The life of Valentinian II
|
Birth name:
Other names: Born: Died: Cause of death: Reign: Co-emperor: Dynasty: Predecessor: Successor: |
Flavius Valentinianus
Imperator Caesar Flavius Valentinianus Augustus 371 15 May, 392 - Vienne, Gaul (aged 21) Unknown; suicide or murdered 17 November, 375 – 15 May, 392 (16 years, 5 months and 28 days) Valens, Gratian, Theodosius I, Magnus Maximus, Victor Valentinian Valentinian I Theodosius I |
Early Life & Accession
Flavius Valentinianus was born in 371 to the Emperor Valentinian I and his second wife Justina, also making him the half brother of Gratian. When Valentinian I died in 375 he left the empire to his brother Valens, and his son Gratian - both of whom had already been serving as emperors for a number of years.
Despite the fact that there were already two emperors ruling over the west and east, the generals present when Valentinian I died proclaimed Valentinian II as his successor and augustus. This may have been a way for the generals to seize some sort of power, and because they were uneasy with Gratian's lack of military experience and did not want him having total control of western military manoeuvres.
Despite the fact that there were already two emperors ruling over the west and east, the generals present when Valentinian I died proclaimed Valentinian II as his successor and augustus. This may have been a way for the generals to seize some sort of power, and because they were uneasy with Gratian's lack of military experience and did not want him having total control of western military manoeuvres.
Early Reign
Gratian reluctantly accepted his brother's new position and Valentinian was given command over the provinces of Italy, Illyricum and North Africa as these were deemed as the least dangerous areas of the Roman Empire. Meanwhile, Gratian maintained control over Gaul, Hispania, Raetia and Britain - the provinces that saw the most military combat.
In 378 their uncle Valens, who was Emperor in the East, died at the Battle of Adrianople which left a power vacuum in the Eastern provinces. Gratian appointed the general Theodosius to replace him. Theodosius successfully routed the Goths who had slain Valens and restored order to the east.
In the West Valentinian was very much under the control of those that surrounded him, still being a young boy he had no experience or skill in statecraft. He was primarily governed by his mother Justina. However the Bishop of Milan, Ambrose, also vied for dominance over Valentinian. Justina and Ambrose would often be at war with each other trying to assert influence over the young Valentinian. On one occasion Ambrose refused an order by Valentinian to allow the use of the Portian basilica in Milan for an Easter celebration. Ambrose was summoned to appear before Valentinian which caused a stand-off between his own followers and Justina's Gothic soldiers.
Following the confrontation Valentinian passed a law (no doubt crafted and put forth by Justina) that outlawed religious discrimination, allowing the free practice of all faiths. Ambrose was quickly found to have breached this law and Justina ordered him to be exiled. Ambrose defied imperial order once again and turned his basilica into a fortress to avoid capture. Valentinian sent soldiers to siege the basilica until Theodosius intervened and ordered both sides to stand down, lest it spark a civil war. Regardless, Valentinian continued with his laws to protect worship of multiple faiths and passed a law strictly prohibiting vandalism of pagan temples, altars and statues. A rift was formed once again however when Valentinian refused to restore the pagan Altar of Victory in the Senate building, likely due to the machinations of Ambrose. His refusal outraged many members of the Senate who saw the young emperor being controlled by his mother and Ambrose.
In 378 their uncle Valens, who was Emperor in the East, died at the Battle of Adrianople which left a power vacuum in the Eastern provinces. Gratian appointed the general Theodosius to replace him. Theodosius successfully routed the Goths who had slain Valens and restored order to the east.
In the West Valentinian was very much under the control of those that surrounded him, still being a young boy he had no experience or skill in statecraft. He was primarily governed by his mother Justina. However the Bishop of Milan, Ambrose, also vied for dominance over Valentinian. Justina and Ambrose would often be at war with each other trying to assert influence over the young Valentinian. On one occasion Ambrose refused an order by Valentinian to allow the use of the Portian basilica in Milan for an Easter celebration. Ambrose was summoned to appear before Valentinian which caused a stand-off between his own followers and Justina's Gothic soldiers.
Following the confrontation Valentinian passed a law (no doubt crafted and put forth by Justina) that outlawed religious discrimination, allowing the free practice of all faiths. Ambrose was quickly found to have breached this law and Justina ordered him to be exiled. Ambrose defied imperial order once again and turned his basilica into a fortress to avoid capture. Valentinian sent soldiers to siege the basilica until Theodosius intervened and ordered both sides to stand down, lest it spark a civil war. Regardless, Valentinian continued with his laws to protect worship of multiple faiths and passed a law strictly prohibiting vandalism of pagan temples, altars and statues. A rift was formed once again however when Valentinian refused to restore the pagan Altar of Victory in the Senate building, likely due to the machinations of Ambrose. His refusal outraged many members of the Senate who saw the young emperor being controlled by his mother and Ambrose.
Rebellion of Magnus Maximus
By 383 the West was in uproar over Gratian's favouritism of certain auxiliary soldiers, apparently ignoring the other loyal parts of the military. In Britain the general Magnus Maximus was declared emperor and quickly took Britain, Gaul and Hispania as his own. After a number of brief skirmishes Gratian was killed and Magnus ruled in those provinces unopposed. To avoid further bloodshed, Theodosius recognised him as the rightful emperor of those provinces, but Valentinian still held onto his own territories - for now.
By 386 the ambition of Maximus had outgrown his own boundaries, and now he sought to push them further by annexing Valentinian's provinces into his own. Maximus marched on Italy, sweeping across it with speed and sending Valentinian into flight towards Theodosius, seeking refuge. Eventually Theodosius agreed to aid Valentinian and marched westward, defeating Maximus in 388, restoring the West to Valentinian's rule.
By 386 the ambition of Maximus had outgrown his own boundaries, and now he sought to push them further by annexing Valentinian's provinces into his own. Maximus marched on Italy, sweeping across it with speed and sending Valentinian into flight towards Theodosius, seeking refuge. Eventually Theodosius agreed to aid Valentinian and marched westward, defeating Maximus in 388, restoring the West to Valentinian's rule.
Later Reign
Following the demise of Maximus, Theodosius was awarded a triumph and later organised Valentinian's court at Vienne in Gaul. Theodosius had placed his court at Vienne to try and keep Valentinian away from the prying eyes of Ambrose - who was free to exert his influence now that Justina was dead. Valentinian's rule would still be overseen by Theodosius, as he was still only 17 years old, and not experienced enough to rule alone. Theodosius appointed his general Arbogast to be Valentinian's guardian and returned to the East in 391 when he was satisfied with the situation in the west.
Arbogast was the true power in the West and did all the military campaigning on Valentinian's behalf while also managing the state's affairs. Valentinian knew he was powerless to stop the general, and so he wrote to Theodosius to complain that Arbogast was dominating all aspects of his rule. In addition, he invited Ambrose to Vienne to baptize him, and perhaps to help rid himself of Arbogast.
Arbogast was the true power in the West and did all the military campaigning on Valentinian's behalf while also managing the state's affairs. Valentinian knew he was powerless to stop the general, and so he wrote to Theodosius to complain that Arbogast was dominating all aspects of his rule. In addition, he invited Ambrose to Vienne to baptize him, and perhaps to help rid himself of Arbogast.
Death & Legacy
On 15 May 392, as Ambrose was en route to Vienne, Valentinian was discovered dead in his room. His death was officially declared as suicide by hanging, but it is likely he was killed by the general Arbogast, either personally or through one of his soldiers. This was likely due to Valentinian's recent attempts to regain some sort of power and control. Valentinian had been an emperor in name only, with much of his reign being dominated by others. His death marks the end of the Valentinian dynasty.
Valentinian was buried next to his brother Gratian by Ambrose himself in Milan. In his eulogy Ambrose lauded Valentinian as a paragon of Christian virtue - which indicates that he at least believed he was murdered, as early Christianity believed suicide to be sinful.
Theodosius was shocked at Valentinian's death, but would appoint his son Arcadius as the Western Emperor to replace him. However Arbogast appointed one of his own officers, Eugenius, as the Western Emperor. A civil war ensued with Theodosius emerging as the victor in 394, founding his own dynasty.
Valentinian was buried next to his brother Gratian by Ambrose himself in Milan. In his eulogy Ambrose lauded Valentinian as a paragon of Christian virtue - which indicates that he at least believed he was murdered, as early Christianity believed suicide to be sinful.
Theodosius was shocked at Valentinian's death, but would appoint his son Arcadius as the Western Emperor to replace him. However Arbogast appointed one of his own officers, Eugenius, as the Western Emperor. A civil war ensued with Theodosius emerging as the victor in 394, founding his own dynasty.
trivia
- Valentinian had three sisters, Galla, Grata and Justa.
- The only contemporary source for the death of Valentinian II is from Ambrose's eulogy.
- Valentinian II was an emperor in name only, having never actually ruled autonomously. He was heavily influenced by his mother Justa, the Bishop of Milan Ambrose, the other ruling emperors such as Gratian and Theodosius, and even the generals around him such as Arbogast.