Definition: Gratian (Flavius Gratianus Augustus) ruled from 367-383. The son of Emperor Valentinian I, Gratian was born in Sirmium [see Pannonia in this
Map of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire] on April 18, 359. He died in Lyons on August 25, 383.
From 364- November 17, 375 Gratian shared the rule with his father and from 364-378, with his uncle, Valens.
When Valentinian I died at Brigetio [also in Pannonia], Gratian became senior Augustus in the West. He appointed his half-brother, Valentinian, co-ruler (Valentinian II).
Gratian fought against the raiding Alamanni and only came too late to help his uncle against the Goths at the Battle of Adrianople [see section He (Thrace) in Map of the Roman Empire in 395]. After Valens was killed, Gratian appointed Theodosius Augustus in the East, on January 19, 379, so that he could return to the West.
In 381 Gratian moved the capital from Trier to Milan.
In 383 Gratian went to Gaul to intercept Magnus Maximus who had been appointed emperor in Britain. Gratian's troops deserted him, so he fled to what is now Lyons and was then Lugdunum. Andragathius who was Maximus's magister equitum, killed him August 25, 383.
Christianity
In 379, Gratian recalled those bishops whom the Arian emperor Valens had expelled from the East. Because of his Christian beliefs, Gratian eliminated "Pontifex Maximus" from his imperial title and on the prompting of (saint) Ambrose, removed the altar of Victory from the Roman forum.
Sources:
Encyclopedia Britannica
DIR Gratian
From 364- November 17, 375 Gratian shared the rule with his father and from 364-378, with his uncle, Valens.
When Valentinian I died at Brigetio [also in Pannonia], Gratian became senior Augustus in the West. He appointed his half-brother, Valentinian, co-ruler (Valentinian II).
Gratian fought against the raiding Alamanni and only came too late to help his uncle against the Goths at the Battle of Adrianople [see section He (Thrace) in Map of the Roman Empire in 395]. After Valens was killed, Gratian appointed Theodosius Augustus in the East, on January 19, 379, so that he could return to the West.
In 381 Gratian moved the capital from Trier to Milan.
In 383 Gratian went to Gaul to intercept Magnus Maximus who had been appointed emperor in Britain. Gratian's troops deserted him, so he fled to what is now Lyons and was then Lugdunum. Andragathius who was Maximus's magister equitum, killed him August 25, 383.
Christianity
In 379, Gratian recalled those bishops whom the Arian emperor Valens had expelled from the East. Because of his Christian beliefs, Gratian eliminated "Pontifex Maximus" from his imperial title and on the prompting of (saint) Ambrose, removed the altar of Victory from the Roman forum.
Sources:
Encyclopedia Britannica
DIR Gratian
