Ancient Europe

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Britannica Hong Kong > Encyclopedia Categories > Ancient Europe > Symmachus, Quintus Aurelius

Symmachus, Quintus Aurelius

(born c. 340—died 402, Ravenna) Roman statesman, orator, and writer. A leading opponent of Christianity, he struggled with St. Ambrose to influence the increasingly Christian emperors Gratian (r. 367–383) and Valentinian II (r. 375–392) to tolerate paganism. As leader of the Senate in 387, he congratulated the new emperor, Magnus Maximus, on having driven out Valentinian. When Theodosius I reconquered Italy for Valentinian (388), Symmachus was forgiven and made consul (391).

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