Late Roman Empire, Non-dynastic (455-476) (W) and the Leonid Dynasty (457-518) (E): 82 Petronius Maximus (W), Gaiseric

82 PETRONIUS MAXIMUS (c.59; r.03.455-05.455) (W)

With the Hun threat removed it seemed that Aetius was no longer critical to Valentinian’s survival. An ambitious political leader ⁶⁷Flavius Anicius Petronius Maximus (c.59; fl.411-455) and the emperor’s chamberlain Heraclius, both of whom were unhappy with Aetius’ power, convinced Valentinian that Aetius was planning to usurp him. In September 454 when Aetius arrived in court the emperor leaped from his throne and stabbed Aetius with his sword and then together with Heraclius killed him. In 455 Optila and Thraustila, two barbarian officers in Valentinian’s service but loyal to Aetius’ memory, murdered the emperor and his chamberlain.

Petronius secured his connection to the Theodosian dynasty by forcing Valentinian’s widow Licinia Eudoxia (c.71; fl.424-c.493) to marry him or face execution. To further strengthen his position he appointed the future emperor ⁶⁶Flavius Maccilius Eparchius Avitus (77/62; fl.421-457) as magister militum and sent him to Toulouse to gain the support of the Visigoths. To his son Palladius (c.35; d.455) he offered Licinia’s daughter Eudocia (27/35; fl.444-466/474), already betrothed to Huneric (r.477-484), son of the Vandal king Gaiseric (c.77; r.428-477) and sent to Rome as a hostage for peace in 435.

Gaiseric (c.77; r.428-477), King of the Vandals

In North Africa the Vandals using ships they had captured in Carthage and those they had then built themselves, launched raids on Sicily. At the end of May 455 a fleet under Gaiseric a fleet sailed to Ostia, sailed up the Tiber and camped ten kilometres outside Rome. Petronius tried to escape but was recognized and slain. Pope Leo met Gaiseric outside the walls and begged him to spare the city, which was empty of defenders. The Vandal king agreed but insisted on the right to pillage. During June 455, therefore, Rome endured two weeks of a systematic sack. The Vandals then set sail for Africa with their loot, together with Eudoxia and her two daughters. Eudocia married Huneric sometime in the early 460s, while Eudoxia and her other daughter, Galla Placidia Valentiniana (39-43; fl.455-484), were sent to Constantinople.