Sidonius (1. i. Epist. 9, p. 23, 24) very fairly states his motive, his labour, and his reward.
"Hic ipse
Panegyricus, si non judicium, certe eventum, boni operis,
accepit."
He was made bishop of Clermont A.D. 471. Tillemont, Mem. Eccles. tom. xvi. p. 750.