2020-05-15 Fri

Valentinian II was Roman Emperor from AD 375 to 392. He was born to Emperor Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina. He was the half-brother of Valentinian's other son, Gratian, who had shared the imperial title with his father since 367.

On November 22, 375, five days after the death of his father, the four-year-old Valentinian was proclaimed emperor at Aquincum. Valentinian himself seems to have exercised no real authority and was a figurehead for various powerful interests: his mother, his co-emperors, and powerful generals.

Today on 15th May 392, Emperor Valentinian II assassinated while advancing into Gaul against the Frankish usurper Arbogast. He is found hanging in his residence at Vienne.

The above-shown Solidus was issued by Valentinian II. The obverse of a coin depicts earl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Valentinian II. The reverse shows Valentinian II and Theodosius I, nimbate, seated facing on double throne, holding globe between them, the emperor on right holding mappa in left hand; Victory standing with outspread wings behind and between them, vertical palm between on ground line.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org