Valentinian II

INC-2965-a Солид. Валентиниан II. Ок. 388—392 гг. (аверс)

Solidus of Valentinian II, AD 390

Disc of Theodosius (Valentinian II)

Valentinian II (371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman Emperor from 375 to 392. He was the youngest son of Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina. His reign was marked by the increasing inability of the Roman Empire to maintain its power against internal divisions and the external threats posed by barbarian invasions.

Early Life and Accession

Valentinian II was born in 371. After the death of his father in 375, the Western Roman Empire was divided between Valentinian's half-brother, Gratian, who took control of the western provinces, and Valentinian II, who was proclaimed emperor in the east at the age of four. His reign was dominated by the influence of his mother Justina and the generals who supported his family, notably Merobaudes and Arbogast.

Reign

Valentinian's reign was characterized by the ongoing struggles to maintain the integrity of the Western Roman Empire. The empire faced significant challenges, including the revolt of Magnus Maximus, a Roman general who usurped the throne in 383. Maximus's invasion of Italy forced Valentinian to flee to Thessalonica, under the protection of the Eastern Roman Emperor, Theodosius I. In 387, Theodosius intervened on behalf of Valentinian, leading to the defeat of Maximus and the restoration of Valentinian as emperor in the West.

Despite this victory, Valentinian's position remained weak. His reign was further complicated by religious conflicts, particularly between the Arian Christians, supported by his mother Justina, and the Nicene Christians, led by Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. The dispute culminated in the Ambrosian refusal to allow the use of a basilica for Arian services, highlighting the deep religious divisions within the empire.

Death and Legacy

Valentinian II's reign came to an abrupt end in 392 when he was found dead in his residence in Vienne, Gaul. The circumstances of his death remain unclear, with some sources suggesting suicide and others alleging murder by his magister militum, Arbogast, who subsequently proclaimed Eugenius as emperor. Valentinian's death marked the end of the Valentinianic dynasty and further weakened the Western Roman Empire, which continued its decline until its eventual fall in the 5th century.

Valentinian II's legacy is complex. While his reign was marked by significant challenges and his control over the empire was limited, his efforts to maintain the unity of the Western Roman Empire and the support he received from Theodosius I highlight the interconnectedness of the eastern and western halves of the empire during this period.

See Also

• Valentinian I
• Gratian
• Theodosius I
• Magnus Maximus
• Arianism
• Nicene Christianity
• Ambrose