AUSONIUS, DEctntuS MAC•NLTS, a Latin poet, was the second son of Julius Ausonius, an eminent physician at Bourdeaux. He was born early in the fourth century ; and his grandfather, a firm believer in astrology, having calculated his horoscope, flatter , ed his family with the hope that the child was des tined to rise to the most honourable elevation. His uncle, jEmilius Magnus Arborius, a professor of •rhetorieat Thoulonse, took a particular charge of his education, and the pleasure of witnessing the uncom mon progress which he made in the liberal arts. At the age of thirty he was appointed to the useful sta tion of teacher of grammar, and soon after to that of teacher of rhetoric, in his native city. In this comparatively obscure situation, he conducted him self so much to the satisfaction of his employcxs, that his high reputation extended to Rome, and he was chosen by the Emperor Valentinian to direct the studies of Gratian, his son. He had the good for tune, or rather the address, to make himself equally acceptable to his pupil and to the emperor ; both of whom loaded him with honours, as a. remuneration for his valuable services. During the life of Valen tinian he was appointed quxstor ; he was afterwards advanced to the prxtorian preefecture of Italy and Gaul ; and, in 379, lie was raised to the consulship, an office which the emperors generally conferred on their minions, but which, in this instance, was filled by a man, whose mental superiority enabled him to dictate to his master. The composition in which he testified his gratitude, (Actio Gratiaruni) is com monly accounted a proof of great liveliness and vi gour of mind in a man far advanced in years ; but Gibbon more justly charaaterises it as " a servile and insipid piece of flattery, which has survived more worthy productions." He died at a great age, to
wards the close of the fourth century. Theodosius had so great a respect for• him, that, according to some authors, he promoted him to the patrician dig. pity ; and it is certain, that the solicitation of this accomplished emperor induced him to publish his poetical works.
What was the religion of Ausonius has been much disputed. Vossius, and some other writers, whom Gibbon has followed, have no hesitation in pronoun cing him a pagan. But Paulinus, bishop of Nola, who had been his pupil, speaks of him as a Christian. Yet, in his.own writings, we can discover no internal evidence that he had adopted the true faith. In 60111e of his verses he appears to be sceptical on the subject of a future life ; and some others, written by command of Valentinian, are so indelicate and tious as to render it questionable if their author had , any sense of religion at all. See Merry. de l' Acad. des In script. tom. xv. ; and Bayle, Did. I iistor. ct Grit.
His poetical character has generally been over rated. His productions rise above mediocrity. Most of the subjects are ephemeral ; and the execution bears evident marks either of negligence or affecta tion. His genius is undisputed ; but long before his time the taste of the Romans had degenerated ; and it is enough to say of Ausonius, that, in senti ment and diction, he rises above the ordinary level of his contemporary rivals. One of the best editions of his works was published at Paris in 1769, in four volumes 12mo, with a French translation. ().)