Ausonius, DECIVS MAGNUS, the most conspicuous Roman poet in the 4th century, was born at Burdigala (Bordeaux), about 309 A.D. Early distinguished for his eloquence, he was appointed by Valentinian tutor to his son Gratian; and he afterwards held the offices of quaestor, prefect of Latium, and consul of Gaul (379 A.D.). On the death of Gratian, Ausonius retired from public life to his estate at Bordeaux, where he occupied himself with literature and rural pursuits until the time of his death (392). It is most probable that Ausonius was a Christian, though the question has occasioned much controversy, and is perhaps made all the more uncertain by the impurity of his writings. His works include a collection of 150 epigrams, poems on his deceased relatives (Parentalia), and on his colleagues (Commemoratio Professorum Burdigalensium), epistles in verse and prose, and 20 so-called idylls, of which the tenth, Mosella, a description of a journey on the Rhine and Moselle, is perhaps the happiest of all his poems. Ausonius is but a poor poet, though he occasionally displays a certain neatness and grace of expression. The best edition is by Schenkl (Berl. 1883).
Auspices. See AUGURIES.