The fifth century AD was a period of military turmoil and political upheaval in Western Europe. The career of the Gallo-Roman senator and bishop, Sidonius Apollinaris (c. 430-c. 485), holder of government office under three Roman emperors and later bishop of Clermont Ferrand, vividly illustrates the processes which undermined Roman rule. Both a career politician and an ardent Christian, Sidonius in his writings reveals both the confusion of loyalties afflicting an aristocracy under threat, and the compromises necessary for survival. Harries argues that Sidonius adapted literary conventions and exploited accepted techniques of allusion to explain his dilemmas, justify his own role, and convey his personal understanding of, and response to, the fall of Rome.

"A lucid, comprehensive, and thoughtful work. Highly recommended, both undergraduate and graduate levels."--Choice

"Harries is well informed about political, military, and ecclesiastical affairs and may be consulted with profit on many matters....[A] useful book..."--The Historian

"it is full of valuable insights into the thoughts and position of a genuine Roman aristocrat in a major transition period..."--The Journal of Indo-European Studies

"...a magisterial study of the last years of Roman Gaul in particular, and of the transition from the ancient to the medieval and hence to the modern world in general."--International Journal of the Classical Tradition

"A lucid, comprehensive, and thoughtful work. Highly recommended, both undergraduate and graduate levels."--Choice

"Harries is well informed about political, military, and ecclesiastical affairs and may be consulted with profit on many matters....[A] useful book..."--The Historian

"it is full of valuable insights into the thoughts and position of a genuine Roman aristocrat in a major transition period..."--The Journal of Indo-European Studies

"...a magisterial study of the last years of Roman Gaul in particular, and of the transition from the ancient to the medieval and hence to the modern world in general."--International Journal of the Classical Tradition

Includes bibliographical references (p. [252]-277) and index.