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.