2. Ausonius was successively promoted to the Praetorian
praefecture of Italy (A.D. 377) and of Gaul (A.D. 378); and
was at length invested with the consulship (A.D. 379). He
expressed his gratitude in a servile and insipid piece of
flattery (Actio Gratiarum, p. 699-736 [ed. Toll. Amst.
1671]), which has survived more worthy productions.