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| Priscus Attalus | |
|---|---|
.png) Coin of Priscus Attalus, 409 | |
| Roman emperor in theWest | |
| Reign | 409-410 and 414-415, againstHonorius |
| Predecessor | Honorius |
| Successor | Honorius |
| Died | after 416 Lipari Islands |
Priscus Attalus (Greek: Πρίσκος Άτταλος, died after 416) was twiceRoman usurper (in 409–10 and in 414–5), against EmperorHonorius, withVisigothic support. Originally a pagan, he was eventually baptized as anArian Christian,[1] thus becoming the last pretender to the Roman imperial office who did not professNicene Christianity.
Priscus Attalus was a Greek from the Roman province ofAsia, whose father had moved to Italy underValentinian I. Attalus was an importantsenator in Rome, who served aspraefectus urbi in 409. He was twice proclaimed emperor by theVisigoths in an effort to impose their terms on the ineffectual Emperor Honorius, who ruled fromRavenna.
Attalus held the title of Emperor in Rome for a few months 409–410, and later inBurdigala again for a few months in 414–415. The first reign ended whenAlaric believed it was hampering his negotiations with Honorius, and the second ended after he was abandoned by the Visigoths and eventually captured by Honorius's men. Attalus was obliged to participate in thetriumph Honorius celebrated in the streets of Rome in 416, before finishing his days exiled in theAeolian Islands.
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