Gaudentius served under the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius I against the usurper Eugenius. Later, when his son Flavius Aetius was born in 396, Gaudentius served as magister equitum, or Master of Cavalry, under the Emperor Honorius. In 399, he served as the Comes Africae.
Gaudentius played a role under Emperor Theodosius I against Eugenius' rebellion. Following his son Flavius Aetius' birth in 396, Gaudentius held a high-ranking position as Master of Cavalry under Honorius. In 399, he took on the responsibility of governing Africa.