Décimo Magno Ausonio

Décimo Magno Ausonio

Decimus Magnus Ausonius (Gambetta, Bordeaux today, 310 - † Bordeaux, 395), Latin poet and rhetorician. Son of Dr. Julio Ausonius, between 320 and 328 studied at Toulouse under the direction of his uncle, Professor Emilio Magno Arborio, also a poet. He returned to Bordeaux, taught first and then as a grammarian and rhetorician in various schools, then relocate to Trier, summoned by Valentinian I, to educate his son Gratian. There were between 364 and 368 Arriving Graciano to power, he granted Ausonius prefecture Africa, Italy and Gaul, and later the consulate. After the death of Gratian in 383, Ausonius returned to their properties along the Garonne river to devote himself to literature for ten years. From there he sent numerous letters in verse and prose eminent personalities, being still remembered and admired by everyone, including the emperor Theodosius. Although Christian, his work is included in almost all the pagan tradition, though it is considered a precursor of Latin Christian literature. His best student, Paulinus of Nola, abandoned literature to embrace Christianity and a life of retirement, asceticism and charity; Ausonius gave him letters asking sad to leave that life.