ÆTIUS, one of the most zealous defenders of Arianism, was born at Antioch in Cele-Syria, and flourished about the year 336. Being left fatherless, and in poverty, he became a slave, and was afterwards a goldsmith, and also practised physic. After being servant to a grammarian, of whom he learned grammar and logic, he was ordained deacon at Antioch, and at length bishop, by Eudoxius, patriarch of Constantinople. Aetius was banished into Pisidia on account of his religious opinions; but was recalled from exile on the accession of Julian, and was much esteemed by that emperor. He died, it is supposed, at Constantinople, about the year 366. St Epiphanius has noticed 70 of his propositions against the Trinity. His followers were called ÆTIANS.