Symmachus, Quintus Aurelius (sĭm`əkəs), c.345–c.405, Roman government official and orator. Educated in Gaul, he held several official positions, including the consulship in 391. He is best known for his report to the emperor Valentinian II Valentinian II, 371?–392, Roman emperor of the West (375–92), son of Valentinian I. Upon the death of his father, he was proclaimed emperor with his brother Gratian as coregent. After the death (378) of Valens , Gratian made Theodosius I ruler in the East.
..... Click the link for more information. in 384 in which he argued for the retention of the old Roman religion in official state functions. His eloquent defense of ancient religious customs in the face of the inroads made by Christianity was successfully opposed by St. Ambrose Ambrose, Saint (ăm`brōz), 340?–397, bishop of Milan, Doctor of the Church, b. Trier, of Christian parents.
..... Click the link for more information. . His official correspondence was later collected by his son.

Symmachus, Quintus Aurelius

(born c. 340—died 402, Ravenna) Roman statesman, orator, and writer. A leading opponent of Christianity, he struggled with St. Ambrose to influence the increasingly Christian emperors Gratian (r. 367–383) and Valentinian II (r. 375–392) to tolerate paganism. As leader of the Senate in 387, he congratulated the new emperor, Magnus Maximus, on having driven out Valentinian. When Theodosius I reconquered Italy for Valentinian (388), Symmachus was forgiven and made consul (391).