Arbogast (general)
Categories: Roman Empire | Western Rome | Late Antiquity | Roman generals | Western Roman Empire | Magister Militum
Flavius Arbogastes (d. September 6, 394 AD) known as 'Arbogast' was of Frankish origin and the son of Flavius Bauto, Valentinian II's former magister militum and protector before Arbogast.
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Life
Little is known of Flavius Arbogastes other than his career as the Western Roman Empire's magister militum following his father's death in 385 AD. He was appointed magister militum of the Western Roman Empire by Theodosius I under the reign of Emperor Valentinian II in 388 AD following the death of usurper Magnus Maximus. Arbogast was the de facto ruler of the Western Roman Empire, and Valentinian II, age 20, had little say in any matters. Arbogast is personally credited as the mastermind of pagan senatorial uprising in Rome following the academic debates between Christian and pagan senators for generations regarding abandoning Christianity and returning to paganism.
Rise to Power
Following Valentinian II's death on May 15 392 AD,a new leader of the Western Roman Empire was needed. Arbogast, a Frank, was not a pure blooded Roman, and could not be an Emperor. On August 22 392 AD, Arbogast, with the support of the pagan senate in Rome, replaced Valentinian II with Eugenius, a Christian administrator of Rome with pagan sympathies, as his puppet emperor to appeal to Theodosius I. At the same time of Valentinian II's death, Theodosius named his son Flavius Augustus Honorius as emperor of the Western Roman Empire. After numerous efforts by the Western Roman Empire to appease Theodosius I following Eugenius's appointment, Theodosius I begun preparing to retake the West from Aborgast and Eugenius.
The Battle of Frigidus
On September 5, 394 AD, Theodosius I attacked Arbogast in the Battle of Frigidus on the banks of the Frigidus (Wippach) River. The battle lasted two days with heavy losses on both sides. On September 6 394 AD, Arbogast committed suicide immediately following his defeat in the Julian Alps. Co-Ruler Emperor Eugenius was killed in his camp on the same day.
This civil war ultimately ended pagan Roman senatorial opposition to the Christianization of the Roman Empire, and is regarded as one of the most important battles in the history of Western Civilization and Christianity.
Rumors
It is widely speculated that Flavius Arbogastes hung Valentinian II in his villa, however, it was deemed a suicide. Both Valentinian II and Arbogastes frequently disputed rulership over the Western Roman Empire. More than likely these allegations were propaganda used by Theodosius I to justify a hostile takeover of the Western Roman Empire for treason and heresy.
Related Links
External links
- Article on Valentinian II relating to Arbogast
- Arbogaste History from Teodosio's L'ultima sfida
- Walter E. Roberts of Emory University lectures on Aborgast
- Flavius Stilicho
| Preceded by: {{{before}}}}|before=Flavius Bauto}} | {{{title}}} {{{years}}}}|title=Western Roman Empire, Magister Militum|years=388 AD (Appointed) to 394 AD (Killed)}} | Succeeded by: {{{after}}} |