Domitius Zenofilus

Zenofilus held the rank of {{lang|la|vir clarissimus}}, and thus was probably born into an aristocratic and senatorial family, but the commonness of his hereditary nomen, "Domitius", makes it difficult to ascertain his lineage.{{sfnm|1a1=Arnheim|1pp=173, 174|2a1=Novak|2p=309}} Chastagnol posited a Sicilian or eastern origin based on his Greek surname.{{sfn|Novak|p=309 (note 130)}} A Numidian inscription ({{AE|1915|30}}) recording a dedication by him to Aesculapius and Hygia indicates that he was probably a pagan.{{sfnm|1a1=Novak|1p=309|2a1=Cameron|2p=178}}

He is first known to have been governor ({{lang|la|corrector}}) of Sicily, and then of an unknown other province.{{sfn|Novak|p=309}} Later, on 13 December 320, he is attested as consular governor of Numidia ({{lang|la|consularis Numidiae}}) in north Africa,{{harvnb|Martindale|Jones|Morris|1971|p=993}}. He is the first known governor with the title consularis. {{harvnb|Arnheim|p=173}}. when he presided over the condemnation of Silvanus, the Donatist bishop of Cirta, as a traditor.{{sfn|Novak|p=309}} Zenophilus then appears to have served as proconsular governor of Achaia, no later than 323–324,{{sfn|Barnes|pp=106–107}} and in this capacity may have been involved in the Emperor Constantine's preparations of war against his rival Licinius.{{sfnm|1a1=Moser|1p=31|2a1=Novak|2pp=309–310}} He was afterward proconsul of Asia, probably from 325 to 327, and finally proconsul of Africa, from 328 to 332.{{sfn|Barnes|p=107}} Constantine appointed Zenofilus as one of the two consuls for 333, with Delmatius, the Emperor's half-brother, as his colleague. Novak concluded that Zenofilus's career demonstrates "he was clearly one of the Constantinian government's most ubiquitous servants and supporters".{{sfn|Novak|p=310}}

An inscription on a seat in the Colosseum, from the time of Odoacer, names one (...)enofilus, {{lang|la|clarissimus vir}}. If the correct name is Zenofilus, then the individual could have been a descendant of the consul, though Martindale also notes the restoration 'Menofilus' is possible.{{sfn|Martindale|1980|p=1203}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book |last=Arnheim |year=1972 |first=M.T.W. |title=The Senatorial Aristocracy in the Later Roman Empire |publisher=Clarendon Press |place=Oxford |isbn=0-19-814299-4 |authorlink=Michael Arnheim |ref={{sfnref|Arnheim}} }}
• {{cite book |last=Barnes |year=1982 |first=Timothy D. |title=The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine |publisher=Harvard University Press |place=Cambridge, MA |isbn=0-674-28066-0 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/321231?language=en |authorlink=Timothy Barnes (classicist) |ref={{sfnref|Barnes}} }}
• {{cite book |last=Cameron |year=2010 |first=Alan |title=The Last Pagans of Rome |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-974727-6 |author-link=Alan Cameron (classical scholar) |ref={{sfnref|Cameron}} }}
• {{Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire | volume = 1 }}
• {{Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire | volume = 2 }}
• {{cite book |last=Moser |year=2018 |first=Muriel |title=Emperor and Senators in the Reign of Constantius II |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-48101-4 |doi=10.1017/9781108646086 |url={{googlebooks|MpB2DwAAQBAJ|pg=PA31|plainurl=y}} |ref={{sfnref|Moser}} }}
• {{cite journal |last=Novak |year=1979 |first=David M. |title=Constantine and the Senate: an early phase of the Christianization of the Roman aristocracy |journal=Ancient Society |volume=10 |pages=271–310 |jstor=44079446 |ref={{sfnref|Novak}} }}

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{{s-bef|before=Lucius Papius Pacatianus|before2=Mecilius Hilarianus}}

{{s-ttl|title=Roman consul|years=333|with=Flavius Delmatius}}

{{s-aft|after=Flavius Optatus|after2=Amnius Anicius Paulinus}}

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Zenofilus

Category:4th-century Roman consuls

Category:Late-Roman-era pagans

Category:Roman governors of Achaia

Category:Roman governors of Africa

Category:Roman governors of Asia

Category:Roman governors of Sicily

Category:Clarissimi viri