8. Philostorgius, l. xii. c. 12 [14], and Godefroy's
Dissertat. p. 493, etc.; and Renatus Frigeridus, apud
Gregor. Turon. 1. ii. c. 8, in tom. ii. p. 163. The father
of Aetius was Gaudentius, an illustrious citizen of the
province of Scythia and master-general of the cavalry; his
mother was a rich and noble Italian. From his earliest
youth, Aetius, as a soldier and a hostage, had conversed
with the barbarians.