biography
| name: |
Gratian
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| |
in full Flavius Augustus Gratianus
|
pronunciation:
[grayshian]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (359–383)
|
| biography:
| Roman emperor from 375, the son of Valentinian I. In 367 his father made him Augustus in Gaul, and on Valentinian's death he became emperor of the West, which he shared with his brother Valentinian II. He appointed Theodosius emperor in the East on the death of his uncle Valens (378). He was much influenced by St Ambrose, and dropped the phrase Pontifex Maximus (‘Supreme Priest’) from his title as a mark of respect for Christianity. He was eventually overthrown by the usurper Magnus Maximus (ruled W empire, 383–88), and was murdered at Lyon. |
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