Messius Phoebus Severus’ carreer under Anthemius’ reign is an example of the latter’s religious tolerance and proves that the contemporary Roman Senate was not unfavorable to the entrustment of important political offices to openly pagan people. At the same time it testifies that some of the later Neoplatonists were willing to engage in politics to save the declining Empire. 

Keywords: Messius Phoebus Severus, Anthemius, Last Pagans, Late Neoplatonism, Late Roman Senate.