Gratian AD 367-383 Silver Siliqua, Rome

Gratian AD 367-383 Silver Siliqua, Roma enthroned left, Rome

RCV19965, 19x20mm, 1.94g

Gratian was the son of Valentinian I and was born in AD359. He was made consul when only seven and in the following year became co emperor of the Western Empire. When he married Constantia in AD374 he established a link with the House of Constantine. Upon the sudden death of Valentinian I in AD 375 Gratian became sole emperor of the Western Empire. Meanwhile his half-brother Valentinian II was also declared emperor by the army of the Danube. Realizing that a Civil War would be disastrous Gratian accepted this usurper.
In AD378 Valens, the emperor of the Eastern Empire, was killed in the catastrophic defeat at Hadrianopolis Gratian faced a crisis as Valentinian II was too young to govern the east. Gratian instead appointed Theodosius as co emperor and ruler of the East. This was a surprising appointment as Theodosius’ father had earlier been executed for high treason.
The next few years saw increasing tension between the two empires until in AD 383 Magnus Maximus the military commander in Britain rebelled and was declared emperor by his troops. Magnus Maximus crossed to Gaul where Gratian confronted him near Lutetia. (Paris). Deserted by his army Gratian fled but was captured near Lugdunum and executed.