SEXTUS AURELIUS, a Roman historian, who flourished under the emperors Constantius and Julian; as we learn from many passages in his own writings, and also from Ammianus Marcellinus. This historian relates, that Constantius made him consul, and honoured Victory honoured him with a brazen statue, on account of his excellent qualifications; although, as he owns of himself, he was born in an obscure village, and of poor and illiterate parents. It is commonly believed that he was an African: it is certain, that he dwells much upon the prairies of that country, which he calls the glory of the earth; decus terrarum. Two books of his are extant in the hiloical way: one De viris illustribus urbis Rome; the other, De Cesaribus; to which is prefixed Libellus de origine gentis Romanae. The whole makes an abridged history of Rome, from its foundation down to the reign of Julian inclusive.