Felix

Who was Felix?

Flavius Felix was a politician of the Western Roman Empire, who reached the prominent rank of patrician before being killed by order of Flavius Aetius. For his consulate, in 428, he issued some consular diptychs, one of which has been preserved until modern times.

Felix served during the reign of emperors Valentinian III and Theodosius II. Between 425 and 429 he served as magister utriusque militae in defense of Italy, but despite a brief mention of one of his military actions in the Notitia Dignitatum, his subordinates Bonifacius and Flavius Aetius were considered more significant in this regard. In 426 he ordered the death of Patroclus, bishop of Arelate, and of Titus, deacon in Rome. The following year he opposed Bonifacius' rebellion in Northern Africa sending some troops to this province. This force was defeated by the troops loyal to Bonifacius.

In 428 he was elected consul for the West. In May 430, Felix, his wife Padusia and a deacon were accused of plotting against Aetius, arrested in Ravenna and killed by order of Aetius himself.

His carved ivory consular diptych is notable for depicting his clothing in great detail. The diptych, believed to be the earliest yet known, survived intact until the French Revolution, when the right leaf was stolen; it is now believed lost.