Career
Probus' career was one of the most noteworthy in his age. He was Proconsul of Africa in 358 and then Praetorian prefect four times: Praetorian prefect of Illyricum in 364, Praetorian prefect of Gaul in 366, Praetorian prefect of Italy in 368-375 and again in 383-384; in the meantime, he held the consulship in 371, with Emperor Gratian as colleague.
In 372 he defended Sirmium against barbarian attack and in that same year he proclaimed Ambrose governor of Aemilia et Liguria. In 375 Probus was accused of corruption and repression in extorting taxes for Valentinian I. He served under Emperor Valentinian II, following him at the Eastern court when Magnus Maximus rebelled in the West.
His date of death is unknown, though he was still living in 390 when, according to the Vita Ambrosii of Paulinus of Nola, two Persian noblemen presented themselves before Theodosius I at Mediolanum but departed the next day for Rome in order to see for themselves Petronius Probus, the pride of the Roman aristocracy, a legend in his lifetime.
Read more about this topic: Sextus Claudius Petronius Probus
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