Messius Phoebus Severus
Flavius Messius Phoebus Severus was a Roman politician and philosopher. He was appointed consul with Flavius Iordanes for 470.Biography
Born in Rome, he studied at the school of the neoplatonist philosopher Proclus, in Alexandria; among the other students there were the Pagan poet Pamprepius, the military officer Marcellinus, the noble Anthemius, and Illustrius Pusaeus. During this period, a pause in his career after he had become disillusioned with public life, he received some scholars who were interested in his rich library.
In 467/469 Severus returned to Rome, where the Western Emperor Anthemius elevated him to the honour of the consulate in the year 470, as well as gave him the rank of Patricius and the office of Praefectus urbi. According to Damascius, Severus and Anthemius had a secret plan to restore the Pagan cults. During his office, he restored parts of the Colosseum.
