen in the region of Illyria in 384.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ PLRE I p. 282
2. ^ a b Lenski 2014, p. 57.
3. ^ a b Coombs–Hoar 2015, p. 23.
4. ^ PLRE I p. 282
5. ^ Ps-Aurelius Victor, Epitome 45.10

## Sources

[edit]

* Coombs–Hoar, Adrian (2015). Eagles in the Dust: The Roman Defeat at Adrianopolis AD 378. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-78159-088-1.
* Lenski, Noel (2014). Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century A.D. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-23332-4.

Preceded by

Valentinian (I) Augustus IV
Valens Augustus IV

|  Roman consul
374
with Gratian Augustus | Succeeded by

Valens Augustus V
Valentinian (II) Augustus
in 376

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