#gratian

Emperor Gratianus

* 359 -  was born in Sirmium;  the eldest son of emperor Valentinian I

* 360s - Accompanied his father during the latter’s campaigns along the Rhine.

* 367 - received the title “Augustus”.

* 374 - married Flavia Maxima Constantia, a posthumous child of emperor Constantine II

* 375 - Valentinian I  moved his headquarters to Pannonia and Gratian was left “in charge” in Trier.

* November 17, 375 - Valentinian I died due to a severe stroke in Pannonia and Gratian became the emperor of the west.

* November 22, 375  - Gratian’s days as the the sole western Augustus didn’t last long though since a few days later his half-brother, Valentinian II was acclaimed  co-emperor by general Mallobaudes (a Frankish king btw) and other high ranking officers of western army. Gratian had to yield and he now ruled only the  provinces of Hispania, Britannia and Gallia while Italy, North Africa and Illyria were left to 4-year old Valentinian II. It is also worth a mention, that Gratian’s uncle Valens, who ruled in Constantinople was now the Senior Augustus. .

* 378 - Roman army led by Mallobaudes and Nannienus defeated an invading Alemani army at the battle Argentari. After the battle the young emperor led the army across the Rhine and forced enemy to surrender. Gratian received the title Alemannius Maximus after this war.

* 379 - Eastern emperor Valens died at the battle of Adrianopoli and hence Gratian became senior Augustus. Competent general Theodosius was chosen Eastern Emperor by Gratian.

* 380 - Together with Theodosius I and Valentinian II issued The Edict of Thessalonica that favoured Nicene creed.

* 381 - Moved his seat to Milan that was closer to problematic Danube border

* Winter 382/83 - ordered  the Altar of Victory to be removed from Curia. State grants to pagan cults were also suspended.

* 383 - His wife Constantia died of unkonown causes; Gratian re-married during the following summer

* 383, August -  Gratian’s death. Roman commander of Britain, Magnentius Maximus rebelled and invaded Gallia. Gratian tried to quell the usurper and the two armies meat near Paris. Most of the Gratian’s soldiers defected to enemy side though and the emperor had to flee the region. He was later captured and killed by Maximus’ cavalry commander at Lyon. Some may claim that pagan gods got their revenge pretty quickly...

https://rlp.museum-digital.de/index.php?t=objekt&oges=5737&cachesLoaded=true

~ Gold body-chain from the Hoxne hoard.

Date: A.D. 367-375

Place of origin: Minted in Trier; Excavated: Hoxne

Period/Culture: Romano-British; Roman

Royal Birthdays for today, April 18th:

Gratian, Emperor of Rome, 359

Henry II, King of Navarre, 1503

Ahmed I, Ottoman Sultan, 1590

Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg, 1771

Frederica of Hanover, Queen of Greece, 1917

Sayako Kuroda, Japanese Royal, 1969

Annette, Princess of Orange-Nassau, 1972

Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Prince of Qatar, 1988

Juan, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 2003  

Royal Birthdays for today, April 18th:

Gratian, Emperor of Rome, 359

Henry II, King of Navarre, 1503

Ahmed I, Ottoman Sultan, 1590

Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg, 1771

Frederica of Hanover, Queen of Greece, 1917

Sayako Kuroda, Japanese Royal, 1969

Annette, Princess of Orange-Nassau, 1972

Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Prince of Qatar, 1988

Juan, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 2003