Gildo

   Moorish rebel whose revolt (397-398) was suppressed by Stilicho (q.v.). Ironically, Gildo's rise to power was fueled by the rewards he received from Theodosios I (q.v.) for helping the emperor (q.v.) put down (in 379) a similar revolt by his brother Firmus. Like Firmus, Gildo sought to create a separate African kingdom. He sought to gain the political support of the eastern emperor Arkadios (q.v.) by offering to transfer the diocese of Africa (qq.v.) from Honorios (q.v.) to Arkadios. However, when he prevented the grain supply from reaching Rome (q.v.) Stilicho marched against him. Gildo was defeated in battle and killed. Despite this, the dream of a separate kingdom in Africa (q.v.) persisted among other barbarian peoples, among whom were the Vandals (q.v.).