The life of Jovian
|
Birth name:
Other names: Born: Died: Cause of death: Reign: Dynasty: Predecessor: Successor: |
Flavius Jovianus
Imperator Caesar Flavius Jovianus Augustus 331 - Singidunum 17 February, 364 - Dadastana, Anatolia (aged 33) Unknown 26 June, 363 – 17 February, 364 (7 months and 22 days) None Julian Valentinian I |
Early Life & Rise to Power
Jovian was born in the year 331 at Singidunum, which is modern-day Belgrade, Serbia. Other than this, his early life is totally unknown, he only comes into any real prominence in the year he becomes emperor. His father, Varronianus, served as the commander of the imperial bodyguard for Constantius II. Jovian followed in his father's footsteps and became commander of the imperial bodyguard for the emperor Julian. In 363, he joined Julian on his campaign in Mesopotamia against the Sassanids.
The Roman forces were defeated at the Battle of Samarra and forced to retreat. Julian was badly injured during the skirmish and died shortly afterwards, leaving the Roman Empire without an emperor. On the 27 June 363 the army sought to elect a new emperor. They initially chose Saturninius Secundus Salutius, the praetorian prefect, but he declined the offer. Next they suggested Jovian, who accepted.
The Roman forces were defeated at the Battle of Samarra and forced to retreat. Julian was badly injured during the skirmish and died shortly afterwards, leaving the Roman Empire without an emperor. On the 27 June 363 the army sought to elect a new emperor. They initially chose Saturninius Secundus Salutius, the praetorian prefect, but he declined the offer. Next they suggested Jovian, who accepted.
Reign
Jovian continued to retreat from the Sassanids, but his army was tired and running out of supplies. They managed to reach the city of Dura, where they hoped to cross the Tigris into Roman territory on the other side. The plan to cross was thwarted by the Sassanids and Jovian was forced to negotiate with their king, Shapur II. The Romans had next to no leverage in the negotiations and were asked to give up five provinces east of the Tigris river.
Jovian was furious but had little choice in the matter, he accepted the terms and was allowed to retreat with his army - unhindered by the Sassanids. Jovian reached Antioch, but the city was up in arms against him, furious that their city now lay on Rome's eastern frontier with no protection against the hordes of enemies in the future. Jovian's popularity was rapidly declining, and so he departed Antioch in favour of Constantinople.
Jovian was furious but had little choice in the matter, he accepted the terms and was allowed to retreat with his army - unhindered by the Sassanids. Jovian reached Antioch, but the city was up in arms against him, furious that their city now lay on Rome's eastern frontier with no protection against the hordes of enemies in the future. Jovian's popularity was rapidly declining, and so he departed Antioch in favour of Constantinople.
Champion of Christianity
One of Jovian's most important acts during his short reign was to restore Christianity as the state religion, after it had been replaced with the traditional Roman pagan religion by Julian. He revoked Julian's edict while in Antioch and replaced it with his own, stating that those who worshipped and followed the old gods were to be put to death. Citizens of the empire could not even practice their pagan ceremonies in private any longer. Following this edict, Christianity would remain as the Roman Empire's main religion until the Eastern Roman Empire fell over 1,000 years later in 1453.
Death & Legacy
Before reaching Constantinople Jovian was found dead in his tent. The exact reason for his death is unknown, officially it was due to over-eating at a banquet of mushrooms and wine, although this seems incredibly unlikely to cause his death. It is more likely he was murdered as the ancient historian Ammianus Marcellinus, who wrote about the topic only shortly afterwards, says that he died under mysterious circumstances and little was done to investigate the matter.
Jovian was buried in Constantinople, in the Church of the Holy Apostles. He was succeeded by Valentinian I.
Jovian was buried in Constantinople, in the Church of the Holy Apostles. He was succeeded by Valentinian I.
Trivia
- There may have been some confusion as to how Jovian assumed the position of emperor. The historian Ammianus Marcellinus believed he was mistaken for another Jovianus, or that the soldiers might have confused the names Jovianus and Julianus - perhaps thinking that Julian had recovered from his wounds.
- Jovian stopped briefly on his journey to Constantinople in order to conduct the funeral of Julian at Tarsus.
- Another supposed cause of death was that he died from carbon monoxide poisoning in his dead, due to a warming fire he had.