Gaudentius (magister equitum)

Gaudentius was a Roman magister equitum (master of the horse) who served under the Western Roman Emperor Honorius in the early 5th century CE. His career is primarily known through surviving legal texts and brief historical references.

His appointment as magister equitum indicates he held a high-ranking military position, second in command to the magister peditum (master of the infantry) and responsible for the cavalry forces of the Western Roman army. The exact dates of his tenure are uncertain, though it is generally accepted to have occurred sometime between 408 and 421 CE.

Very little is known about his personal life or specific military actions. The period in which he served was one of significant upheaval for the Western Roman Empire, marked by barbarian invasions, internal political instability, and the usurpation of several emperors. While his role in these events is not detailed in surviving sources, it is reasonable to assume that he played a part in the military efforts to defend the Empire during this tumultuous era.

The office of magister equitum held significant political weight, making Gaudentius a figure of influence within the imperial court. Further research into legal and administrative records of the period might reveal more information about his activities and the context of his service.