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AS the Emperor Gratian was at this period occupied with a war
against the Alamanni, Maximus quitted Britain, with the design of
usurping the imperial power. Valentinian was then residing in Italy,
but as he was a minor, the affairs of state were transacted by
Probus, a praetorian prefect, who had formerly been consul.
Justina, the mother of the emperor, having espoused the Arian
heresy, persecuted Ambrose, bishop of Milan, and disquieted the
churches by her efforts to introduce alterations in the Nicene
doctrines, and to obtain the predominance of the form of belief set
forth at Ariminum. She was incensed against Ambrose because he
strenuously opposed her attempts at innovation, and she represented to
her son that he had insulted her. Valentinian believed this calumny,
and, determined to avenge the supposed wrongs of his mother, he sent a
party of soldiers against the church. On their reaching the temple,
they forced their way into the interior, arrested Ambrose, and were
about to lead him into exile at that very moment, when the people
assembled in crowds at the church, and evinced a resolution to die
rather than submit to the banishment of their priest. Justina was
still further incensed at this occurrence; and with a view of enforcing
her project by law, she sent for Menivolus, one of the legal
secretaries, and commanded him to draw up, as quickly as possible, an
edict confirmatory of the decrees of Ariminum. Menivolus, being
firmly attached to the Catholic Church, refused to write the
document, and the empress tried to bribe him by promises of greater
honors. He still, however, refused compliance, and, tearing off
his belt, he threw it at the feet of Justina, and declared that he
would neither retain his present office, nor accept of promotion, as
the reward of impiety. As he remained firm in his refusal, others
were intrusted with the compilation of the law. By this law, all who
conformed to the doctrines set forth at Ariminum and ratified at
Constantinople were exhorted to convene boldly; and it was enacted
that death should be the punishment of those who should hinder or be
running counter to this law of the emperor.
While the mother of the emperor was planning the means of carrying this
cruel law into execution, intelligence was brought of the murder of
Gratian, through the treachery of Andragathius, the general of
Maximus. Andragathius obtained possession of the imperial chariot,
and sent word to the emperor that his consort was traveling towards his
camp. Gratian, who was but recently married and youthful, as well as
passionately attached to his wife, hastened in cautiously across the
river, and in his anxiety to meet her fell without forethought into the
hands of Andragathius; he was seized, and, in a little while, put
to death. He was in the twenty fourth year of his age, and had
reigned fifteen years. This calamity quieted Justina's wrath against
Ambrose.
Maximus, in the meantime, raised a large army of Britons,
neighboring Gauls, Celts, and other nations, and marched into
Italy. The pretext which he advanced for this measure was, that he
desired to prevent the introduction of innovations in the ancient form
of religion and of ecclesiastical order; but he was in reality actuated
by the desire of dispelling any suspicion that might have been excited
as to his aspirations after tyranny. He was watching and intriguing
for the imperial rule in such a way that it might appear as if he had
acquired the Roman government by law, and not by force. Valentinian
was compelled by the exigencies of the times to recognize the symbols of
his rule; but soon after, in fear of suffering, fled with his mother
Justina, and Probus, the praetorian prefect in Italy, to
Thessalonica.
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