Caius Posthumus Dardanus

Who is Caius Posthumus Dardanus?

Caius Posthumus Dardanus was a praetorian prefect of Gaul from the early fifth century, who was against Jovinus, considered as a usurper of imperial authority. Dardanus made him suffer the last penalty after he had been defeated in Valencia by King of the Goths Ataulf.

In all likelihood, Dardanus came from a modest background and due to his studies and abilities reached the status of a patrician, and access to the post of prefect of the Gauls twice, probably the first time in 401-404 or 406-407 and 412-413 in a second time after the transfer in 407 of the seat of praetorian prefecture of Gaul from Augusta Treverorum to Arelate.

Dardanus was converted to Christianity and then retired to the Alps, where he began a correspondence with Jerome and Augustine of Hippo. An admirer of St. Augustine, with whom he had established a correspondence, he founded an institution called Theopolis. This institution was established in his domain, for which he expanded on both sides of the road leading from Sisteron to the present village of Saint-Geniez to which it gives the walls and doors. No archaeological remains of this city, only a Latin inscription carved in the rock face along the road.