Flavius Arbogastes Roman general Country: Italy

Content:

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Rise to Power
3. Relationship with Valentinian II
4. Usurpation of Power
5. Reign of Eugenius
6. Conflict with Theodosius
7. Arbogast's Suicide

Early Life and Military Career

Arbogast, a Frankish general, rose to prominence in the late 4th century. As magister militum, he commanded the Western Roman Empire's armies under Emperor Valentinian II from 388-394 AD.

Rise to Power

Despite his barbarian background, Arbogast's integrity, bravery, and indifference to wealth earned him respect among the soldiers. He first gained attention during battles against the Goths in Thrace around 380 AD. After the usurper Magnus Maximus killed Emperor Gratian in 383 AD and deposed Valentinian in 387 AD, Arbogast remained loyal to Valentinian. In 388 AD, following Maximus' defeat by Theodosius the Great, Valentinian was restored to the throne, and Arbogast became his commander-in-chief, allegedly seizing the position through the army's support.

Relationship with Valentinian II

Arbogast's character was described as "ferocious and cruel" by Socrates Scholasticus. Valentinian, now grown, clashed repeatedly with the powerful general. According to Philostorgius, Valentinian attempted to attack Arbogast with a sword but was restrained. Zosimus relates a separate incident where Valentinian, frustrated by Arbogast's independence, ordered him removed as commander-in-chief, which Arbogast tore up, declaring that only he could appoint and dismiss him.

Usurpation of Power

Arbogast's de facto rule is evident in the writings of Alexander Sulpicius, preserved in quotes by Gregory of Tours. Despite Valentinian's complaints to Theodosius, Arbogast hesitated before resorting to drastic action. In May 392 AD, Valentinian was found hanged in Vienne. Some sources indicate that Arbogast personally killed the emperor in front of his soldiers.

Reign of Eugenius

In August 392 AD, Eugenius, a Christian and a close friend of Arbogast, was proclaimed Valentinian's successor. Arbogast, maintaining his position under the new emperor, allied with the senatorial aristocracy to promote a pagan restoration in the West.

Conflict with Theodosius

Emperor Theodosius appointed his son Honorius as Valentinian's co-ruler and invaded to depose Eugenius in 394 AD. At the Battle of the Frigidus River, Arbogast initially crushed a Gothic contingent in Theodosius' army, but his generals defected. Eugenius was captured and executed, while Arbogast fled.

Arbogast's Suicide

On September 8, 394 AD, according to Socrates Scholasticus, Arbogast committed suicide. Claudian provides further details, describing him as piercing his own side with two swords.

Military leaders

Helmut Moltke	Flavius Arbitio	August Wilhelm
Edmund Fanning	Douglas Lute	Juhlio Duwe