Gratian
A Roman emperor whose religious policies permanently shifted the Empire's course toward orthodox Christianity.
Born 359 (age 1667)·Roman emperor from 367 to 383·Birthday: April 18
Biography
Elevated to co-emperor as a child by his father, Valentinian I, Gratian assumed full control of the Western Roman Empire at sixteen. His reign is a pivot point between the pagan past and the Christian future. Influenced heavily by the forceful Bishop Ambrose of Milan, Gratian took decisive steps that previous Christian emperors had avoided. He removed the ancient Altar of Victory from the Senate House, a profound symbolic break with Rome's traditional state cult. He refused the pagan title of Pontifex Maximus and withdrew state subsidies for pagan priesthoods and temples. While militarily reliant on his generals, his court became a center for Christian intellectuals. His favoring of orthodox Christianity over other sects and his alienation of still-influential pagan aristocracy created tensions, culminating in his assassination during a rebellion. Gratian's actions made the Christianization of the state apparatus irreversible.
#1 When Gratian Was Born
The biggest hits of 359
Gratian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
359Born
364Started school
372Became a teenager
375Could drive
377Could vote
380Turned 21
389Turned 30
399Turned 40
409Turned 50
419Turned 60
429Turned 70
439Turned 80
2026Age 1667 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Issued the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 with Theodosius I, declaring Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire.
- Secured a major victory against the Alamanni at the Battle of Argentovaria in 378.
- Appointed the capable general Theodosius as Eastern Emperor following the disaster at Adrianople.
- Removed the Altar of Victory from the Roman Senate, a definitive blow to official pagan practice.
Did You Know?
He became co-Augustus at the age of eight and sole Western emperor at sixteen.
Gratian had a deep passion for archery and was said to be exceptionally skilled at it.
He was the last emperor to command and fight with the Roman legions along the Rhine frontier personally.
His first wife, Constantia, was the posthumous daughter of the earlier emperor Constantius II.
“The altar of Victory must be removed from the Senate House.”
