Gratianus Funarius, also known as Gratianus Major (Major Latin for the elder), also known as Gratian the Elder, 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 of 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 obtained 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. That occasion inspired Gratianus to enlist in the Roman Army.
Military & Political Career
Gratianus was renowned for his strength and 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 (comitatenses). 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 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.
Sources
- 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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