Gratian the Elder

Gratian the Elder

Gratianus Funarius, also known as Gratianus Major ("Major" Latin for "the elder"), also known as "Gratian the Elder", who was a soldier of the Roman Empire who flourished in the 4th century. He is called "Gratian the Elder", to distinguish himself from his grandson the Roman Emperor Gratian.

Origins

Gratianus originated from an obscure Christian family from the town Cibalae or Cibalis, Southern Pannonia (modern Vinkovci, Croatia). There Gratianus seems to have married a local woman and they had two sons Flavius Valentinianus (321-375) and Flavius Iulius (Julius) Valens (328-378). His first son would become Roman Emperor of the West and his second son would become Roman Emperor of the East.

Gratianus obtain the cognomen Funarius, which means ‘the rope-man’, because prior to his military career, Gratianus was a Rope Salesman. On one occasion, he successfully resisted the efforts of five soldiers to wrestle him. From that occasion, it inspired Gratianus to enlist in the Roman Army.

Military & Political Career

Gratianus was renowned for the strength, his wrestling skills and had an illustrious army career. He rose from Staff Officer to be promoted to Military Tribune and became a Comes Africae. In the 340s, Gratianus was sent to Britannia and was given the title "Comes Britanniarum". He commanded a field army ("comitatus"). The crisis that precipitated this is not known however.

After his army career ended, Gratianus returned to his birthplace and lived as a private citizen who had earned a good reputation from his military career. Gratianus could have earned the praetorship.

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 and due his to 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.

ources

* http://www.roman-emperors.org/vali.htm
* http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1409.html
* Rodgers,N.,The History and Conquests of Ancient Rome,Hermes House,2005.


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