Datianus, consular

Flavius Datianus was a powerful courtier of the mid-fourth century who rose from humble origins as the son of a bath attendant to become one of the most influential figures at the court of the emperor Constantius II. Beginning as a notarius (imperial shorthand secretary), he accumulated wealth and patronage, was honored as a patricius, and reached the consulship in 358 AD. He maintained an estate near Antioch and corresponded with the orator Libanius, who courted his favor; he was remembered as a figure of formidable influence whose backing could make or break careers in the Greek East.