Flavius Placidus Valentinianus
Italy- Valentinian III: Last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire
- Regency and Successes
- Assassination of Aetius
- Death and Aftermath
Valentinian III: Last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire
Early Life and AccessionValentinian III was born in 419 CE as the son of Constantius III and Galla Placidia, who was the sister of Emperor Honorius. In 425 CE, after the death of Honorius and the defeat of the usurper John, Valentinian was proclaimed Emperor of the West by his uncle, Theodosius II.
Regency and Successes
Valentinian's mother, Galla Placidia, acted as regent until 450 CE, assisted by the brilliant general Aetius. For over 20 years, Aetius successfully defended the empire's northern and eastern frontiers against barbarian invasions. However, in 429 CE, the Vandals conquered Africa due to a feud between Aetius and the governor of the province, Boniface.
Assassination of Aetius
In 451 CE, Aetius achieved a legendary victory over Attila the Hun. However, Valentinian, consumed by jealousy and suspicion, had Aetius assassinated the following year.
Death and Aftermath
On March 16, 455 CE, Petronius Maximus, dissatisfied with his position under Valentinian, assassinated the emperor. Valentinian's wife, Eudoxia, and his daughters were taken captive by the Vandals during the sack of Rome in 455 CE.
Valentinian's death marked the beginning of the final decline of the Western Roman Empire. Rome fell to the Vandals in the same year, and Petronius Maximus was killed shortly after. A succession of short-lived and incompetent emperors followed, becoming mere puppets of barbarian warlords. The empire's collapse culminated in the deposition of Romulus Augustulus in 476 CE.
