The Western Empire
Beginning with the reign of Valentinian I in 364 AD, the Western Roman Empire entered a period of mounting pressure and gradual decline. Valentinian I was a capable soldier-emperor who strengthened the empire’s frontiers along the Rhine and Danube rivers and worked to defend the western provinces from Germanic invasions. After his death in 375 AD, the empire became increasingly unstable due to weak leadership, political corruption, economic troubles, and constant military threats.
The migration of barbarian tribes into Roman territory accelerated after the arrival of the Huns in Europe. In 378 AD, the Eastern Roman army suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Adrianople against the Goths, exposing the empire’s military weaknesses. During the early fifth century, tribes such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Suebi crossed Roman borders and settled within imperial lands. In 410 AD, the Visigoth king Alaric I famously sacked the city of Rome, shocking the ancient world.
By the late fifth century, imperial authority in the West had nearly collapsed. In 476 AD, the Germanic leader Odoacer deposed the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, traditionally marking the end of the Western Roman Empire.
Valentinian I
| FLAVIVS VALENTINIANVS was born at Cibulae in Pannonia Secunda in 321 to Gratianus the Elder. He joined the army and rose in command, but was banished to Egypt in 362 by Julian the Apostate because he was openly a Christian. He was recalled by Jovian in 363, and when Jovian died he was hailed as Augustus on February 26, 364. He split the Empire with his brother Valens, with Valens receiving the east. His reign was a series of campaigns against the Germanic barbarians, and he finally died at the fortress at Brigetio of a stroke on November 17, 375 while angrily berating a barbarian peace delegation. |
Gratian
| FLAVIVS GRATIANVS was born in 359 to the future Emperor Valentinian I. His father became Augustus of the west in February, 364, and made him co-Augustus on August 24, 367. His father died on November 17, 375, at which time Gratian became the sole Augustus. Five days later supporters of Valentinian II, his half-brother, succeeded in having him named co-Augustus. Gratian took over the east after Valens was killed in 378, but soon made Theodosius I Augustus. In 383 he was challenged by the British usurper Magnus Maximus, and being abandoned by his troops, he was killed on August 25, 383. |
Valentinian II
| FLAVIVS VALENTINIANVS was born at Trier on July 2, 371 to Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina. He became co-Augustus of the west with his half-brother Gratian on November 22, 375, upon their father's death. After Gratian was killed by Magnus Maximus in 383, Valentinian ruled Italy and Illyricum. When Maximus invaded Italy in 387, Valentinian was rescued by Theodosius I, Augustus of the east and his brother-in-law, who killed Maximus and restored him. His last years were overshadowed by his general Arbogastes, who probably was behind his mysterious death at Vienne on May 15, 392. |
Magnus Maximus
| MAGNVS CLEMENS MAXIMVS was born in Spain and is thought to have been either related to or in the service of the father of Theodosius I. Maximus entered military service and served in Britain, Africa and the Danube area. In 383 the legions in Britain proclaimed him Augustus, and he immediately invaded Gaul and overthrew the Western Emperor Gratian. He was recognized by Theodosius I and Valentinian II and ruled quietly for 4 years until he invaded the territory of Valentinian II. By the intervention of Theodosius, Maximus was beaten, taken captive at Aquileia, and executed on July 28, 388. |
Honorius
| FLAVIVS HONORIVS was born to Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla on September 9, 384. He was given the title of Augustus on January 23, 393. At his father's death on January 17, 395, he was proclaimed Augustus of the West, and his older brother Arcadius was proclaimed Augustus of the East. He was a weak ruler and always dominated by others. The reign of Honorius was a time of unprecedented disaster for the Roman Empire which saw the loss of Britain and the sack of Rome itself by the Visigoths in 410. Honorius died of natural causes at Ravenna on August 15, 423, leaving no children. |
