, late 4th-early 5th century. Gildo was probably born in the 340s in
Mauretania Caesariensis, a Romanised
Berber by birth. Being a son of King
Nubel (
regulus per nationes Mauricas), he was brother to
Firmus. His other brothers were called
Mascezel, Mazuca, Sammac, and Dius. He had a sister named
Cyria. According to a hypothesis of
Stéphane Gsell that was later resumed and developed by
Gabriel Camps,
Nubel should indeed be identified with
Flavius Nuvel, officer of the Roman army, commander of a cavalry unit, the equites Armigeri junior, who with his wife Nonnica (or Monnica) had a basilica built around the middle of the fourth century, housing a relic of the
True Cross. 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 into the dungeons. But taken over by Mascezel's forces, he was arrested and died on July 31, 398, executed or forced to commit suicide. ==Notes==