PRETESTATO, VETTIO AGORIO (Vettius Agorius Praetextatus). - A characteristic representative of the religious syncretism of the educated classes in the 4th century, he was, together with Nicomaco Flaviano and Simmaco, one of the most tenacious defenders of paganism in Rome. Proconsul of Achaia in 362, prefect of Rome in 367, and praetorian prefect in 384, he died in that year, when he had been designated consul.
Initiated into several mystery cults, he was also pontiff of Vesta, whose worship he promoted with such ardour as to merit a statue in the atrium of the goddess’s temple. He obtained from Valentiniano the suspension of the decree forbidding nocturnal sacrifices. He took an interest in philological criticism and in the revision of Greek and Latin texts. He was on terms with Pope Damaso, who vainly sought to convert him to Christianity, and, as prefect of Rome, intervened in the disturbances stirred up by Ursino over the election of that Pontiff. The laudatory epitaph which his wife dedicated to him shortly after his death is still preserved.
1912, pp. 44, 110, 131, 320; R. Paribeni, Da Diocleziano alla caduta d'Ill'Impero d'Occidente, Bologna 1942, p. 205 sg.; P. De Labriolle, La réaction palenne, Parigi 1942, pp. 349-51. Agostino Amore