Priscus Attalus was a Greek from the Roman province of
Asia, whose father had moved to Italy under
Valentinian I. Attalus was an important
senator in Rome, who served as
praefectus urbi in 409. He was twice proclaimed emperor by the
Visigoths in an effort to impose their terms on the ineffectual Emperor Honorius, who ruled from
Ravenna. Attalus held the title of Emperor in Rome for a few months 409–410, and later in
Burdigala again for a few months in 414–415. The first reign ended when
Alaric 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 the
triumph Honorius celebrated in the streets of Rome in 416, before finishing his days exiled in the
Aeolian Islands. ==See also==