ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study consists in identifying the existing relationship between the political ideas and manifested actions taken by Quintus Aurelius Symmachus and his friends, representatives of the traditional Roman elite of the late 4th century and early 5th century. This study dives deeply into the interiority of this group, integrated by those who shared the same mentality and formed an authentic circle originated by a rich and active network of contacts from all the regions of the Empire. It also unravels the coincidences and dissidents, alliances and estrangements among its members, and infers the reasons that enlightened their writings, guided their decisions and led them to the interventions in all areas of social reality, making them key protagonists for the understanding of the multifaceted events of the analyzed period.
Keywords:
Circle of Symmachus; aristocracies; coincidences; dissidents