Ecdicius

Ecdicius ( Ecdicius Avitus , born towards 420) was an aristocrat and senator Gallo-Roman.

Wire of the emperor Eparchus Avitus, he was educated with Clermont-Ferrand where he had a residence in addition to territories in the area. He was in the years a 460-470 rich and important character of the nobility, present at the court of Anthémius in 469.

He takes part with Sidoine Apollinaire (his brother-in-law) become bishop of Clermont in the resistance of the Auvergne against the attempts at conquest of the Visigoths, which make several times the seat of the city between 471 and 474. The legend wants that it succeeded in entering the city in spite of the seat with only 10 or 18 men. It provides defenders and vivres on its own goods of its fields, and perhaps by its diplomacy obtains the support of the Burgondes of Chilpéric II.

In 471 the emperor Anthémius sends in Gaulle an army directed by his own son Anthemiolus, to perhaps come to assistance of Auvergnats, but it is overcome by the Visigoths close to Arles.

In 473, the Visigoths take Arles and Marseilles and threaten to continue until in Italy.

In 474, for its exploits vis-a-vis the seat Visigoth, Ecdicius is made Patrice and is named Magister militum praesentalis by the new emperor Julius Nepos. But the pressure of the Visigoths still increases and in 475 Nepos is forced agree to yield the to them Auvergne in exchange of their withdrawal of Provence. Ecdicius is recalled in Italy and is replaced by Flavius Oreste like magister militum praesentalis . It had to flee Clermont and took refuge, perhaps, in the Royaumes burgondes.

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