The title
vir illustris ("illustrious man") is used as a formal indication of standing in
late antiquity to describe the highest ranks within the senates of
Rome and
Constantinople. All senators had the title
vir clarissimus ("very famous man"); but from the mid fourth century onwards,
vir illustris and
vir spectabilis ("admirable man", a lower rank than
illustris) were used to distinguish holders of high office.