WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Gratian 367-383 AE2 Rev-Emperor dragging captive NGC (001)

CERTIFIED BY NGC

Gratian  367-383  AE2

Decline & Fall of Rome

OBVERSE: Draped and diademic bust of
Graciano on the right

REVERSE:  Gratian standing front, head
left, raising kneeling female on left, and holding Victory on globe.
Emperor dragging captive.

Gratian (* Sirmium; † 383 in Lugdunum), with
full name Flavius Gratianus.



He was emperor in the west of the Roman Empire from 375 to 383, but was
appointed co-emperor by his father Valentinian I as early as 367.



Together with Theodosius I, he raised Christianity to the status of state
religion in the Roman Empire.



Gratian's reign can be seen as a transitional period in the Empire from paganism
to Christianity and coincides with the end of the Arian controversy.

Under the influence of Ambrose of Milan, Gratian rejected (probably in 382 or
383) the insignia of the Pontifex Maximus, which Constantine and his successors
had continued to accept. It is generally assumed that Gratian, on the advice of
his advisor Ambrosius of Milan, took tougher action against paganism. In any
case, he abolished all privileges of the pagan priests and vestal virgins,
including the special rights of their cults, and thus also deprived them of
financial means.



In 381 he had the altar of Victoria removed from the Senate's meeting hall (see
Dispute over the Altar of Victoria). Without state support, paganism
subsequently lost more and more influence. In 383, Gratian also declared
apostasy (apostasy from the faith) by law to be a crime to be prosecuted by the
state.



Gratian's reign contrasted on the one hand with his father's rule (as far as the
good relationship with the Senate was concerned), but on the other hand it also
showed continuity (as far as military and border policies were concerned).
According to the sources, Gratian was pious and very educated.



Of importance, apart from his religious policy, is his appointment of the
capable Theodosius as well as his overall successful border defence, even if the
emperor as a person was relatively insignificant. However, his character and
private life seem to have differed positively from some of his predecessors.