Dynastic Connections in the Roman Empire

7 Questions

What was the reason for Valentinian I's marriage to Justina?

To seek support in Gaul

Who did Gratian marry and what was her connection to Constantine the Great?

Gratian married Constantia, who was Constantine the Great's granddaughter.

Who did Theodosius I marry in preparation for his campaign against Magnus Maximus?

Theodosius I married Galla, the sister of Valentinian II and daughter of Valentinian I and Justina.

Why did Fl. Stilicho become the undisputed ruler of the western Empire and the whole imperial field army after Theodosius I's death in 395?

Due to his marriage to the dead emperor's favorite niece and adoptive daughter, Serena.

Why did Arcadius recall the eastern field army and marry Aélia Eudóxia?

To safeguard himself against Stilicho's presumptive guardianship and show his independence.

What role did Eudóxia play in the politics of Constantinople?

She played an eminent role, especially in her conflict with the city's patriarch, John Chrysostom.

How did Stilicho secure his hold over Honorius and what was the outcome?

Stilicho secured his hold over Honorius by marrying his daughter Maria to him in 398, but the marriage did not deepen the bond between the emperor and his father-in-law. Honorius eventually ordered the death of Stilicho on 22 August 408.

Study Notes

The Dynastic Connections of the Roman Empire in the 4th and 5th Centuries

Valentinian I and Theodosius I both rose to the throne during times of need in the 4th century.
Valentinian I divided the Empire with his brother and took up the rule of the west, seeking support in Gaul by marrying Justina, the widow of the usurper Magnentius.
Gratian, Valentinian I's elder son, married Constantia, the daughter of Constantius II and granddaughter of Constantine the Great.
Theodosius I married Galla, the sister of Valentinian II and daughter of Valentinian I and Justina, in preparation for his campaign against Magnus Maximus.
Fl. Stilicho became the undisputed ruler of the western Empire and the whole imperial field army after Theodosius I's death in 395, due to his marriage to the dead emperor's favorite niece and adoptive daughter, Serena.
Stilicho claimed the role of regent and guardian for both his adoptive nephews by marriage on the strength of the dying emperor's last will.
Arcadius, the elder of the two nephews, safeguarded himself against Stilicho's presumptive guardianship by marrying Aélia Eudóxia, daughter of the famous Frankish general Bauto, and recalling the eastern field army, showing his independence.
Eudóxia played an eminent role in the politics of Constantinople, especially in her conflict with the city's patriarch, John Chrysostom, which led to the latter's deposition and banishment.
Stilicho secured his hold over Honorius, the younger of the two nephews, by marrying his daughter Maria to him in 398, while Claudian heaped extravagant praise on bride and groom in his nuptial poems commemorating this event.
When Maria died in 407 or 408, Stilicho orchestrated another wedding obliging Honorius to marry his younger daughter, Aemilia Materna Ther-mantia, but the marriage did not deepen the bond between the emperor and his father-in-law.
Honorius put an end to relations by marriage by ordering the death of Stilicho on 22 August 408, sending his wife back to her mother, Serena, and ordering the execution of his brother-in-law Eucheric.
The dynastic connections of the Roman Empire in the 4th and 5th centuries were complex and played a significant role in the politics and power struggles of the time.