Gratian
Gratian was a Roman emperor born in the late Roman Empire, notably the son of Emperor Valentinian I. He became co-emperor at the young age of nine, succeeding his father as the senior Western emperor in 375 CE. His reign was marked by a notable contrast between his scholarly interests and the expectations of military leadership, as he faced challenges such as a Gothic uprising and internal military dissent. Despite his efforts to aid his uncle Valens in the East, Gratian's decisions often reflected a struggle with military authority, culminating in a tragic end when he was betrayed and killed by rebel forces led by Magnus Maximus.
Gratian's legacy includes a reliance on barbarian troops and a significant shift towards Christianity, as he actively suppressed pagan practices and aligned with orthodox Christian factions. His refusal to adopt the title of pontifex maximus, along with the removal of pagan symbols, showcased his commitment to Christianity during a turbulent time. Ultimately, Gratian's reign illustrates the complexities and challenges faced by emperors during the decline of the Roman Empire, reflecting the tension between military needs and religious transformations.
Gratian
Related civilization: Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Emperor
Life
Born in the late Roman Empire to the emperor Valentinian I, Gratian (GRAY-shuhn) became co-emperor at the age of nine, to the dismay of the army, as he showed more interest in books than in war. In 375 c.e., when Valentinian I died and Gratian succeeded him as senior Western emperor, the army named his half brother, Valentinian, a child of four, to be his co-emperor. Gratian agreed, but it was a sign of the army’s continuing distrust.
In 376 c.e., Gratian ordered the legions from the West sent to assist his uncle, the Eastern emperor Valens, against a Gothic uprising. One of his generals, Merobaudes, countermanded his instructions, insisting that some of the troops remain in the West in case another Germanic tribe, the Allemanni, rebelled. Again, Gratian yielded.
By 377 c.e., the Gothic rebellion had become so severe that Gratian felt he must go to his uncle’s aid. When word of his intentions spread, the Allemanni did revolt, but the troops left behind defeated them, and Gratian departed. However, for reasons that are unclear, rather than wait for help, Valens attacked the Goths and was killed at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 c.e.
Gratian, needing an able military assistant in the eastern half of the empire, perhaps under pressure from the military, appointed a popular general, Theodosius the Great, and returned to the West. However, shortly afterward, a British general, Magnus Maximus, rebelled. Gratian’s armies deserted him, and he was killed.
Influence
Gratian continued several trends of the late Roman Empire. He came to rely on barbarians for soldiers and, like Valens, settled barbarians in Moesia and Pannonia. His inability, like that of most late Roman emperors, to control the army encouraged its anarchic tendencies. Gratian also advanced Christianity while suppressing paganism. He was the first emperor to refuse to wear the insignia of pontifex maximus, or chief priest, and over much protest, he ordered the statue of Victory removed from the Roman senate. He abolished the support for the state cults, which cost paganism financial support and influence. Finally, he sided with orthodox Trinitarians against the Arians.
By temperament and inclination, Gratian was ill-suited to be emperor in the time in which he lived. In another, more settled time, his reign might have been more successful.
Bibliography
Burns, Thomas S. Barbarians Within the Gates of Rome: A Study of Roman Military Policy and the Barbarians, c. 375-425 a.d. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994.
Marcellinus, Ammianus. The Later Roman Empire. Translated by Walter Hamilton. New York: Penguin Classics, 1986.
Vogt, John. The Decline of Rome. New York: The New American Library, 1965.