Joannes

Joannes (423-425 CE), also known as Johannes, was a Usurper who became the Roman Emperor in the West.
He promoted General Aetius, who went on under Valentinian III, to become one of the Late Roman Empire’s most famous Generals.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

NAME:
- Joannes or Johannes.
JOHANNES’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
- 20 November 423 CE to May 425 CE.
JOHANNES’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Date of birth unknown. Died in c. July 425 CE.
PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Place of birth unknown. Died in Aquileia
JOHANNES’ PREDECESSOR:
- Honorius
- Constantius III
JOHANNES’ SUCCESSOR:
- Valentinian III
HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
- A Usurper: He was a senior Civil Servant, proclaimed Emperor by the senior Patrician in Rome, before the East could provide an alternative.
DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
- Executed by Beheading.
WHERE BURIED:
- Unknown.
JOHANNES WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
- He promoted General Aetius, who went on under Valentinian III, to become one of the Late Roman Empire’s most famous Generals.

Johannes was proclaimed Emperor in Rome by a senior patrician, but soon moved to Ravenna, which he could defend from an attack by the Eastern Emperor.
A Revolt by the garrison in Gaul, led to the death of his senior Commander there.
Another Revolt in Africa led to the suspension of the Grain Fleet, until the Revolt was suppressed.
Johannes was apparently tolerant towards all sects of Christianity.

On the 24 October 424 CE, the Eastern Emperor, Theodosius II, recognised the five year old Valentinian III as successor to Honorius.
In 425 CE, Johannes sent the Head of the Palace, General Aetius to the Huns to raise an army.
However, the army of the Eastern Empire successfully occupied Aquileia, probably with internal assistance.

The defending army of Ravenna surrendered and gave up Joannes, who was beheaded.
Three days after his execution, Aetius arrived at the head of a Hunnic army, to find Valentinian III and his mother in power.
After a few brief skirmishes, Aetius negotiated his own appointment as Magister Militum of Gaul, with Valentinian III as Emperor and his mother Gallia Placida as Regent, and sent the Hunnic army home.