Gratian the Elder
Encyclopedia
Gratianus Funarius, also known as Gratianus the Elder or Gratianus Major (Major is Latin for the elder), was an Illyrian
soldier of the Roman Empire
who flourished in the 4th century. He was the father of Roman Emperor
s, Valentinian I
and Valens
, founders of the Valentinianic Dynasty.
), in southern Pannonia Secunda
(modern Croatia
), possibly in the 280s. During his youth, Gratianus obtained the cognomen
Funarius, meaning ‘the rope-man’ because he was a rope
salesman. Gratianus joined the army and rose through the ranks to become protector domesticus during the reign of Constantine the Great. A protector domesticus named "...atianus" is attested at Salona
(Split
) during this time, leading some to think Gratianus could have been stationed there. Gratianus' first independent command was as a tribunus, probably in the mobile field army of Constantine. During the late 320's or early 330's he was made comes
of Africa
, possibly to supervise the frontier. However, Gratianus was soon accused of embezzlement and was forced to retire. Gratianus was recalled during the early 340s and was made comes of Britannia
. He may have been recalled to command a unit of comitatenses
under emperor Constans I during his campaign on the island in the winter of 342/3. After his military career ended, Gratianus returned to his birthplace and lived as a private citizen with good reputation.
In Gratianus’ retirement, Roman Emperor Constantius II
(reigned 337-360) confiscated all of his estates because of his suspected support of Roman usurper
Magnentius
. Gratianus was kept in high regard with fellow soldiers due to his popularity within the army; this could have contributed to the elevation of his sons and his descendants in becoming Roman Emperors. When Valens
became Emperor, the Roman Senate
in Constantinople
decreed a brass statue of him. His son became emperor on February 26, 364
.
Illyrians
The Illyrians were a group of tribes who inhabited part of the western Balkans in antiquity and the south-eastern coasts of the Italian peninsula...
soldier of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
who flourished in the 4th century. He was the father of Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
s, Valentinian I
Valentinian I
Valentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
and Valens
Valens
Valens was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter's accession to the throne...
, founders of the Valentinianic Dynasty.
Life
Gratianus originated from the town of Cibalae (VinkovciVinkovci
Vinkovci is a city in Croatia, in the Vukovar-Syrmia County. In the 2011 census, the total population of the city was 35,375, making it the largest town of the county...
), in southern Pannonia Secunda
Pannonia Secunda
The Pannonia Secunda was one of the provinces of the Roman Empire. It was formed in the year 296, during the reign of emperor Diocletian. The capital of the province was Sirmium...
(modern Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
), possibly in the 280s. During his youth, Gratianus obtained the cognomen
Cognomen
The cognomen nōmen "name") was the third name of a citizen of Ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. The cognomen started as a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became hereditary. Hereditary cognomina were used to augment the second name in order to identify a particular branch within...
Funarius, meaning ‘the rope-man’ because he was a rope
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
salesman. Gratianus joined the army and rose through the ranks to become protector domesticus during the reign of Constantine the Great. A protector domesticus named "...atianus" is attested at Salona
Salona
Salona was an ancient Illyrian Delmati city in the first millennium BC. The Greeks had set up an emporion there. After the conquest by the Romans, Salona became the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia...
(Split
Split
Split or The Split may refer to:-Places:* Split, Croatia, the largest coastal city in Croatia* Split Island, an island in Hudson Bay, Canada* Split Island, Falkland Islands* Hạf’liua or Split Island, an island in the Rotuma Group of Fiji...
) during this time, leading some to think Gratianus could have been stationed there. Gratianus' first independent command was as a tribunus, probably in the mobile field army of Constantine. During the late 320's or early 330's he was made comes
Comes
Comes , plural comites , is the Latin word for companion, either individually or as a member of a collective known as comitatus, especially the suite of a magnate, in some cases large and/or formal enough to have a specific name, such as a cohors amicorum. The word comes derives from com- "with" +...
of Africa
Africa Province
The Roman province of Africa was established after the Romans defeated Carthage in the Third Punic War. It roughly comprised the territory of present-day northern Tunisia, and the small Mediterranean coast of modern-day western Libya along the Syrtis Minor...
, possibly to supervise the frontier. However, Gratianus was soon accused of embezzlement and was forced to retire. Gratianus was recalled during the early 340s and was made comes of Britannia
Roman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
. He may have been recalled to command a unit of comitatenses
Comitatenses
Comitatenses is the Latin plural of comitatensis, originally the adjective derived from comitatus , itself rooting in Comes .However, historically it became the accepted name for...
under emperor Constans I during his campaign on the island in the winter of 342/3. After his military career ended, Gratianus returned to his birthplace and lived as a private citizen with good reputation.
In Gratianus’ retirement, Roman Emperor Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
(reigned 337-360) confiscated all of his estates because of his suspected support of Roman usurper
Roman usurper
Usurpers are individuals or groups of individuals who obtain and maintain the power or rights of another by force and without legal authority. Usurpation was endemic during roman imperial era, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule.The...
Magnentius
Magnentius
Flavius Magnus Magnentius was a usurper of the Roman Empire .-Early life and career:...
. Gratianus was kept in high regard with fellow soldiers due to his popularity within the army; this could have contributed to the elevation of his sons and his descendants in becoming Roman Emperors. When Valens
Valens
Valens was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter's accession to the throne...
became Emperor, the Roman Senate
Roman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
decreed a brass statue of him. His son became emperor on February 26, 364
364
Year 364 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Varronianus...
.
Sources
- http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1409.html