RomanArmyTalk

Ave Civitas,

I have a question about the retention of titles.
In AD 392 both Arcadius and Rufinus were counsels.  Rufinus was not again after that, but would he retain that title as an honorific or would he revert to the next highest title he held when his counselship was finished?

Again, thank you in advance for you help.

You mean consuls.

I think you only held that title when you were actually it. Would be quite confusing with so many holding the consulship. Being a cinsul was mostly a honorary thing and as a title I think it would not weigh as very high.
Arcadius indeed was consul 6 times. Rufinus was soon after executed as Eastern praefectus praetorio in 395.

Victorius of Aquitaine, Cursus Paschalis a. CCCCLVII, continuata ad a. DXXXII:
http://www.vortigernstudies.org.uk/artso...stabel.htm

Late Roman Timeline 301 AD - 400 AD:
http://www.fectio.org.uk/articles/timeline4th.htm

Thank you.

I thought so, but wanted my thought confirmed.

Tom

While they would not retain the title of consul after their term in office, I believe they would retain the honorific title vir illustris, which came with it.

Nobiles, noble, was the honorific given to consular families.