Remistus (died September 17, 456) was a general of the Western Roman Empire and commander-in-chief of the army under Emperor Avitus.
Remistus | |
|---|---|
| Born | before 437 Gaul, Western Roman Empire |
| Died | September 17, 456 (aged at least 20) Ravenna, Western Roman Empire |
| Cause of death | Execution |
| Rank | Magister militum |
| Known for | First Visigothic Magister militum |
| Battles/wars | Roman civil war of 456 |
Remistus was a Visigoth, as shown by his Germanic name. In 456 Remistus reached a high military rank under Emperor Avitus, who probably appointed him magister militum , and received the rank of patricius : he was the first magister militum since the death of Aetius in 454 and the first barbarian magister militum.
The newly appointed general took up residence in Ravenna, the capital, with a group of Goths. That same year Avitus, who was opposed by the Roman Senate, decided to leave Italy and go to his native Gaul to gather reinforcements; Remistus remained back to control Italy. He clashed with the Senate army, led by the Italian magister militum Ricimer and was forced to return to Ravenna; besieged, he was captured and put to death in the Palace in Classis, just outside the city, on September 17.
The following month, Avitus was deposed and later died.
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