Gildo

Gildo

Gildo (died 398) was a Roman general in the province of Mauretania. He revolted against Honorius and the western empire (Gildonic revolt) but was defeated and committed suicide.

Gildo was a Berber by birth. Being a son of military officer Nubel, he was brother to Firmus. When Firmus revolted against Valentinian I (375), Gildo stayed loyal to his emperor and, at the suppression of the revolt, was awarded with the immense patrimony confiscated from his brother.

In 386, Theodosius I appointed Gildo "Comes Africae" and "Magister utriusque militiae per Africam", as reward for his support to his father Theodosius the Elder in the suppression of Firmus' revolt. The Africa Province was ruled by Gildo with some sort of independence, and oppressed by every species of tyranny.

After the death of Theodosius and the rise to the throne of his sons, Arcadius and Honorius, Gildo saw an increase in his importance: the Africa Province, in fact, became entrusted with the grain supply to the city of Rome, a role played by Egypt until the split of the Empire into two halves. Incited by the political machinations of the eunuch Eutropius, Gildo seriously entertained the notion of joining the Eastern Roman Empire by pledging fidelity to Arcadius. The possibility of losing the granary of Rome led to civil turmoil in the city, and acting on an appeal by Stilicho, the Roman Senate declared Gildo an "enemy of the State" and started a war against him.

At the same time, Gildo had a quarrel with his brother Mascezel, who was obliged to flee to the court of Honorius; Gildo took revenge on his brother by killing his two sons. Mascezel was entrusted by Stilicho with the command of the war against Gildo and given the command of a chosen body of Gallic veterans, who had lately served under the standard of Eugenius. [Gibbon reports the units that formed the 5,000 soldiers strong military body: Quotation|These troops, who were exhorted to convince the world that they could subvert, as well as defend, the throne of an usurper, consisted of the Jovian, the Herculian, and the Augustan legions; of the Nervian auxiliaries; of the soldiers who displayed in their banners the symbol of a lion; and of the troops which were distinguished by the auspicious names of Fortunate and Invincible.|Edward Gibbon|The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire] Landed with his few troops in Africa, he camped in front of a large Moorish camp. Despite its superiority, Gildo's army melted in front of the superior discipline of Mascezel's army.

After the defeat, Gildo was obliged to flee in a small boat, hoping to reach the friendly shores of the Eastern Roman Empire. However, unfavourable winds drove the vessel back to the harbour of Tabraca, where the inhabitants were eager to display their new loyalty by throwing Gildo in the dungeons. To avoid the revenge of his brother, Gildo committed suicide by hanging.

Notes

References

* Platts, John, "s.v." "Gildo", "A New Universal Biography", Sherwood, Jones, and Co., 1826


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gildo — ist der Nachname des Künstlers Rex Gildo ein römischer Feldherr des 4. Jahrhunderts in Mauretanien, siehe Gildo (Feldherr) Siehe auch: Guildo Horn Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Un …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Gildo B — (Rosolina Mare,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 45010 Rosolina Mare, Италия Описание: Gildo B is a self catering accommodation located in Rosolina Mare. Accommodation will provide you w …   Каталог отелей

  • Gildo C — (Rosolina Mare,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 45010 Rosolina Mare, Италия Описание: Gildo C is a self catering accommodation located in Rosolina Mare. Accommodation will provide you w …   Каталог отелей

  • Gildo E — (Rosolina Mare,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 45010 Rosolina Mare, Италия Описание: Gildo E is a self catering accommodation located in Rosolina Mare. Accommodation will provide you w …   Каталог отелей

  • Gildo A — (Rosolina Mare,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 45010 Rosolina Mare, Италия Описание: Gildo A is a self catering …   Каталог отелей

  • Gildo D — (Rosolina Mare,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 45010 Rosolina Mare, Италия Описание: Gildo D is a self catering accommodation located in Rosolina Mare. Accommodation will provide you w …   Каталог отелей

  • GILDO — Rex Africae, aut potius Comes et Praef. sub Theodosio, contra fil. eius insurrexit, Mascezelis fratris sui filios necuit, qui in Italiam fugiens ab Honorio copias accepit, et cum 5. mil. pugnatorum fraternas copias ad 70000. delevit. Gildo ex… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • Gildo — Gildo, Maure, Comes militiae u. seit 386 Statthalter von Afrika, erhob sich gegen Honorius u. tödtete die beiden Söhne seines Bruders Mascezel; dieser floh nach Italien, erhielt von Stilicho 5000 Mann u. schlug G. G. erdrosselte sich selbst 398… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Gildo — Este artículo o sección necesita referencias que aparezcan en una publicación acreditada, como revistas especializadas, monografías, prensa diaria o páginas de Internet fidedignas. Puedes añadirlas así o avisar a …   Wikipedia Español

  • Gildo — ▪ Moorish leader died 398, Thabraca       Moorish potentate who rebelled against Rome in 397–398.       In 375 Gildo helped the Romans crush his brother Firmus, who was attempting to carve out an independent kingdom from a portion of Rome s… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”