Background
Datianus was the son of a servant in the public baths, and he climbed the social ladder up to becoming a senator in Constantinople and a patricius of the Empire.
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Censorius Datianus
Edit Profilepolitician Ancient Roman senator
Career
He had some properties in Antioch, where he built public baths, some gardens and some villas. He also exchanged letters with Libanius, from whom he received, between 355 and 365, 20 letters still conserved. As comes, in 345 he wrote a letter to bishop Athanasius inviting him to return to his see in Alexandria, after being deposed by the Arians.
In 354 he managed to allow Libanius to return to Antioch.
In 358 he held the consulate, and he was yet patricius as of 18 September of that same year. After the death of Constantius and the raise to the power of Julian (361-363), he lost influence.
In 363 he was old. He was in Antioch when Julian died.
Datianus followed the new Emperor Jovian to Ancyra, where he passed the winter. The people of Antioch sent Datianus a letter asking for his pardon, through the intercession of Libanius.
When Datianus gave his pardon, the people was so happy that Libanius, who brought the news, increased his prestige. The following year he was still alive.
Membership
In 351 was a member of the tribunal that put under trial bishop Photinus at the synod of Sirmium.
