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Valentinian III is elevated to Roman Emperor, at the age of 6

Valentinian II (Latin: Valentinianus; 371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman emperor in the western part of the Roman Empire between AD 375 and 392.

Valentinian II (Latin: Valentinianus; 371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman emperor in the western part of the Roman Empire between AD 375 and 392. He was at first junior co-ruler of his half-brother, then was sidelined by a usurper, and finally became sole ruler after 388, albeit with limited de facto powers. He was the youngest emperor in the Western Roman Empire (aged 4).

A son of emperor Valentinian I and empress Justina, he was raised to the imperial office at the age of four by military commanders upon his father's death. Until 383, Valentinian II remained a junior partner to his older half-brother Gratian in ruling the Western empire, while the East was governed by his uncle Valens until 378 and Theodosius I from 379.

Historical Significance

Valentinian II (Latin: Valentinianus; 371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman emperor in the western part of the Roman Empire between AD 375 and 392.

Events Before

  1. Aelia Eudocia Athenais of Athens marries Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II

    Aelia Eudocia Augusta (Ancient Greek: Αιλία Ευδοκία Αυγούστα; c. 400 – 460 AD), also called Saint Eudocia, was an Eastern Roman empress by marriage to Emperor Theodosius II (r. 408–450).

  2. Flavius Constantine becomes Co-Emperor as Emperor Constantius III of the Western Roman Empire with Honorius

    In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a...

  3. City of Venice is founded, at noon on a Friday

    City of Venice is founded, at noon on a Friday

  4. Saint Boniface I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Saint Boniface I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

  5. St. Celestine I begins his reign as the Catholic Pope

    St. Celestine I begins his reign as the Catholic Pope

Events After

  1. Council of Ephesus (3rd ecumenical council) opens to settle dispute between Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople and Cyri

    Council of Ephesus (3rd ecumenical council) opens to settle dispute between Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople and Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria

  2. Saint Patrick, aged about 16, is captured by Irish pirates from his home in Great Britain and taken as a slave to Irelan

    Saint Patrick, aged about 16, is captured by Irish pirates from his home in Great Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland (traditional date)

  3. St. Celestine I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    The pope is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff.

  4. St Sixtus III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    The pope is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff.

  5. K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', founding ruler of Maya city of Copán, marks completion of an important calendrical cycle under May

    K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', founding ruler of Maya city of Copán, marks completion of an important calendrical cycle under Maya Long Count calendar (Stela 63). Oldest known inscription from Copán.

More from the 420s

Aelia Eudocia Athenais of Athens marries Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II

Aelia Eudocia Augusta (Ancient Greek: Αιλία Ευδοκία Αυγούστα; c. 400 – 460 AD), also called Saint Eudocia, was an Eastern Roman empress by marriage to Emperor Theodosius II (r. 408–450).

Flavius Constantine becomes Co-Emperor as Emperor Constantius III of the Western Roman Empire with Honorius

In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a...

City of Venice is founded, at noon on a Friday

City of Venice is founded, at noon on a Friday

Saint Boniface I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

Saint Boniface I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 23, 425?
Valentinian II (Latin: Valentinianus; 371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman emperor in the western part of the Roman Empire between AD 375 and 392. He was at first junior co-ruler of his half-brother, then was sidelined by a usurper, and finally became sole ruler after 388, albeit with limited de facto powers. He was the youngest emperor in the Western Roman Empire (aged 4).
Why is Valentinian III is elevated to Roman Emperor, at the age of 6 significant?
Valentinian II (Latin: Valentinianus; 371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman emperor in the western part of the Roman Empire between AD 375 and 392.

Explore More

October 23 in HistoryYear 425