6), for the
regulation
of the to death, upon the charge of using magic.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - c
A friend of the younger Pliny, who addressed difference or good sense, he said it was not for him,
a letter to him (Ep. iv. 24), from which we gather a layman, to deal with difficulties of that descrip-
that he was a young man at the time.
tion. Though a Catholic, he did not persecute
VALENS, MA'NLIUS, legatus of a legion in either Arians or heathens : he let every man follow
Britain in the reign of Claudius, A. D. 50. He is his own religion, for which Ammianus Marcellinus
afterwards mentioned as the legatus of the Italica (xxx. 9) has commended him ; and certainly his
legion in the civil wars in A. D. 69, and is pro- moderation in this respect must be considered a
bably the same as the C. Manlius Valens, who was remarkable feature in his character. Though there
consul with C. Antistius Vetus in the last year of were some enactments made by him against Ma-
Domitian's reign, and who died in the same year nichaeans, Donatists and the other heretics, the
in the ninetieth year of his age. (Tac. Ann. xii. general religious freedom which he allowed is un-
40, Hist. i. 64; Dion Cass. lxvii. 14. )
disputed (Cod. Theod. 9. tit. 16. s. 9), and the
VALENS, PINA'RIUS, was named praefect emperor set an example which even now is not
of the praetorians upon the elevation of Maximus completely followed in modern Europe. This is
and Balbinus. He was paternal uncle of the former. the most unequivocal evidence of the good sense
(Capitolin. Max. et Balb. 4, 5). (W. R. ] and the courage of Valentinian Ecclesiastical
VALENS, VE’CTIUS. See above VALENS, writers, like Baronius, as a matter of course blame
physicians, No. 1.
that toleration which they suppose to be con-
VALENS, VI’NNIUS, a centurion in the demned by the religion which they profess.
praetorium of Augustus, memorable for his extraor- Ammianus and other writers have spoken par-
dinary-strength. (Plin. H. N. vii. 19. s. 20. ) ticularly of the personal merits and defects of
VALENTINIANUS I. , Roman emperor a. D. Valentinian. He was robust and handsome ; he
364—375, was the son of Gratianus, and was had a natural eloquence, though he had no literary
born A. D. 321, at Cibalis in Pannonia (Gra- acquirements ; he was neat in his apparel, but
TIANUS. ) He bore also the name of Flavius, not expensive ; and his chastity is specially re-
which was common to all the emperors after Con- corded. He possessed good abilities, prudence,
stantine. His first wife was Valeria Severa, by and vigor of character. He had a capacity for
whom he became the father of the emperor Gra- military matters, and was a vigilant, impartial,
tianus. Valentinian entered the army when young, and laborious administrator. Ammianus sums up
and showed military talents ; but the emperor by saying that he had so many good qualities
Constantinus for some reason or other deprived him that, if every thing had been equal in him, he
of his rank A. D. 357. Under Julian he held the would have been as great a man as Trajan or
office of tribune of the guard, or of the Scutarii, as Marcus Aurelius. Among his faults was that of
Orosius terms the body (vii. 32), and in this ca- having a very good opinion of himself, and he
pacity he was with Julian at Antioch, A. D. 362, punished sometimes with excessive severity. Yet
and accompanied him to a heathen temple. Julian, he is accused of behaving with too much lenity
4 4 4
;
appease him by sack
ters to his luscs 013
* took up his qauren *
” he nearly lost biti
idiers. He pokrena
tent of one of his bar
e danger was over. Falees
to death a sospecha
ousand dracheae fan in
ir. 16; comp. Tac H
d arrived in Ia betur
en defeated bribe
| neighbourhood of chrom
'ns and Canada
ted
Pubt tbat the Bater bad
Liens had purpose
o him, yet iber
Dite their forces, as
Ocimod enemy, (kus
d him from its
s prerrizled bruke
ring the rate a csa
f Bedrisem, ír:
decisive vztyy, ad
· so verejnt 127
remained scribes
barile, till they we
ber semua!
em to ibe coz
he Isi ef Septes. cat
nent in their 123
## p. 1208 (#1224) ##########################################
1208 VALENTINIANUS.
VALENTINIANUS.
to the officers when they misconducted themselves; | the people worse than the border tribes. On the
and of enriching himself by arbitrary means, though accession of Valentinian, the people of Leptis sent
the same authorities say that he endeavoured to al their presents to the new emperor, and at the same
leviate the sufferings of the people. The truth is time represented to him the wretched condition
that the character of a man, who possesses supreme of their country. In the mean time, a barbarous
power, may be made to appear almost anything, tribe, called Austuriani, were threatening Leptis
according to a writer's temper and judgment and plundering the country, and Valentinian sent
Many instances of the severity, and even of the Palladius to inquire into the state of affairs in the
cruelty of Valentinian are recorded ; and Gibbon, province of Africa. But Palladius, who was cor-
following chiefly the authority of Ammianus, has rupted by Romanus, reported that the people of
made him a monster of cri Yet Valentinian veptis and the rest of the province had nothing to
had feelings of compassion, when he was not in an complain of. The result was, that those who had
angry mood, and he promulgated a constitution complained of Romanus were punished (Amm.
against the exposure of children (Cod. Just. 8. Marc. xxviii. 6).
tit. 51. (52. ) s. 2. a. D. 374); and he encouraged It appears from various constitutions, that Va-
learning, though he was illiterate, by the founda- lentinian visited several places in North Italy
tion of schools. (Cod. Theod. 14. tit. 9. )
during the year a. D. 365. ' A constitution of this
Valentinian, after being declared emperor on the year appears to be the earliest in which the Defen-
26th of February, moved to Nicomedia on the 1st sores are spoken of, and it is addressed to “Seneca
of March, where he conferred on his brother Valens Defensor. " (Cod. Just. i. tit. 55). In the month
the dignity of Constable, that is, he made him of October Valentinian left Italy for Gaul, and he
chief of the stable ; and on the 28th of March, was at Paris about the end of the month. His
being then at Constantinople, he declared him presence was required by an irruption of the
Augustus in the Hebdomon, or field of Mars, in Allemanni, who had ravaged the country west of
the neighbourhood of that city. The two brothers the Rhine. Valentinian sent Dagalaephus against
confirmed to the town of Nicaea, when Valentinian them, and he went himself as far as Rheims; but
was declared emperor, the title of Metropolis, and the Allemanni had retired, and Valentinian re-
raised it to equal rank with Nicomedia. In the turned to Paris, where he appears to have re-
early part of this year the two emperors left Con- mained the following year A. D. 366. In the be-
stantinople, and passed through Hadrianople, Phi- ginning of A. D. 366 the Allemanni again entered
lippopolis, and Sardica, to Naesus in Dacia, in the Gaul during a severe winter, defeated the Roman
neighbourhood of which they remained some days troops and killed Charietto, who was comes of the
to arrange the affairs of the empire. Valentinian Two Germanies. Dagalaephus, who was sent
kept Jovinus general of the troops in Gaul (ma- against the Allemanni by the emperor, was tardy
gister armorum), to which rank he had been pro- in his movements, and he was replaced by Jovinus
moted by Julian, and Dagalaephus (militiae rector), the master of the horse (magister equitum), who
who owed his promotion to Jovian. Victor and defeated the Allemanni in several engagements.
Arinthaeus were attached to the service of Valens. One battle was fought at Scarponna between Metz
Zosimus, indeed, states (iv. 2) that the two em- and Toul, and another in the neighbourhood of
perors were hostile to all the friends of Julian, Châlons-sur-Marne with a body of Allemanni
and that all those who had been promoted by which had penetrated as far as this place. Jovinus
Julian were deprived of their offices, except Arin- announced his victory to the emperor at Paris, who
thaeus and Victor ; but Zosimus may be mistaken at the same time received the head of the usurper
here, as in other cases. The provinces of the Procopius, which had been sent to him by his bro-
empire were also distributed between the two ther Valens. Valentinian appears to have passed
brothers. Valens had the East, comprising Asia, the close of the year and the winter at Rheims.
Egypt, and Thrace ; Valentinian had the West, At this time he built forts on the Rhine to stop
comprising Illyricum, Italy, the Gauls, Britain, the incursions of the Germans, and he recruited his
Spain, and Africa. After this partition Valens armies for the defence of this frontier. His mea-
set out for Constantinople to govern the East, of sures secured tranquillity on that side of the empire
which he knew not even the language, and Va during the rest of his reign.
lentinian for Italy.
The residence of Valentinian at Rheims to the
Valentinian went to Milan, where he arrived month of June A. D. 367, is proved by the consti-
some time in November, and he stayed there till tutions which he promulgated. One of the 18th
the beginning of A. D. 365.
of August is dated from Amiens, and addressed to
Volusianus, prefect of Rome, was succeeded in Praetextatus, praefect of Rome. During this time
this year by Symmachus, the father of the orator, he was suffering so much from illness that there
to whom some constitutions of Valentinian are was talk about his successor ; but Valentinian re-
addressed, by which the emperor endeavoured to covered, and, on the 24th of August, his son Gra-
secure the provisioning of Rome, and provided for tianus, then little more than eight years of age,
the repair of the buildings. A constitution of this was declared Augustus at Amiens in presence of
year enacted that the governors of provinces must the army. About this time Valentinian divorced
not sit in judgment in matters civil or criminal, in his wife Severa or Valeria Severa, and married
private, but that judicial proceedings must be held Justina, a Sicilian woman, by whom he became
with open doors.
the father of Valentinian II. and of three daugh-
The nations on the Roman frontiers were dis- ters, one of whom, Galla, was afterwards the wife
turbing the provinces, and the vigilance of Va- of Theodosius I. Justina was an Arian, but she
lentinian was required to protect his empire. concealed her heresy as long as her husband lived.
Romanus, who had been made comes of Africa At the close of A. D. 367 the Allemanni, under
under Jovian (A. D. 363), instead of protecting the Randon, surprised and pillaged Moguntiacuin
country, which he was sent to govern, plundered | (Mainz) during a festival which the Christians
## p. 1209 (#1225) ##########################################
LENTINIANUS
VALENTINIANUS. 1209
VALENTINIANUS.
than tbe border tribes. Os the
tran, the people o Leptores
De new emperor, and a lesz
to him the wretched conc. 20
In the mean time, a barieru
sturiani, were threatening La
he country, and l'a sotza
se into the state of an n lae
1. Bu: Paadiawho was or
I reported that the people
st of the pror. sce had Di
e result was that those who sad
Romanus were punished (fas
various constitutions, that to
several places in Nara iz!
4. D. 365. A conscitation of the
e the earliest in which the Dess
ct, and it is addressed to send
Just. i tit. 35). La tebe mica
tinan left Italy for Gail ad
out the end of the parts. His
quired by an irruption of the
had raraged the court resa
entran sent Dazz'asta 2013
at himself as far as Rbess; in
ud retired, and l'aleta
where he appears to bare
sing rear 1. 2. 366. In the best
356 the Allemanni 147. 3 estas
Tere winter, defeated the an
Charietto, who was cosas e te
Dazalaephus, who was e
manni by the experi, 72 tart
, and he was repaced bř J. z
e horse (magister eçaram,
emanni in several e
szht at Scarponda besveen Me
norber in the neighbourbonet e
le with a body of Alca
ated as far as this place. Lores
were celebrating. The Romans retaliated by gain the clergy, against whom, however, we have the
ing over an Allemann to assassinate his king evidence of the imperial constitution, and that of
Vithicabus, a man who in a feeble body possessed Hieronymus. Damasus, the bishop of Rome, was
a great spirit, and had caused the Romans no small bimself a man of dubious character, and the vir-
trouble. "While the emperor was on his road from tuous Praetextatus, a pagan, told him that he
Amiens to Trèves on the Mosel, he heard of the would turn Christian himself if he could secure the
ravages which the Picts and other barbarians were see of Rome," a reproach," observes Gibbon, “ in
committing in Britain. The conduct of this war the forn of a jest. ".
was finally entrusted to Theodosius, the father of Ammianus (xxviii. 1) gives an account of the
the first emperor Theodosius. (Theodosius. ) cruelties exercised at Rome by Maximinus, who
To the year a. D. 360 probably belongs a con- held the office of the Vicaria Praefecture, against
stitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then persons who were accused of magical arts. Maxi-
praefect of Ronie (Cod. Theod. 2. tit. 10. 8. 2; minus put many persons to the torture, and eren
Cod. Just. 2. tit. 6. s.
6), for the regulation of the to death, upon the charge of using magic. Maxi-
conduct of advocates, who were forbidden to use minus was punished by Gratian, the successor of
abusive language, or to say anything which might Valentinian, for all his misdeeds. Magic, or
injure the reputation of the party to whom they whatever is meant by the term, was a great
were opposed, unless it was necessary to maintain abomination in the eyes of Valentinian: he per-
the case of their client. The constitution contains mitted all the arts of the Roman aruspices to be
other regulations. By another constitution he or- practised, and every other ceremonial of the ancient
dered that there should be a physician appointed religion, provided no magic was practised. He
for each of the fourteen regions of Rome, to look even maintained the Pontifices in the provinces in
after the health of the poor. In the autumn of all their privileges, and allowed them the same
this year Valentinian left Trèves for an expedition rank as Comites. This was going even beyond
against the Allemanni, whom he drove with great toleration, and further than a wise policy can
loss from a mountain where they had fortified justify. He relieved from all civil duties such
themselves. This place called Solicinium has been ecclesiastics as devoted all their time to the service
conjectured to be Sulz, near the source of the of the church, and had entered the clerical body
Necker. The emperor returned with his son to before the commencement of his reign ; but as to
Trèves, which he entered in a kind of triumph. others, they were liable to discharge all civil
In á. D. 369 Valentinian was occupied with duties like any layman. These and other con-
building forts on the left bank of the Rhine, from stitutions of the first half of A. D. 371 were pro-
its mouth to the country of the Rhaeti ; and he mulgated at Trèves, the favourite residence of
also constructed some forts on the other side of the Valentinian, which he left for a short time to con-
river. Mannheim, at the junction of the Necker duct operations against the Germans in the neigh-
and the Rhine, is supposed to be one of these bourhood of Mainz. He was again at Trères in
positions. His residence was chiefly at Trèves December, and he appears to have passed the year
during this year, but he made excursions to various A. D. 372 there or in the neighbourhood. The
places on the Rhine. A story recorded in the emperor did nothing this year that is recorded, ex-
Alexandrine Chronicle, and also in Zonaras, of the cept to promulgate a constitution against the Mani-
emperor's severity seems hardly credible. An chaeans, who were always treated with great
eunuch named Rhodanus, an attendant on Valen- severity.
tinian, bad been convicted before Sallustius of de- The year A. D. 373 was the fourth joint consul-
frauding a widow, and he was ordered to make ship of the two Augusti, Valentinian and Valens,
restitution. Instead of doing this he appealed from and Valentinian spent a great part of this year in
the judgment, and the widow was advised to pre- Italy. Maximinus was made Praefectus (of Gaul,
sent her petition to Valentinian when he was as Tillemont shows), and this brought about the
seated in the Circus. The eunuch was near his ruin of Remigius, once Magister Officiorum, who
master, when the widow presented her petition, had been a partner of Comes Ramanus in bis mal-
and the emperor immediately ordered the eunuch administration. Remigius bad resigued his office
to be seized, to be carried round the Circus while and retired to the pleasant neighbourhood of his
proclamation of his crime was made, and then to native Mainz to cultivate the land. Maximinus,
be burnt alive in the presence of the spectators. who was somewhere near, which is confirmatory of
In A. D. 370 Valentinian was still at Trèves, or Tillemont's conjecture that he was in this year
near it, as appears from the constitutions promul prefect of Gaul, put to the torture one Caesarius,
gated in this year. The Saxons now broke loose who had served under Remigius, in order that he
on the Roman territory, where they plundered all might discover what Remigius bad received from
before them; but they were alarmed by the ap- Romanus. Remigius, being informed of these pro-
pearance of Severus, commander of the infantry ceedings against him, hanged himself (Amm. Marc.
(peditum magister), who made peace with them xxx, 2). Palladius, who had deceived his master
on condition of their retiring. But the Romans in the affair of Comes Romanus, was also arrested
treacherously laid an ambuscade, and destroyed by order of Valentinian ; and he too pronounced
the Saxons on their march back, at a place called his own sentence, and executed it by hanging him-
Deuso, according to Hieronymus, which may be self. Romanus, the chief criminal, was put in pri-
Deutz, opposite to Cologne. Ammianus (xxviii. son by Theodosius, when he was sent against
5) considered this treachery justifiable under the Firmus (THEODOSIUS), and proof was found of his
circumstances. A constitution of this year ad- knavery in the affair of Leptis. The historian,
dressed to Damasus, bishop of Rome (Cod. Theod. however, has not the gratification of finding any
16. tit. 2. g. 20), was intended to check the evidence of the punishment of Romanus, either
greediness of the clergy. It is commented on by under the reign of Valentinian or that of his suc.
Gibbon with his usual relish for scandal against Icessor.
Ty to the emperor at Pzz, st
received the band of the same
had been sent to him or bis
lentinian appears to have seen
rear and the winter at :3
uilt forts on the Rhine E
he Germans, and he remis
ence of this froatier. His Ds
zulltr on that side of the cast
his re. . .
of Valentinian at Rheins to
D. 367, is prored by the cus
promulgated. One at the la
from Amiens, uid side 1
fect of Rome. During its 3
so much from iless iha: 294
3 successor ; but lajengnar
be 24th of Angst, bis el
more than eigte seas at
astus at Amiens ii pressen
this time l'alentiras direct
i l'aleria Serez, and
woman, by whez be base
itinian II. and of the
Ga',, was after sards the **
Justina was an 4. -12 logo
as long as her bare
D. 367 the Leagi
, se
and pillaged More
fesural which the
## p. 1210 (#1226) ##########################################
1210 VALENTINIANUS.
VALENTINIANUS.
COTTON
Valentinian passed the winter of A. D. 373 at enactments. His many great qualities entitle him
Milan, but he was again at Trèves in May and to a place among the most distinguished of the
June of the following year A. D. 374. He was illustrious Romans.
[G. L. ]
upon the Rhine, probably in the neighbourhood of
Bâle, when he received intelligence of the Quadi
invading Illyricum: the cause was this. As the
emperor was anxious to protect the frontiers, he or-
dered some forts to be built north of the Danube, in
the country of the Quadi. The Quadi complained
of this encroachment to Equitius, master-general
of Illyricuni, who consented to suspend the works
till the emperor had signified his pleasure. But
Marcellinus, the son of Maximinus, was made dux
COIN OF VALENTINIANUS L
of Valeria, a province of Illyricum, by his father's
interest, and he continued the fortifications with- VALENTINIANUS II. , Roman emperor
out troubling himself about the Quadi. The king A. D. 375—392, a son of Valentinianus I. , was
of the Quadi, Gabinius, came to remonstrate with with his mother Justina, about one hundred miles
Marcellinus, who received him civilly and asked from the camp of Bregetio, when his father died
him to eat; but as the king was retiring after there, A. D. 375. His brother Gratianus was at
the entertainment, the Roman treacherously caused Trèves. Valentinian and his mother were sum-
bim to be assassinated. The Quadi, joined by the moned to Bregetio, when the army proclaimed
Sarmatians, crossed the river into the Roman pro- Valentinian, Augustus, six days after his father's
vince, which was destitute of troops, and destroyed death. He was then only four or five years of age ;
the grain which was ready for the barvest. Probus, and Gratian was only about seventeen. Gratian
Praefectus Praetorio, though much alarmed, pre- assented to the choice of the army, and a division
pared to defend Sirmium; but the barbarians did of the West was made between the two brothers
not disturb him, and preferred running after Valentinian had Italy, Illyricum and Africa. Gra-
Equitius to whom they attributed the death of tian had the Gauls, Spain and Britain. This
their king. The barbarians destroyed two legions, division, however, if it actually took place, was
and the province would have been lost, but for the merely nominal, and Gratian as long as he lived
vigour and courage of a young man, who was after- was actually emperor of the West. One reason for
wards the emperor Theodosius.
supposing that Gratian really retained all the im-
Valentinian heard of this incursion of the Quadi perial power is the fact, that after the death of
at his royal residence of Trèves, but he deferred Valens, and in A. D. 379, Gratian ceded a part of
his campaign against the Quadi to the following Illyricum to Theodosius 1. , whom he declared em-
year, and in the mean time he employed himself peror of the East. This seems to show at least
in securing the friendship of Macrianus, king of the that the division the empire of the West between
Allemanni, with whom he had an interview near Gratian and Valentinian was not completed at the
Mainz Macrianus accepted the terms which the time when Theodosius received a part of Illyricum.
Roman emperor came to offer, and became the In A. D. 383, Gratian was murdered at Lyon.
ally, or at least not the enemy of Valentinian. [GRATIANUS ; THEODOSIUS I. ) Milan was the
The emperor spent this, his last winter at Trèves, chief residence of Valentinian II. from the time
which he did not quit till the month of April, A. D. of his father's death, and he was in this city
375, to march towards Illyricum. He took with during A. D. 384. He made Symmachus prefect of
him his wife Justina and his second son Valen- Rome, probably about the close of A. D. 383.
tinian. Gratian was left at Trèves.
Valentinian was still at Milan in the first half of
The emperor fixed his head-quarters at Car- A. D. 386, and afterwards at Aquileia. His mother
nuntum, which was probably on the Danube, and Justina, who acted in his name, and was an Arian,
below the site of Vienna. His first care was to employed herself in persecuting the Catholics during
inquire into the conduct of Probus, the praefect, this and the following year. In A. D. 386, Valen-
who was charged with oppressing the people ; but tinian addressed a letter to Sallustius, the prefect
Valentinian did not live long enough to come to of Rome, in which he ordered him to rebuild the
any decision about Probus. After preparing for church of St. Paul, near Rome, on the road to
the campaign the emperor crossed the Danube, Ostia. The church was rebuilt, but apparently
but his operations were not very decisive, and at somewhat later than the time of this order.
the approach of winter he re-crossed the river, Maximus, who had usurped the throne of Gratian,
and fixed himself at Bregetio, probably near Pres. left Valentinian a precarious authority out of fear
burg. While giving an audience to the deputies for Theodosius I. : but in August, A. D. 387, he
of the Quadi, and speaking with great heat, he suddenly crossed the Alps, and advanced towards
fell down in a fit and expired suddenly on the Milan, the usual residence of Valentinian. The
17th of November, after a reign of twelve years, emperor and his mother Aed to the Hadriatic,
all but a hundred days. His body was embalmed where they took shipping and arrived at Thessalonica.
and carried to Constantinople to be interred. In A. D. 388, Theodosius defeated Maximus, and
Gibbon's sketch of the reign of Valentinian and restored Valentinian to his authority as emperor of
Valens (c. 25) has great merit: it is rapid, exact the West. (THEODOSIUS I. ] In a. d. 389, Valen-
and instructive Tillemont (Histoire des Empe- tinian went into Gaul to conduct operations against
reurs, v. ) is painfully minute as usual ; but his the Franks on the Rhine. Arbogast was at that
authorities are always valuable, and his judgment, time commander of the Roman forces in Gaul.
when not biassed by his peculiar way of thinking, Nothing further is recorded of this campaign, er-
is generally sound, The reign of Valentinian is cept that Valentinian had a conference with Mar.
worth a careful study in his extant legislative | comir and Sunnon, the chiefs of the Franks, who
## p. 1211 (#1227) ##########################################
LENTINIANUS
VALENTINIANUS. 1211
VALENTINIANUS.
many great qualities entitle bia
the most distinguished of the
[GL]
P VALENTINIANTS L
ANUS II. , Romance
a son of Valentinian 1, 72
Justina, about one bedred De
Bregetio, when his father died
His brotber Gratau ra:
Gian and his mother were som
tio, when the arter printed
nzstus, six days after his babes
ben only four or fire years of 23;
only about serenteen. Grazia
soice of the army, and a dissa
made between tbe tro brite
Taly, Illyricum and Asia ls
anis, Spain and Briza Ibi
, if it actualy took place *
and Gratian as long as be led
eror of the West Ode trasa ir
zrian realls retained all the in
the fact that after the desto
D. 379, Gratian ceded a part de
dosius I, whom be declareis
SODAS
COIN OF VALENTINIANUS IL
gave him hostages. Valentinian spent the winter funeral oration to assure us of the salvation of a
at Trèves, as appears from a constitution dated the prince, who had not received the sacrament of
8th of November.
salvation, but had asked for it, and was disposed
Tillemont remarks, "that Theodosius, who spent to receive it. ” (Tillemont) On this point, see
about three years in Italy, after the defeat of Gibbon, c. 27. note 108.
Maximus, bad by his wise advice effaced from the Justina, the mother of Valentinian, was dead ;
mind of the youthful emperor all the bad impres she had not long survived the restoration of her son
sions which his mother Justina had fixed in him to his throne, and her influence expired before she
against the faith and St. Ambrose, and forming died. Justa and Grata, the sisters of the emperor,
himself after the example of Theodosius, he had a remained unmarried ; and Galla, the wife of 'Theo-
fervent devotion towards God, and loved St. Am- dosius, who deeply lamented her brother's death,
brose with such affection, that he cherished him as died in A. d. 394, in childbed, when Theodosius
much as he had formerly persecuted him. " In was leaving Constantinople to avenge the death of
A. D. 391, Q. Aurelius Symmachus, who was consul Valentinian.
with Tatianus, was the head of a deputation from The reign of Valentinian is of little importance ;
the Roman senate to Valentinian, the object of and what concerns the Roman legislation of this
which was to ask of the emperor the restoration period belongs to the history of Theodosius I.
of the privileges which Gratian had taken from the (Gibbon, Decline and Fall, &c. ; Tillemont,
temples of the idols. The emperor however posi- Ilistoire des Empereurs, V. , where the authorities
tively refused to grant the petition.
are collected. )
[G. L. ]
At this time, the barbarians were in motion, on
the side of the Illyrian Alps, and it was appre-
hended that they might disturb Italy. Valentinian
set out for Italy, with the intention of going to
Milan. He was at Vienna (Vienne), when he
sent for Ambrosius to baptize him before he entered
Italy, for he was yet only a catechumen. There
were many bishops in France, but Valentinian
wished to receive this Christian rite at the hands
of Ambrose. “After having written to Ambrose,
he passed the two following days in such inquietude
and such impatience to see the saint, that having VALENTINIANUS III. , Roman empeior
despatched a courier in the evening, he asked on A. D. 425—455. Honorius, emperor of the West,
the morning of the third day, which was the last died in August, A. D. 423, and Joannes, the Pri-
of his life, if the courier had not returned, and if micerius, or first of the secretaries, assumed the
the saint was not coming. ” (Tillemont. )
imperial dignity at Rome. Joannes sent to the
Arbogast, a Frank by origin, a man probably of emperor Theodosius 11. to ask for his consent to his
violent temper, though on this point there is a dif- usurpation ; but the emperor's answer was not
ference in the testimony, but a rude soldier and a favourable, and Joannes sent the general Aetius to
man of courage and address, was aiming at govern- the Huns, to seek their help. Joannes, wishing to
ing Valentinian, who was still a youth. Gratian secure the support of this able commander, gave him
employed Arbogast and sent him in A. D. 38) under the rank of Curopalates, as the mayor of the palace
Bauton to assist Theodosius who was pressed by was afterwards called. Theodosius (A.
a letter to him (Ep. iv. 24), from which we gather a layman, to deal with difficulties of that descrip-
that he was a young man at the time.
tion. Though a Catholic, he did not persecute
VALENS, MA'NLIUS, legatus of a legion in either Arians or heathens : he let every man follow
Britain in the reign of Claudius, A. D. 50. He is his own religion, for which Ammianus Marcellinus
afterwards mentioned as the legatus of the Italica (xxx. 9) has commended him ; and certainly his
legion in the civil wars in A. D. 69, and is pro- moderation in this respect must be considered a
bably the same as the C. Manlius Valens, who was remarkable feature in his character. Though there
consul with C. Antistius Vetus in the last year of were some enactments made by him against Ma-
Domitian's reign, and who died in the same year nichaeans, Donatists and the other heretics, the
in the ninetieth year of his age. (Tac. Ann. xii. general religious freedom which he allowed is un-
40, Hist. i. 64; Dion Cass. lxvii. 14. )
disputed (Cod. Theod. 9. tit. 16. s. 9), and the
VALENS, PINA'RIUS, was named praefect emperor set an example which even now is not
of the praetorians upon the elevation of Maximus completely followed in modern Europe. This is
and Balbinus. He was paternal uncle of the former. the most unequivocal evidence of the good sense
(Capitolin. Max. et Balb. 4, 5). (W. R. ] and the courage of Valentinian Ecclesiastical
VALENS, VE’CTIUS. See above VALENS, writers, like Baronius, as a matter of course blame
physicians, No. 1.
that toleration which they suppose to be con-
VALENS, VI’NNIUS, a centurion in the demned by the religion which they profess.
praetorium of Augustus, memorable for his extraor- Ammianus and other writers have spoken par-
dinary-strength. (Plin. H. N. vii. 19. s. 20. ) ticularly of the personal merits and defects of
VALENTINIANUS I. , Roman emperor a. D. Valentinian. He was robust and handsome ; he
364—375, was the son of Gratianus, and was had a natural eloquence, though he had no literary
born A. D. 321, at Cibalis in Pannonia (Gra- acquirements ; he was neat in his apparel, but
TIANUS. ) He bore also the name of Flavius, not expensive ; and his chastity is specially re-
which was common to all the emperors after Con- corded. He possessed good abilities, prudence,
stantine. His first wife was Valeria Severa, by and vigor of character. He had a capacity for
whom he became the father of the emperor Gra- military matters, and was a vigilant, impartial,
tianus. Valentinian entered the army when young, and laborious administrator. Ammianus sums up
and showed military talents ; but the emperor by saying that he had so many good qualities
Constantinus for some reason or other deprived him that, if every thing had been equal in him, he
of his rank A. D. 357. Under Julian he held the would have been as great a man as Trajan or
office of tribune of the guard, or of the Scutarii, as Marcus Aurelius. Among his faults was that of
Orosius terms the body (vii. 32), and in this ca- having a very good opinion of himself, and he
pacity he was with Julian at Antioch, A. D. 362, punished sometimes with excessive severity. Yet
and accompanied him to a heathen temple. Julian, he is accused of behaving with too much lenity
4 4 4
;
appease him by sack
ters to his luscs 013
* took up his qauren *
” he nearly lost biti
idiers. He pokrena
tent of one of his bar
e danger was over. Falees
to death a sospecha
ousand dracheae fan in
ir. 16; comp. Tac H
d arrived in Ia betur
en defeated bribe
| neighbourhood of chrom
'ns and Canada
ted
Pubt tbat the Bater bad
Liens had purpose
o him, yet iber
Dite their forces, as
Ocimod enemy, (kus
d him from its
s prerrizled bruke
ring the rate a csa
f Bedrisem, ír:
decisive vztyy, ad
· so verejnt 127
remained scribes
barile, till they we
ber semua!
em to ibe coz
he Isi ef Septes. cat
nent in their 123
## p. 1208 (#1224) ##########################################
1208 VALENTINIANUS.
VALENTINIANUS.
to the officers when they misconducted themselves; | the people worse than the border tribes. On the
and of enriching himself by arbitrary means, though accession of Valentinian, the people of Leptis sent
the same authorities say that he endeavoured to al their presents to the new emperor, and at the same
leviate the sufferings of the people. The truth is time represented to him the wretched condition
that the character of a man, who possesses supreme of their country. In the mean time, a barbarous
power, may be made to appear almost anything, tribe, called Austuriani, were threatening Leptis
according to a writer's temper and judgment and plundering the country, and Valentinian sent
Many instances of the severity, and even of the Palladius to inquire into the state of affairs in the
cruelty of Valentinian are recorded ; and Gibbon, province of Africa. But Palladius, who was cor-
following chiefly the authority of Ammianus, has rupted by Romanus, reported that the people of
made him a monster of cri Yet Valentinian veptis and the rest of the province had nothing to
had feelings of compassion, when he was not in an complain of. The result was, that those who had
angry mood, and he promulgated a constitution complained of Romanus were punished (Amm.
against the exposure of children (Cod. Just. 8. Marc. xxviii. 6).
tit. 51. (52. ) s. 2. a. D. 374); and he encouraged It appears from various constitutions, that Va-
learning, though he was illiterate, by the founda- lentinian visited several places in North Italy
tion of schools. (Cod. Theod. 14. tit. 9. )
during the year a. D. 365. ' A constitution of this
Valentinian, after being declared emperor on the year appears to be the earliest in which the Defen-
26th of February, moved to Nicomedia on the 1st sores are spoken of, and it is addressed to “Seneca
of March, where he conferred on his brother Valens Defensor. " (Cod. Just. i. tit. 55). In the month
the dignity of Constable, that is, he made him of October Valentinian left Italy for Gaul, and he
chief of the stable ; and on the 28th of March, was at Paris about the end of the month. His
being then at Constantinople, he declared him presence was required by an irruption of the
Augustus in the Hebdomon, or field of Mars, in Allemanni, who had ravaged the country west of
the neighbourhood of that city. The two brothers the Rhine. Valentinian sent Dagalaephus against
confirmed to the town of Nicaea, when Valentinian them, and he went himself as far as Rheims; but
was declared emperor, the title of Metropolis, and the Allemanni had retired, and Valentinian re-
raised it to equal rank with Nicomedia. In the turned to Paris, where he appears to have re-
early part of this year the two emperors left Con- mained the following year A. D. 366. In the be-
stantinople, and passed through Hadrianople, Phi- ginning of A. D. 366 the Allemanni again entered
lippopolis, and Sardica, to Naesus in Dacia, in the Gaul during a severe winter, defeated the Roman
neighbourhood of which they remained some days troops and killed Charietto, who was comes of the
to arrange the affairs of the empire. Valentinian Two Germanies. Dagalaephus, who was sent
kept Jovinus general of the troops in Gaul (ma- against the Allemanni by the emperor, was tardy
gister armorum), to which rank he had been pro- in his movements, and he was replaced by Jovinus
moted by Julian, and Dagalaephus (militiae rector), the master of the horse (magister equitum), who
who owed his promotion to Jovian. Victor and defeated the Allemanni in several engagements.
Arinthaeus were attached to the service of Valens. One battle was fought at Scarponna between Metz
Zosimus, indeed, states (iv. 2) that the two em- and Toul, and another in the neighbourhood of
perors were hostile to all the friends of Julian, Châlons-sur-Marne with a body of Allemanni
and that all those who had been promoted by which had penetrated as far as this place. Jovinus
Julian were deprived of their offices, except Arin- announced his victory to the emperor at Paris, who
thaeus and Victor ; but Zosimus may be mistaken at the same time received the head of the usurper
here, as in other cases. The provinces of the Procopius, which had been sent to him by his bro-
empire were also distributed between the two ther Valens. Valentinian appears to have passed
brothers. Valens had the East, comprising Asia, the close of the year and the winter at Rheims.
Egypt, and Thrace ; Valentinian had the West, At this time he built forts on the Rhine to stop
comprising Illyricum, Italy, the Gauls, Britain, the incursions of the Germans, and he recruited his
Spain, and Africa. After this partition Valens armies for the defence of this frontier. His mea-
set out for Constantinople to govern the East, of sures secured tranquillity on that side of the empire
which he knew not even the language, and Va during the rest of his reign.
lentinian for Italy.
The residence of Valentinian at Rheims to the
Valentinian went to Milan, where he arrived month of June A. D. 367, is proved by the consti-
some time in November, and he stayed there till tutions which he promulgated. One of the 18th
the beginning of A. D. 365.
of August is dated from Amiens, and addressed to
Volusianus, prefect of Rome, was succeeded in Praetextatus, praefect of Rome. During this time
this year by Symmachus, the father of the orator, he was suffering so much from illness that there
to whom some constitutions of Valentinian are was talk about his successor ; but Valentinian re-
addressed, by which the emperor endeavoured to covered, and, on the 24th of August, his son Gra-
secure the provisioning of Rome, and provided for tianus, then little more than eight years of age,
the repair of the buildings. A constitution of this was declared Augustus at Amiens in presence of
year enacted that the governors of provinces must the army. About this time Valentinian divorced
not sit in judgment in matters civil or criminal, in his wife Severa or Valeria Severa, and married
private, but that judicial proceedings must be held Justina, a Sicilian woman, by whom he became
with open doors.
the father of Valentinian II. and of three daugh-
The nations on the Roman frontiers were dis- ters, one of whom, Galla, was afterwards the wife
turbing the provinces, and the vigilance of Va- of Theodosius I. Justina was an Arian, but she
lentinian was required to protect his empire. concealed her heresy as long as her husband lived.
Romanus, who had been made comes of Africa At the close of A. D. 367 the Allemanni, under
under Jovian (A. D. 363), instead of protecting the Randon, surprised and pillaged Moguntiacuin
country, which he was sent to govern, plundered | (Mainz) during a festival which the Christians
## p. 1209 (#1225) ##########################################
LENTINIANUS
VALENTINIANUS. 1209
VALENTINIANUS.
than tbe border tribes. Os the
tran, the people o Leptores
De new emperor, and a lesz
to him the wretched conc. 20
In the mean time, a barieru
sturiani, were threatening La
he country, and l'a sotza
se into the state of an n lae
1. Bu: Paadiawho was or
I reported that the people
st of the pror. sce had Di
e result was that those who sad
Romanus were punished (fas
various constitutions, that to
several places in Nara iz!
4. D. 365. A conscitation of the
e the earliest in which the Dess
ct, and it is addressed to send
Just. i tit. 35). La tebe mica
tinan left Italy for Gail ad
out the end of the parts. His
quired by an irruption of the
had raraged the court resa
entran sent Dazz'asta 2013
at himself as far as Rbess; in
ud retired, and l'aleta
where he appears to bare
sing rear 1. 2. 366. In the best
356 the Allemanni 147. 3 estas
Tere winter, defeated the an
Charietto, who was cosas e te
Dazalaephus, who was e
manni by the experi, 72 tart
, and he was repaced bř J. z
e horse (magister eçaram,
emanni in several e
szht at Scarponda besveen Me
norber in the neighbourbonet e
le with a body of Alca
ated as far as this place. Lores
were celebrating. The Romans retaliated by gain the clergy, against whom, however, we have the
ing over an Allemann to assassinate his king evidence of the imperial constitution, and that of
Vithicabus, a man who in a feeble body possessed Hieronymus. Damasus, the bishop of Rome, was
a great spirit, and had caused the Romans no small bimself a man of dubious character, and the vir-
trouble. "While the emperor was on his road from tuous Praetextatus, a pagan, told him that he
Amiens to Trèves on the Mosel, he heard of the would turn Christian himself if he could secure the
ravages which the Picts and other barbarians were see of Rome," a reproach," observes Gibbon, “ in
committing in Britain. The conduct of this war the forn of a jest. ".
was finally entrusted to Theodosius, the father of Ammianus (xxviii. 1) gives an account of the
the first emperor Theodosius. (Theodosius. ) cruelties exercised at Rome by Maximinus, who
To the year a. D. 360 probably belongs a con- held the office of the Vicaria Praefecture, against
stitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then persons who were accused of magical arts. Maxi-
praefect of Ronie (Cod. Theod. 2. tit. 10. 8. 2; minus put many persons to the torture, and eren
Cod. Just. 2. tit. 6. s.
6), for the regulation of the to death, upon the charge of using magic. Maxi-
conduct of advocates, who were forbidden to use minus was punished by Gratian, the successor of
abusive language, or to say anything which might Valentinian, for all his misdeeds. Magic, or
injure the reputation of the party to whom they whatever is meant by the term, was a great
were opposed, unless it was necessary to maintain abomination in the eyes of Valentinian: he per-
the case of their client. The constitution contains mitted all the arts of the Roman aruspices to be
other regulations. By another constitution he or- practised, and every other ceremonial of the ancient
dered that there should be a physician appointed religion, provided no magic was practised. He
for each of the fourteen regions of Rome, to look even maintained the Pontifices in the provinces in
after the health of the poor. In the autumn of all their privileges, and allowed them the same
this year Valentinian left Trèves for an expedition rank as Comites. This was going even beyond
against the Allemanni, whom he drove with great toleration, and further than a wise policy can
loss from a mountain where they had fortified justify. He relieved from all civil duties such
themselves. This place called Solicinium has been ecclesiastics as devoted all their time to the service
conjectured to be Sulz, near the source of the of the church, and had entered the clerical body
Necker. The emperor returned with his son to before the commencement of his reign ; but as to
Trèves, which he entered in a kind of triumph. others, they were liable to discharge all civil
In á. D. 369 Valentinian was occupied with duties like any layman. These and other con-
building forts on the left bank of the Rhine, from stitutions of the first half of A. D. 371 were pro-
its mouth to the country of the Rhaeti ; and he mulgated at Trèves, the favourite residence of
also constructed some forts on the other side of the Valentinian, which he left for a short time to con-
river. Mannheim, at the junction of the Necker duct operations against the Germans in the neigh-
and the Rhine, is supposed to be one of these bourhood of Mainz. He was again at Trères in
positions. His residence was chiefly at Trèves December, and he appears to have passed the year
during this year, but he made excursions to various A. D. 372 there or in the neighbourhood. The
places on the Rhine. A story recorded in the emperor did nothing this year that is recorded, ex-
Alexandrine Chronicle, and also in Zonaras, of the cept to promulgate a constitution against the Mani-
emperor's severity seems hardly credible. An chaeans, who were always treated with great
eunuch named Rhodanus, an attendant on Valen- severity.
tinian, bad been convicted before Sallustius of de- The year A. D. 373 was the fourth joint consul-
frauding a widow, and he was ordered to make ship of the two Augusti, Valentinian and Valens,
restitution. Instead of doing this he appealed from and Valentinian spent a great part of this year in
the judgment, and the widow was advised to pre- Italy. Maximinus was made Praefectus (of Gaul,
sent her petition to Valentinian when he was as Tillemont shows), and this brought about the
seated in the Circus. The eunuch was near his ruin of Remigius, once Magister Officiorum, who
master, when the widow presented her petition, had been a partner of Comes Ramanus in bis mal-
and the emperor immediately ordered the eunuch administration. Remigius bad resigued his office
to be seized, to be carried round the Circus while and retired to the pleasant neighbourhood of his
proclamation of his crime was made, and then to native Mainz to cultivate the land. Maximinus,
be burnt alive in the presence of the spectators. who was somewhere near, which is confirmatory of
In A. D. 370 Valentinian was still at Trèves, or Tillemont's conjecture that he was in this year
near it, as appears from the constitutions promul prefect of Gaul, put to the torture one Caesarius,
gated in this year. The Saxons now broke loose who had served under Remigius, in order that he
on the Roman territory, where they plundered all might discover what Remigius bad received from
before them; but they were alarmed by the ap- Romanus. Remigius, being informed of these pro-
pearance of Severus, commander of the infantry ceedings against him, hanged himself (Amm. Marc.
(peditum magister), who made peace with them xxx, 2). Palladius, who had deceived his master
on condition of their retiring. But the Romans in the affair of Comes Romanus, was also arrested
treacherously laid an ambuscade, and destroyed by order of Valentinian ; and he too pronounced
the Saxons on their march back, at a place called his own sentence, and executed it by hanging him-
Deuso, according to Hieronymus, which may be self. Romanus, the chief criminal, was put in pri-
Deutz, opposite to Cologne. Ammianus (xxviii. son by Theodosius, when he was sent against
5) considered this treachery justifiable under the Firmus (THEODOSIUS), and proof was found of his
circumstances. A constitution of this year ad- knavery in the affair of Leptis. The historian,
dressed to Damasus, bishop of Rome (Cod. Theod. however, has not the gratification of finding any
16. tit. 2. g. 20), was intended to check the evidence of the punishment of Romanus, either
greediness of the clergy. It is commented on by under the reign of Valentinian or that of his suc.
Gibbon with his usual relish for scandal against Icessor.
Ty to the emperor at Pzz, st
received the band of the same
had been sent to him or bis
lentinian appears to have seen
rear and the winter at :3
uilt forts on the Rhine E
he Germans, and he remis
ence of this froatier. His Ds
zulltr on that side of the cast
his re. . .
of Valentinian at Rheins to
D. 367, is prored by the cus
promulgated. One at the la
from Amiens, uid side 1
fect of Rome. During its 3
so much from iless iha: 294
3 successor ; but lajengnar
be 24th of Angst, bis el
more than eigte seas at
astus at Amiens ii pressen
this time l'alentiras direct
i l'aleria Serez, and
woman, by whez be base
itinian II. and of the
Ga',, was after sards the **
Justina was an 4. -12 logo
as long as her bare
D. 367 the Leagi
, se
and pillaged More
fesural which the
## p. 1210 (#1226) ##########################################
1210 VALENTINIANUS.
VALENTINIANUS.
COTTON
Valentinian passed the winter of A. D. 373 at enactments. His many great qualities entitle him
Milan, but he was again at Trèves in May and to a place among the most distinguished of the
June of the following year A. D. 374. He was illustrious Romans.
[G. L. ]
upon the Rhine, probably in the neighbourhood of
Bâle, when he received intelligence of the Quadi
invading Illyricum: the cause was this. As the
emperor was anxious to protect the frontiers, he or-
dered some forts to be built north of the Danube, in
the country of the Quadi. The Quadi complained
of this encroachment to Equitius, master-general
of Illyricuni, who consented to suspend the works
till the emperor had signified his pleasure. But
Marcellinus, the son of Maximinus, was made dux
COIN OF VALENTINIANUS L
of Valeria, a province of Illyricum, by his father's
interest, and he continued the fortifications with- VALENTINIANUS II. , Roman emperor
out troubling himself about the Quadi. The king A. D. 375—392, a son of Valentinianus I. , was
of the Quadi, Gabinius, came to remonstrate with with his mother Justina, about one hundred miles
Marcellinus, who received him civilly and asked from the camp of Bregetio, when his father died
him to eat; but as the king was retiring after there, A. D. 375. His brother Gratianus was at
the entertainment, the Roman treacherously caused Trèves. Valentinian and his mother were sum-
bim to be assassinated. The Quadi, joined by the moned to Bregetio, when the army proclaimed
Sarmatians, crossed the river into the Roman pro- Valentinian, Augustus, six days after his father's
vince, which was destitute of troops, and destroyed death. He was then only four or five years of age ;
the grain which was ready for the barvest. Probus, and Gratian was only about seventeen. Gratian
Praefectus Praetorio, though much alarmed, pre- assented to the choice of the army, and a division
pared to defend Sirmium; but the barbarians did of the West was made between the two brothers
not disturb him, and preferred running after Valentinian had Italy, Illyricum and Africa. Gra-
Equitius to whom they attributed the death of tian had the Gauls, Spain and Britain. This
their king. The barbarians destroyed two legions, division, however, if it actually took place, was
and the province would have been lost, but for the merely nominal, and Gratian as long as he lived
vigour and courage of a young man, who was after- was actually emperor of the West. One reason for
wards the emperor Theodosius.
supposing that Gratian really retained all the im-
Valentinian heard of this incursion of the Quadi perial power is the fact, that after the death of
at his royal residence of Trèves, but he deferred Valens, and in A. D. 379, Gratian ceded a part of
his campaign against the Quadi to the following Illyricum to Theodosius 1. , whom he declared em-
year, and in the mean time he employed himself peror of the East. This seems to show at least
in securing the friendship of Macrianus, king of the that the division the empire of the West between
Allemanni, with whom he had an interview near Gratian and Valentinian was not completed at the
Mainz Macrianus accepted the terms which the time when Theodosius received a part of Illyricum.
Roman emperor came to offer, and became the In A. D. 383, Gratian was murdered at Lyon.
ally, or at least not the enemy of Valentinian. [GRATIANUS ; THEODOSIUS I. ) Milan was the
The emperor spent this, his last winter at Trèves, chief residence of Valentinian II. from the time
which he did not quit till the month of April, A. D. of his father's death, and he was in this city
375, to march towards Illyricum. He took with during A. D. 384. He made Symmachus prefect of
him his wife Justina and his second son Valen- Rome, probably about the close of A. D. 383.
tinian. Gratian was left at Trèves.
Valentinian was still at Milan in the first half of
The emperor fixed his head-quarters at Car- A. D. 386, and afterwards at Aquileia. His mother
nuntum, which was probably on the Danube, and Justina, who acted in his name, and was an Arian,
below the site of Vienna. His first care was to employed herself in persecuting the Catholics during
inquire into the conduct of Probus, the praefect, this and the following year. In A. D. 386, Valen-
who was charged with oppressing the people ; but tinian addressed a letter to Sallustius, the prefect
Valentinian did not live long enough to come to of Rome, in which he ordered him to rebuild the
any decision about Probus. After preparing for church of St. Paul, near Rome, on the road to
the campaign the emperor crossed the Danube, Ostia. The church was rebuilt, but apparently
but his operations were not very decisive, and at somewhat later than the time of this order.
the approach of winter he re-crossed the river, Maximus, who had usurped the throne of Gratian,
and fixed himself at Bregetio, probably near Pres. left Valentinian a precarious authority out of fear
burg. While giving an audience to the deputies for Theodosius I. : but in August, A. D. 387, he
of the Quadi, and speaking with great heat, he suddenly crossed the Alps, and advanced towards
fell down in a fit and expired suddenly on the Milan, the usual residence of Valentinian. The
17th of November, after a reign of twelve years, emperor and his mother Aed to the Hadriatic,
all but a hundred days. His body was embalmed where they took shipping and arrived at Thessalonica.
and carried to Constantinople to be interred. In A. D. 388, Theodosius defeated Maximus, and
Gibbon's sketch of the reign of Valentinian and restored Valentinian to his authority as emperor of
Valens (c. 25) has great merit: it is rapid, exact the West. (THEODOSIUS I. ] In a. d. 389, Valen-
and instructive Tillemont (Histoire des Empe- tinian went into Gaul to conduct operations against
reurs, v. ) is painfully minute as usual ; but his the Franks on the Rhine. Arbogast was at that
authorities are always valuable, and his judgment, time commander of the Roman forces in Gaul.
when not biassed by his peculiar way of thinking, Nothing further is recorded of this campaign, er-
is generally sound, The reign of Valentinian is cept that Valentinian had a conference with Mar.
worth a careful study in his extant legislative | comir and Sunnon, the chiefs of the Franks, who
## p. 1211 (#1227) ##########################################
LENTINIANUS
VALENTINIANUS. 1211
VALENTINIANUS.
many great qualities entitle bia
the most distinguished of the
[GL]
P VALENTINIANTS L
ANUS II. , Romance
a son of Valentinian 1, 72
Justina, about one bedred De
Bregetio, when his father died
His brotber Gratau ra:
Gian and his mother were som
tio, when the arter printed
nzstus, six days after his babes
ben only four or fire years of 23;
only about serenteen. Grazia
soice of the army, and a dissa
made between tbe tro brite
Taly, Illyricum and Asia ls
anis, Spain and Briza Ibi
, if it actualy took place *
and Gratian as long as be led
eror of the West Ode trasa ir
zrian realls retained all the in
the fact that after the desto
D. 379, Gratian ceded a part de
dosius I, whom be declareis
SODAS
COIN OF VALENTINIANUS IL
gave him hostages. Valentinian spent the winter funeral oration to assure us of the salvation of a
at Trèves, as appears from a constitution dated the prince, who had not received the sacrament of
8th of November.
salvation, but had asked for it, and was disposed
Tillemont remarks, "that Theodosius, who spent to receive it. ” (Tillemont) On this point, see
about three years in Italy, after the defeat of Gibbon, c. 27. note 108.
Maximus, bad by his wise advice effaced from the Justina, the mother of Valentinian, was dead ;
mind of the youthful emperor all the bad impres she had not long survived the restoration of her son
sions which his mother Justina had fixed in him to his throne, and her influence expired before she
against the faith and St. Ambrose, and forming died. Justa and Grata, the sisters of the emperor,
himself after the example of Theodosius, he had a remained unmarried ; and Galla, the wife of 'Theo-
fervent devotion towards God, and loved St. Am- dosius, who deeply lamented her brother's death,
brose with such affection, that he cherished him as died in A. d. 394, in childbed, when Theodosius
much as he had formerly persecuted him. " In was leaving Constantinople to avenge the death of
A. D. 391, Q. Aurelius Symmachus, who was consul Valentinian.
with Tatianus, was the head of a deputation from The reign of Valentinian is of little importance ;
the Roman senate to Valentinian, the object of and what concerns the Roman legislation of this
which was to ask of the emperor the restoration period belongs to the history of Theodosius I.
of the privileges which Gratian had taken from the (Gibbon, Decline and Fall, &c. ; Tillemont,
temples of the idols. The emperor however posi- Ilistoire des Empereurs, V. , where the authorities
tively refused to grant the petition.
are collected. )
[G. L. ]
At this time, the barbarians were in motion, on
the side of the Illyrian Alps, and it was appre-
hended that they might disturb Italy. Valentinian
set out for Italy, with the intention of going to
Milan. He was at Vienna (Vienne), when he
sent for Ambrosius to baptize him before he entered
Italy, for he was yet only a catechumen. There
were many bishops in France, but Valentinian
wished to receive this Christian rite at the hands
of Ambrose. “After having written to Ambrose,
he passed the two following days in such inquietude
and such impatience to see the saint, that having VALENTINIANUS III. , Roman empeior
despatched a courier in the evening, he asked on A. D. 425—455. Honorius, emperor of the West,
the morning of the third day, which was the last died in August, A. D. 423, and Joannes, the Pri-
of his life, if the courier had not returned, and if micerius, or first of the secretaries, assumed the
the saint was not coming. ” (Tillemont. )
imperial dignity at Rome. Joannes sent to the
Arbogast, a Frank by origin, a man probably of emperor Theodosius 11. to ask for his consent to his
violent temper, though on this point there is a dif- usurpation ; but the emperor's answer was not
ference in the testimony, but a rude soldier and a favourable, and Joannes sent the general Aetius to
man of courage and address, was aiming at govern- the Huns, to seek their help. Joannes, wishing to
ing Valentinian, who was still a youth. Gratian secure the support of this able commander, gave him
employed Arbogast and sent him in A. D. 38) under the rank of Curopalates, as the mayor of the palace
Bauton to assist Theodosius who was pressed by was afterwards called. Theodosius (A.
