Flavius Eutychianus Eastern Roman politician and consul of 398. Date of Birth: 01.01.0388 Country: Italy

1. Eutychianus: The Consul of 398
2. Religious Beliefs and Early Career
3. Rise to Prominence
4. Second Term as Praetorian Prefect

Eutychianus: The Consul of 398

Eutychianus was an Eastern Roman politician and the Consul of 398. According to the authors of the "Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire," he was likely the son of Flavius Taurus, the Consul of 361. This conclusion is based on the portrayal of Taurus as a philosopher-king in Synesius of Cyrene's "The Egyptians, or On Providence," with his children serving as the prototypes for the royal children Osiris and Typhon. However, scholars Timothy Barnes and Alan Cameron have convincingly argued that Typhon in this work refers to Flavius Caesarius, the Consul of 397, rather than Eutychianus.

Religious Beliefs and Early Career

Eutychianus was an adherent of Arianism. He served as the Count of the Sacred Largesses in 388 and by 390 had become an influential figure in the imperial court. From 396 to 397, Eutychianus held the post of Praetorian Prefect, likely in Illyricum, as evidenced by the Theodosian Code.

Rise to Prominence

Between 397 and 399, he served as the Praetorian Prefect of the East. In 398, he reached the pinnacle of his political career, becoming the Consul. However, with the fall of Eutropius in the summer of 399, Eutychianus was deposed and replaced by Aurelianus.

Second Term as Praetorian Prefect

Just a year later, Eutychianus was recalled by order of the powerful military commander, Gainas. Between 404 and 405, he served as Praetorian Prefect of the East for a second time.