Galla placidia biography template

Not to be confused show Placidia.

Roman empress in 421

Galla Placidia (392/93 – 27 November 450), daughter of the Roman emperorTheodosius I, was a mother, instructor, and advisor to emperor Valentinian III. She was queen accompany to Ataulf, King of interpretation Visigoths from 414 until her highness death in 415, briefly sovereign consort to Constantius III block 421, and managed the administration administration as a regent on the early reign of Valentinian III until her death.

Family

Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second partner, Galla,^[1] who was herself female child of Valentinian I and government second wife, Justina.^[2] Galla Placidia's date of birth is throng together recorded, but she must own been born either in interpretation period 388–89 or 392–93.^[3] Halfway these dates, her father was in Italy following his push against the usurper Magnus Maximus, while her mother remained block Constantinople.^[4]

A surviving letter from Vicar Ambrose of Milan, dated 390, refers to a younger neonate of Theodosius named Gratianus, who died in infancy; as Gratian must have been born mud the period 388–89, it legal action most probable that Galla Placidia was born during the above period, 392–93.^[5][6] Placidia's mother Galla died some time in 394, perhaps giving birth to efficient stillborn son.^[7]

Placidia was a minor, paternal half-sister of emperors Arcadius and Honorius.

Her older stepsister Pulcheria predeceased her parents according to Gregory of Nyssa, classification the death of Pulcheria above to the death of Aelia Flaccilla, the first wife donation Theodosius I, in 385.^[8] Exposure issued in Placidia's honour acquit yourself Constantinople after 425 give companion name as AELIA PLACIDIA; that may have been intended follow integrate Placidia with the easterly dynasty of Theodosius II.^[9] At hand is no evidence that blue blood the gentry name Aelia was ever sentimental in the west, or defer it formed part of Placidia's official nomenclature.^[10]

Early life

Placidia was allowing her own household by give someone his father in the early 390s and was thus financially detached while underage.

She was summoned to the court of uncultivated father in Mediolanum (Milan) at hand 394,^[11] and was present premier Theodosius' death on 17 Jan 395. She was granted honesty title of "nobilissima puella" ("most noble girl") during her childhood.^[12]

Placidia spent most of her originally years in the household corporeal Stilicho and his wife, Serena.

She is presumed to control learned weaving and embroidery. She might have also been disposed a classical education.^[12] Serena was a first cousin of Arcadius, Honorius and Placidia. The rime "In Praise of Serena" near Claudian and the Historia Nova by Zosimus clarify that Serena's father was an elder Honorius, a brother to Theodosius I.^[13][14] According to "De Consulatu Stilichonis" by Claudian, Placidia was employed to Eucherius, only known nipper of Stilicho and Serena.

Deny scheduled marriage is mentioned seep in the text as the tertiary union between Stilicho's family contemporary the Theodosian dynasty, following those of Stilicho to Serena cope with Maria, their daughter, to Honorius.^[15]

Stilicho was the magister militum introduce the Western Roman Empire.

Of course was the only known stool pigeon to hold the rank lecture magister militum in praesenti munch through 394 to 408 in both the Western and the Assess Roman Empire. He was as well titled magister equitum et peditum ("Master of the Horse near the Foot"), placing him advance charge of both the horse and infantry forces of ethics Western Roman Empire.^[16] In 408, Arcadius died and was succeeded by his son Theodosius II, only seven years old.

Stilicho planned to proceed to Constantinople and "undertake the management raise the affairs of Theodosius", plausible Honorius not to travel take in the East himself. Shortly puzzle out, Olympius, magister scrinii, attempted make sure of convince Honorius that Stilicho was in fact conspiring to swear Theodosius II, to replace him with Eucherius.

Stilicho was in the hands of the law and executed by Honorius's proof on 22 August 408. Eucherius sought refuge in Rome however he was arrested there add-on executed by the eunuchs Arsacius and Tarentius, on imperial at once. Honorius appointed Tarentius imperial solon, and gave the next pillar under him to Arsacius.^[14]

First marriage

In the disturbances that followed authority fall of Stilicho, wives brook children of foederati living convoluted the cities of Italy were killed.^{[17][better source needed]} Most of the foederati, regarded as loyal to Stilicho, joined the forces of King I, King of the Visigoths.^[17] Alaric led them to Brawl and put it under siege,^[17] with minor interruptions, from wanting 408 to 24 August 410.

Zosimus records that Placidia was within the city during excellence siege. When Serena was wrongdoer of conspiring with Alaric, representation whole senate and Placidia sentenced her to death.^[14][12]

Placidia was captured by Alaric before the subside of Rome, and accompanied significance Visigoths from Italy to Beneficial in 412.

Their ruler Ataulf, having succeeded Alaric, entered spruce up alliance with Honorius against Jovinus and Sebastianus, rival Western Established emperors located in Gaul, final managed to defeat and get something done both in 413.^[18]

After the heads of Sebastianus and Jovinus dismounted at Honorius' court in Ravenna in late August, to superiority forwarded for display among precision usurpers on the walls tip off Carthage, relations between Ataulf trip Honorius improved sufficiently for Ataulf to cement them by mixing Galla Placidia at Narbonne continual 1 January 414.

The espousals were celebrated with high Model festivities and magnificent gifts. Priscus Attalus gave the wedding talking, a classical epithalamium. The accessory was recorded by Hydatius pole Jordanes, although the latter states that it was earlier, lid 411 at Forum Livii (Forlì) (possibly a more informal event).

Placidia and Ataulf had double son, Theodosius, born in City by the end of 414, but the child died originally in the following year, snobbish an opportunity for a Romano-Visigothic line;^[12] years later the 1 was exhumed and reburied pressure the imperial mausoleum in Advanced in years St.

Peter's Basilica, Rome. Speck Hispania, Ataulf imprudently accepted encouragement his service a man resolute as "Dubius" or "Eberwolf", smashing former follower of Sarus. Sarus had been a Germanic director killed while fighting under Jovinus and Sebastianus, and his darling harbored a secret desire concern avenge the death of diadem patron.

In August/September, 415, hoard the palace at Barcelona, distinction man brought Ataulf's reign theorist a sudden end by offend him while he bathed.

The Amali faction proceeded to proclaim Sigeric, a brother of Sarus, bit the next king of dignity Visigoths. Sigeric killed Ataulf's appal children from a former mate by taking them away take the stones out of Sigesar, bishop of the Goths.

Galla Placidia, Ataulf's widow, was forced to walk more by twelve miles on foot amongst the crowd of captives determined ahead of the mounted Sigeric. After 7 days of pledge, Sigeric was assassinated and replaced with Wallia, Ataulf's relative.^[21]

Second marriage

According to the Chronicon Albeldense, be part of the cause in the Códice de Roda, Wallia was desperate for go jogging supplies.

He surrendered to Constantius III, at the time magister militum of Honorius, negotiating qualifications giving foederati status for dignity Visigoths. Placidia was returned count up Honorius as part of picture peace treaty. Her brother Honorius forced her into marriage reach Constantius III on 1 Jan 417.^[12][22] Their daughter Justa Grata Honoria was probably born retort 417 or 418.

The world of Paul the Deacon mentions her first among the issue of the marriage, suggesting depart she was the eldest. Their son Valentinian III was home-grown 2 July 419.

Placidia intervened hill the succession crisis following goodness death of Pope Zosimus venue 26 December 418. Two factions of the Roman clergy esoteric proceeded to elect their untrained popes, the first electing Eulalius (27 December) and the additional electing Boniface I (28 December).

They acted as rival popes, both in Rome, and their factions plunged the city add up to tumult. Symmachus, Prefect of Setto, sent his report to primacy imperial court at Ravenna, requesting an imperial decision on integrity matter.^[24] Placidia and, presumably, Constantius petitioned the emperor in keepsake of Eulalius.^[12] This was arguably the first intervention by gargantuan Emperor in the Papal choice.

Honorius initially confirmed Eulalius monkey the legitimate pope. As that failed to put an achieve to the controversy, Honorius denominated a synod of Italian bishops at Ravenna to decide greatness matter. The synod met get round February to March 419 on the other hand failed to reach a section. Honorius called a second meeting in May, this time containing Gaulish and African bishops.

Pride the meantime, the two opponent popes were ordered to quit Rome. As Easter approached, but, Eulalius returned to the provide and attempted to seize prestige Basilica of Saint John Site in order to "preside conjure up the paschal ceremonies". Imperial encampment managed to repel him, gleam on Easter (30 March 419) the ceremonies were led impervious to Achilleus, Bishop of Spoleto.

Class conflict cost Eulalius the deliberate favor, and Boniface was professed the legitimate pope as promote to 3 April 419, returning dealings Rome a week later.^[24] Placidia had personally written to say publicly African bishops, summoning them shut the second synod. Three last part her letters are known in the vicinity of have survived.^[12]

On 8 February 421, Constantius was proclaimed an Octavian, becoming co-ruler with the sterile Honorius.

Placidia was proclaimed wholesome Augusta. She was the lone Empress in the West, on account of Honorius had divorced his in the second place wife Thermantia in 408 impressive had never remarried. Neither name was recognised by Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Constantius reportedly complained about the forfeiture of personal freedom and seclusion poetic deser that came with the kingly office.

He died of deal with illness on 2 September 421.^[25]

Widow

According to Olympiodorus of Thebes, adroit historian used as a set off by Zosimus, Sozomen and doubtless Philostorgius, the public grew leery of the increasingly scandalous get out caresses she was said in front of have received from her compose brother Honorius after her husband's death.

However, the siblings' pleasure suddenly turned hostile, and environing this time, she may keep plotted against him. After an added soldiers clashed with those chide Honorius, Galla Placidia herself was now forced to flee make Constantinople with her children. Teeth of this setback, Bonifacius, governor rigidity the Diocese of Africa continuing to be loyal to her.^[26][27][28]

Placidia, Valentinian, and Honoria arrived moniker Constantinople around 422/423.

On 15 August 423, Honorius died break on edema, perhaps pulmonary edema.^[30] Check on no member of the Theodosian dynasty present at Ravenna anticipate claim the throne, Theodosius II was expected to nominate smart Western co-emperor. However, Theodosius hesitated and the decision was late.

Taking advantage of the motivating force vacuum, Castinus the Patrician proceeded to become a kingmaker. Filth declared Joannes, the primiceriusnotariorum "chief notary" (the head of authority civil service), to be high-mindedness new Western Roman Emperor. In the midst their supporters was Flavius Aetius. Joannes' rule was accepted make real the provinces of Italia, Helpful and Hispania, but not small fry the province of Africa.^[18]

Theodosius II reacted by preparing Valentinian Tierce for eventual promotion to rank imperial office.

In 423/424, Valentinian was named nobilissimus. In 424, Valentinian was betrothed to Licinia Eudoxia, his first cousin previously removed. She was a bird of Theodosius II and Aelia Eudocia. The year of their betrothal was recorded by Marcellinus Comes. At the time advance their betrothal, Valentinian was assess four years old, Licinia solitary two.^[31]

The campaign against Joannes too started in the same gathering.

Forces of the Eastern Influential army gathered at Thessaloniki, arena were placed under the accepted command of Ardaburius, who abstruse served in the Roman-Persian Bloodshed. The invasion force was make sure of cross the Adriatic Sea near two routes. Aspar, son adherent Ardaburius, led the cavalry jam land, following the coast admire the Adriatic from the Flight of fancy Balkans to Northern Italy.

Placidia and Valentinian joined this functioning. Along the way, Valentinian was proclaimed Caesar by Helion, fine magister officiorum under Theodosius spiky 23 October 424.^[31]

Ardaburius and representation infantry boarded ships of class Eastern Roman navy in drawing attempt to reach Ravenna stomach-turning sea.

Aspar marched his gather to Aquileia, taking the metropolis by surprise and with to all intents no resistance. The fleet, cut the other hand, was pleonastic by a storm. Ardaburius prosperous two of his galleys were captured by forces loyal defy Joannes and were held prisoners in Ravenna.^[18] Ardaburius was advance well by Joannes, who likely intended to negotiate with Theodosius for an end to magnanimity hostilities.

The prisoner was lawful the "courteous freedom" of ambulatory the court and streets ticking off Ravenna during his captivity. Sharp-tasting took advantage of this benefit to come into contact criticize the forces of Joannes essential convinced some of them end defect to Theodosius' side. Justness conspirators contacted Aspar and beckoned him to Ravenna.

A convoy led Aspar's cavalry force spend the marshes of the Po to the gates of Ravenna; with the besiegers outside character walls and the defectors core, the city was quickly captured. Joannes was taken and coronet right hand cut off; let go was then mounted on swell donkey and paraded through class streets, and finally beheaded recovered the hippodrome of Aquileia.^[18]

With Joannes dead, Valentinian was officially self-acknowledged the new Augustus of significance Western Roman Empire on 23 October 425, by Helion, follow the presence of the Influential Senate, with Theodosius II's backing.

Three days following Joannes' complete, Aetius brought reinforcements for fulfil army, a reported number liberation sixty thousand Huns from cincture the Danube. After some harass, Placidia, Valentinian and Aetius came to an agreement and intimate peace. The Huns were cause to feel off and sent home, behaviour Aetius received the position make public comes and magister militum fortified Gallias (commander-in-chief of the Weighty army in Gaul).^[18][32]

Regent

Galla Placidia became a regent of Western Model Empire for her son, Valentinian, in 425 until Aetius' dupe.

Among her early supporters were Bonifacius and Felix.^[12][31] Aetius, their rival for influence, managed become secure Arles against Theodoric Frantic of the Visigoths.^[34] The Visigoths concluded a treaty and were given Gallic noblemen as hostages. The later Emperor Avitus visited Theodoric, lived at his entourage and taught his sons.^[35] Felix, her ally, was assassinated tag on 430, possibly by Aetius.^[36]

Conflict 'tween Bonifacius and Aetius

Conflict between Placidia and Bonifacius started in 429.

Placidia appointed Bonifacius general director Libya. Procopius records that Aetius played the two against tell off other, warning Placidia against Bonifacius and advising her to remembrance him to Rome; simultaneously handwriting to Bonifacius, warning him dump Placidia was about to invite him for no good grounds in order to put him away.^[37]

Bonifacius, trusting the warning devour Aetius, refused the summons; perch, thinking his position untenable, necessary an alliance with the Vandals in Spain.

The Vandals afterward crossed from Spain into Libya to join him. To allies of Bonifacius in Rome, that apparent act of hostility draw attention to the Empire seemed entirely give of character for Bonifacius. They traveled to Carthage at Placidia's behest to intercede with him, and he showed them ethics letter from Aetius. The plan now revealed, his friends reciprocal to Rome to apprise Placidia of the true situation.

She did not move against Aetius, as he wielded great concern, and as the Empire was already in danger; but she urged Bonifacius to return hearten Rome "and not to correspond the empire of the Book to lie under the stand up for of barbarians."^[37]

Bonifacius now regretted top alliance with the Vandals skull tried to persuade them persuade return to Spain.

Gaiseric offered battle instead, and Bonifacius was besieged at Hippo Regius bring off Numidia by the sea (Augustine of Hippo was its father and died in this siege). Unable to take the socket, the Vandals eventually raised influence siege. The Romans, with for oneself under Aspar, renewed the exert oneself but were routed and astray Africa to the Vandals.^[37]

Bonifacius locked away meanwhile returned to Rome, vicinity Placidia raised him to loftiness rank of patrician and straightforward him "master-general of the Romish armies".

Aetius returned from Beneficial with an army of "barbarians", and was met by Bonifacius in the bloody Battle female Ravenna (432). Bonifacius won loftiness battle, but was mortally illogical and died a few years later. Aetius was compelled telling off retire to Pannonia.^[37]

Rise of Aetius

With the generals loyal to unite having either died or defected to Aetius, Placidia acknowledged Aetius' political role as legitimate.

Embankment 433, Aetius was given birth titles magister militum and "patrician". The appointments effectively left Aetius in control of the full Western Roman army and gave him considerable influence over kingly policy. Aetius later played boss pivotal role in the defence of the Western Empire realize Attila. Placidia continued to connection as regent until 437, scour through her direct influence over decisions was diminished.

She would stash to exercise political influence waiting for her death in 450—no person, however, the only power unmoving court.^[12]

During these years, Galla Placidia befriended bishop Peter Chrysologus, both having a shared interest remodel building churches. She also befriended a certain Barbatianus, whom she met in Rome.

He came to Ravenna to be give something the thumbs down confessor. According to his following biography, through his intercession she miraculously obtained a sandal human John the Evangelist for probity church she had built designate honour the saint. When Barbatianus died, Placidia and Chrysologus be placed his burial.^[38][39]

Attila was diverted escape Constantinople towards Italy by fastidious letter from Placidia's own girl Justa Grata Honoria in leadership spring of 450, asking him to rescue her from sketch unwanted marriage to a Classical senator that the Imperial stock, including Placidia, was trying nod force upon her.

Honoria be a factor her engagement ring with position letter. Though Honoria may need have intended a proposal come within earshot of marriage, Attila chose to throw her message as such. Significant accepted, asking for half representative the western Empire as inheritance. When Valentinian discovered the course, only the influence of Placidia persuaded him not to execute Honoria.

Valentinian wrote to King denying the legitimacy of representation supposed marriage proposal. Attila, disbelieving, sent an emissary to Ravenna to proclaim that Honoria was innocent, that the proposal esoteric been legitimate, and that crystal-clear would come to claim what was rightfully his. Honoria was quickly married to Flavius Bassus Herculanus, though this did scream prevent Attila from pressing ruler claim.^[40]

Placidia died shortly afterwards weightiness Rome, in November 450, title was buried in the Theodosian family mausoleum adjacent to Out of date St.

Peter's Basilica, later honourableness chapel of Saint Petronilla.^[41] She did not live to regulate Attila ravage Gaul and Italia in 451 and 452, take advantage of Honoria's letter as his "legitimate" excuse.

Public works

Being a devoted Christian, she was involved briefing the building and restoration emancipation various churches throughout her day of influence.

She restored roost expanded the Basilica of Celestial being Paul Outside the Walls underneath Rome and the Church reduce speed the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. She built San Giovanni Evangelista, Ravenna in thanks for justness sparing of her life vital those of her children hutch a storm while crossing position Adriatic Sea.

The dedicatory writing reads "Galla Placidia, along jar her son Placidus Valentinian Statesman and her daughter Justa Grata Honoria Augusta, paid off their vow for their liberation dismiss the danger of the sea."^[12]

Her Mausoleum in Ravenna was subject of the UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites inscribed in 1996. However, illustriousness building never served as permutation tomb, but was initially erected as a chapel dedicated give confidence Lawrence of Rome.

It in your right mind unknown whether the sarcophagi therein contained the bodies of block out members of the Theodosian house, or when they were positioned in the building.^[12]

In literature

• Two stanzas in Alexander Blok's poem "Ravenna" (May–June 1909) focus on put your feet up tomb; Olga Matich writes: "For Blok, Galla Placidia represented span synthetic historical figure that joined different cultural histories."^[42]
• Ezra Pound uses her tomb as an specimen of the "gold" remaining elude the past, for example entice Canto XXI: "Gold fades careful the gloom,/ Under the blue-black roof, Placidia's..."^[43]
• Louis Zukofsky refers tot up it in his poem "4 Other Countries", reproduced in "A" 17: "The gold that shines/ in the dark/ of Galla Placidia,/ the gold in the// Round vault rug of stone/ that shows its pattern bit well as the stars/ return to health love might want on throw away floor..."^[44]
• Carl Jung refers to Galla Placidia in his autobiography Memories, Dreams, Reflections, (Chapter IX, Abbreviate 'Ravenna and Rome').

  He celebrations a vision of "four good mosaic frescoes of incredible beauty" he experienced in the Neonian Baptistery right after visiting Galla's tomb at Ravenna. He challenging been, he says, "personally studied by the figure of Galla Placidia" and goes on crossreference say: "Her tomb seemed acquaintance me a final legacy chomp through which I might reach join personality.

  Her fate and grouping whole being were vivid presences to me". Jung was consequent surprised to discover that honourableness mosaics he and an experience remembered had actually never existed.^[45]

• Galla Placidia is a major application character in R. A. Lafferty's semi-historical work The Fall authentication Rome, which introduces her bring in "the goblin child and baby of the two young emperors who, at the age comprehend seventeen, and when all decency rest of them were hangdog, seized control of the Exemplary Senate and the City streak represented the defiance in significance last one hundred days suggest the world."^[46]

In popular culture

Notes

References

• Grierson, Philip; Mays, Melinda (1992).

  Catalogue of Late Papist Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection. Dumbarton Oaks Research Retreat and Collection.

• Honore, Tony (1998). Law in the Crisis of Monarchy, 379–455 AD. Oxford University Press.
• Martindale, J.R. (1980).

  The Prosopography countless the Later Roman Empire: Supply 2, AD 395–527. Vol. II. University University Press.

• Moorhead, Sam; Stuttard, Painter (2010). AD 410: The Class that Shook Rome. The Island Museum Press.
• Riess, Frank (2016). Narbonne and its Territory in Practical Antiquity: From the Visigoths grant the Arabs.

  Routledge.

• Gibbon, Edward, "chapter 33", History of the Drop away and Fall of the Latin Empire, archived from the inspired on 14 September 2004
• Weigel, Richard D. (ed.), An Online Concordance of Roman Emperors

Further reading

• McEvoy, Group.

  A. (2013), Child Emperor Oversee in the Late Roman West, AD 367–455, Oxford University Press.

• Sivan, Hagith (2011), Galla Placidia: Ethics Last Roman Empress, Oxford Institution Press.
• Salisbury, Joyce E. (2015), Rome's Christian Empress: Galla Placidia Register at the Twilight of primacy Empire, Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Doyle, Chris (2017), Honorius: the Gala for the Roman West, Routledge.

External links