Sextus Aurelius, a Latin historian, lived in the age of Constantius and Julian. From the terms in which he speaks of Africa, describing it as "deceus terrarum," it has been conjectured that he was a native of that region. According to his own account, he was born in the country, and was the son of a poor and unlettered father. We learn from Ammianus Marcellinus that the Emperor Constantius having seen Victor the historian at Sirmium, afterwards appointed him prefect of Pannonia Secunda, and honoured him with a brazen statue. At a subsequent period, as we learn from the same authority, the office of prefect of the city was likewise conferred upon him. He is supposed to have been the same individual who in A.D. 369 was consul along with Valentinian. It has been inferred that he was not a Christian.

Aurelius Victor appears to have been the author of a work De Viris Illustribus Urbis Romae, which has repeatedly been printed under the names of Cornelius Nepos, Suetonius, and the younger Pliny. The first of his illustrious men is Proca, king of the Alans; the last Sextus Pompeius. Of this work his tract De Cæsariis is to be regarded as a continuation. It commences with Augustus, and continues with Julian. This tract first appeared in an edition of the author's works published by Andreas Schottus, Antwerp, 1579. Here we likewise find the earliest impression of the tract entitled Origo Graecæ Rerum, but whether it is a genuine production of the same author has been considered as extremely doubtful. Another work commonly ascribed to him bears the title, De Vita et Moribus Imperatorum Romanorum; excerpta ex libris Sexti Aurelii Victoris, a Caesare Augusto usque ad Theodatium Imperatorem. This title is not applicable to a work composed by Victor, but to one compiled from his writings. The materials appear to be borrowed from Suetonius, Eutropius, Ammianus, and Victor.

Of the entire works ascribed to this author there are several editions, accompanied with the notes of various critics. Among these we may specify that of Leyden, Lugd. Bat. 1671, 8vo. An edition "in usuam Delphini" was published by Madame Dacier, Paris, 1681, 4to. For another edition we are indebted to Pitiscus, Traj. ad Rhenum, 1696, 8vo. But the best edition of Victor is that of Arménien, Amst., 1733, 4to.

Claude Perrin, duke of Belluno and marshal of France, was born at La Marche in the department of Vosges, on the 7th of December 1764. In 1781, he entered the army as a common soldier, and had just received his discharge at the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789. Fired by the events of that period, he re-entered the army, and rapidly rose to the rank of adjutant-major and chief of a battalion. Having greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Toulon in 1793, where he was twice wounded, he was made adjutant-general, and in the end of that year was transferred to the army of the Eastern Pyrenees, with the rank of general of brigade. In 1796, he joined the army in Italy, where he greatly distinguished himself; and was raised to a general of division. After the peace of Campo Formio he was appointed to the command of the department of La Vendée, and by his wise and conciliatory measures he restored peace to that unsettled country. In 1798 he again entered Italy at the head of a division, and distinguished himself in numerous engagements. At the battle of Marengo, where his division formed part of the advanced guard, his bravery and perseverance were so conspicuous that he was presented with a sabre of honour. On the peace of Amiens he was sent to Denmark as ambassador from France, and he afterwards took part in the battle of Jena, where he was wounded. He fought with great gallantry in several subsequent engagements, and in that of Friedland (14th June 1807) where he commanded the first corps of the grand army, his services were of such importance that Napoleon made him a marshal of the empire on the field. After the peace of Tilsit, he was appointed governor of Berlin with the greater part of Prussia; and for the fifteen months that he held this important office, he seems to have conducted himself with great equity and moderation. In 1808, he was sent into Spain with the command of the first corps of the French army, and gained several brilliant victories, for which he was created duke of Belluno. In 1812, while engaged in the blockade of Cadiz, he was summoned to take a command in the Russian campaign, and distinguished himself particularly at the battle of Berezina. He commanded the second division at the battle of Dresden, and principally contributed to the victory. He maintained his reputation at those of Wachau, Leipsic, and Hanau. In 1814, he bravely seconded the efforts of Napoleon in opposing the advance of the allies. On the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty, he was among the first to tender his allegiance, and received the command of the second military division at Mezieres. On the return of Napoleon in 1815, he used his utmost endeavours against his old master, and was one of those that accompanied Louis XVIII. to Ghent. On the second restoration he was made a peer of France, and major-general of the royal guard. In 1821, he was appointed minister-of-war, and in 1823 accompanied the expedition to Spain as second in command. After the Revolution of 1830, he ceased to take any active part in public affairs, and died on the 3rd of March 1841.