Vetranio

Vetranio († 356) was co-emperor of the Roman Empire from March 1 to December 25, 350

Contemporary background

The Roman Empire went through at the beginning of the 4th century a profound change. Constantine the Great had in the succession struggles in which, founded by Emperor Diocletian tetrarchy came to an end, enforced and thus founded the Constantinian dynasty. Constantine promoted Christianity and thus initiated the Christianization of the Empire a ( Constantinian turn ). His successors were his sons, Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans. Constantine II died in 340, when he tried to attack his younger brother Constans.

Constantine had not recently moved from foreign policy considerations, the capital of the empire to Constantinople Opel, which was about the same distance from the threatened frontiers of the empire on the Danube and the Euphrates. However, while the situation on the eve of Huns storm and mass migration was largely secured on the Danube, the situation in the east remained dangerous, as the Persians after an uneasy peace again went towards the end of the reign of Constantine in the offensive. Another foreign policy focal point remained the Rhine frontier in Gaul.

After a few years of relative calm made from 350, the usurpation of Magnentius again for internal problems. Constans, the bad relationship with the military now avenged, was killed on the run.

Life

Vetranios origin is unclear. He was military chief ( magister militum ) of the Illyrian and Pannonian units and settled after the assassination of Constans in 350 at Sirmium proclaimed emperor. In the background worked well Constantina, sister of Constantius II, on behalf of her younger brother for him. Vetranio appear on minted in this period coins as emperor. He was, logically, on the part of Constantius II in the East against the usurper Magnentius in the West.

The meanwhile also to the Emperor explanatory Nepotianus was quickly defeated. Constantius appointed Vetranio then officially Augustus. Vetranio and Constantius met in Naissus ( Niš ). He welcomed the Emperor of the East with all the honors and gave him his troops. In December 350 Vetranio had the title on the orders of Constantius give back, which he did, amazingly, without resistance. So Vetranio could spend a wealthy man in Prusa the last six years of his life.