Valentinian II

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

  • NAME:
  • VALENTINIAN II’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
    • 22 November 375 CE to 15 May 392 CE.
    • Co-Emperor with Valens (375-378 CE) in the East.
    • Co-Emperor with Gratian (375-383 CE) in the West.
    • Co-Emperor with Theodosius I (379-392 CE) in the East.
  • VALENTINIAN II’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
    • Born in 371 CE . Died on 15 May 392 CE.
  • PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
    • Born: unknown. Died in Vienne, Gaul.
  • VALENTINIAN II’ PREDECESSOR:
  • VALENTINIAN II’ SUCCESSOR:
  • HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
    • His father was the Roman Emperor Valentinian I, but he was proclaimed Emperor at the age of four by his army commander, Merobaudes.
  • DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
    • Valentinian II was found hanged in Vienne. Zosimus suggests that he was murdered by his General, Arbogast.
  • WHERE BURIED:
  • VALENTINIAN II WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
    • He was too young to rule, so he was dominated by his Mother, Justina, and powerful Generals and Advisers.
    • Valentinian II represented the last hope of Paganism and Arianism in the Roman Empire.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

  • EARLY YEARS
    • When his father Valentinian I died, the Commander, Merobaudes, proclaimed his four year old son Valentinian II Emperor on the 22nd November 375 CE, without consulting the other two sons, Valens or Gratian.
  • CHRISTIANITY AND RULE FROM MILAN (375-387 CE)
    • Valentinian II ruled from Milan. His mother, the Empress Justina, was the de facto Ruler. Justina was an Arian Christian, and Valentinian II was also an Arian. Her main opponent was the Nicene Bishop of Milan, Ambrose.
    • In 384 CE, Valentinian II, instructed by Ambrose, refused a petition by the Prefect of Rome and the Pagan Senators to return the Altar of Victory to the Senate House. They had hoped Valentinian II’s known tolerance of Paganism might offer hope of a revival against the domination of Christianity.
    • In 385 CE, Ambrose denied an Imperial request for a Basilica to be worshipped by Arian soldiers.
    • In 386 CE, Ambrose again denied a request for the Arian Bishop Auxentius to use a Milan church. Ambrose and his congregation locked themselves up in the church to prevent access by Auxentius.
    • Theodosius I was also against Paganism and Arianism, and did not assist Valentinian II or Justina against Ambrose.
  • REBELLION OF MAGNUS MAXIMUS (383 CE)
    • In 383 CE, Maximus, the Commander of Britannia rebelled against Gratian, declared himself Emperor, invaded Gaul and executed Gratian. Maximus then ruled Britannia, Gaul and Hispania. Initially, Valentinian II and his mother Justina accepted his rule.
    • However, in 386 CE, Maximus invaded Italy, and Valentinian II and Justina were forced to escape to the East with Theodosius I. An agreement was reached with Theodosius I to attack Maximus and restore Valentinian II to power, since Theodosius I was married to Galla, Valentinian II’ sister.
    • In 388 CE, Theodosius I arrived in Italy, defeated Maximus and restored Valentinian II as Emperor in the West, however he himself remained in Milan until 391 CE.
  • ARBOGAST AND RULE FROM VIENNE IN GAUL (388-392 CE)
    • Theodosius I established himself in Milan, as protector of the 17 year old Emperor.
    • Justina having died, Valentinian was sent to rule the West by himself from Vienne in Gaul. Theodosius I appointed Arbogast as Magister Militum (Commander) of the armies in the West. For four years, Valentinian was not invited to join the campaigns on the Rhine that Arbogast was fighting, and remained in Vienne.
    • Finally in 392 CE, at the age of 21, Valentinian II insisted he lead his armies into Italy, which faced a Barbarian invasion, but Arbogast intervened and prevented him from doing so.
    • Valentinian II wrote to Theodosius I to complain about Arbogast’ insubordination. Arbogast argued that he had been appointed by Theodosius I and not by Valentinian II. Theodosius I thought he controlled Valentinian II through Arbogast, but Arbogast had other ideas.
  • DEATH (392 CE)
    • Valentinian II was found hanged in his residence shortly thereafter. Arbogast claimed that it was suicide. Zosimus casts doubt on Arbogast’ version, and considers assassination more probable.
    • The body of Valentinian II was sent to Milan for burial. Ambrose gave him a fine Eulogy.
    • Three months later, Arbogast proclaimed his own Adviser, Eugenius, as Emperor.
    • In 383 CE, Theodosius I proclaimed his own son, Honorius, as Emperor in the West, and defeated Arbogast at the Battle of Frigidus in 394 CE.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • CLASSICAL SOURCES:

 

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