In 452, he was an envoy to Attila; together with Pope Leo I and Trigetius he successfully negotiated a truce.
Avienus was member of an ancient and noble Roman family, which traced back its origins to the consul of year 59, Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus.
[1] Avienus was the father of Anicius Probus Faustus, Consul in 490, and of a daughter called Stephania, whose son, Rufius Magnus Faustus Avienus, received the name of his grandfather and was Consul in 502.
Two years later, in 452, he was sent by Valentinian and the Roman Senate as envoy to the King of the Huns, Attila, together with Trigetius and the Bishop of Rome, Leo I;[2] they succeeded in negotiating a truce with Attila, despite the fact that the historian Prosper of Aquitaine downplayed Avienus' role, giving all the credit for the success to Leo, ignoring both Trigetius and Avienus.
[3] However, Avienus distinguished himself from Basilius, as he used his influence to promote the career of his own associates, having no time to care for those who came outside of his circle.