Gessius was born in
Athens, son of the pagan and sophist philosopher Leontius, and brother of
Valerius and Athenais. In 421 Athenais changed her name in
Aelia Eudocia and married the Emperor
Theodosius II; as result, Valerius and Gessius received several honours. Gessius become
Praetorian prefect of Illyricum, an office he probably lost after his sister lost her influence on the Emperor in 443 and went to
Jerusalem. == See also ==