Roman emperor from 375, the son of Valentinian I, born in Sirmium, Italy. In 367 his father made him Augustus in Gaul, and on Valentinian's death he became emperor of the West, which he shared with his brother Valentinian II. He appointed Theodosius emperor in the East on the death of his uncle Valens (378). He was much influenced by St Ambrose, and dropped the phrase Pontifex Maximus (Supreme Priest) from his title as a mark of respect for Christianity. He was eventually overthrown by the usurper Magnus Maximus (ruled W empire, 38388), and was murdered at Lyon.
| Gratian | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emperor of the Western Roman Empire | ||
| A coin of Gratian. The legend shows Gratian's titles, D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, Dominus Noster Gratianus Pius Felix Augustus, "Our Lord Gratian, Pious and Serene Augustus | ||
| Reign |
4 August 367 - 17 November 375 (Augustus under his father; 17 November 375 -August 25, 383 (nominally co-Augustus in the West with Valentinian II, effectively senior emperor in the west) |
|
| Full name | Flavius Gratianus Augustus | |
| Born | April 18/May 23, 359 | |
| Sirmium | ||
| Died | August 25, 383 | |
| Lyon | ||
| Predecessor | Valentinian I | |
| Successor | Magnus Maximus / Valentinian II | |
| Dynasty | Valentinian | |
| Father | Valentinian I | |
| Mother | Marina Severa | |
Flavius Gratianus Augustus (April 18/May 23, 359-August 25, 383), known as Gratian, was a Western Roman Emperor from 375 to 383.
Life
Gratian was the son of Emperor Valentinian I by Marina Severa, and was born at Sirmium in Pannonia.
In the same year, the government of the Eastern Empire devolved upon Gratian, but feeling himself unable to resist unaided the incursions of the barbarians, he promoted Theodosius I on January 19, 379 to govern that portion of the empire.
For some years Gratian governed the empire with energy and success but gradually sank into indolence, occupying himself chiefly with the pleasures of the chase, and became a tool in the hands of the Frankish general Merobaudes and bishop Ambrose of Milan. (Nevertheless he was still deified after his death.)
Gratian also published an edict that all their subjects should profess the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria (i.e., the Nicene faith).
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