Galla Placidia Queen of the Visigoths Empress of the Roman Empire

• Preferred Name: Galla Placidia Queen of the Visigoths Empress of the Roman Empire^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}
  
• Gender: F
  
• Burial: 450 in Old St. Peter's Basilica, Holy See at LATI: N1.9022 LONG: E2.4534 with note: GEDCOM data
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Western Roman empress consort421
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Queen consort of the VisigothsBET 414 AND 415
  
• FSID: LZRD-G4S
  
• Death: 27 NOV 450 in Roma, Roman Empire at LATI: N1.9 LONG: E2.4833
  
• Birth: BET 388 AND 392 in Roman Empire at LATI: N1.9667 LONG: E2.6667
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  Wikipedia
  Galla Placidia (388-89 / 392-93 – 27 November 450), daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, was regent to Valentinian III from 423 until his majority in 437, and a major force in Roman politics for most of her life. She was queen consort to Ataulf, king of the Visigoths from 414 until his death in 415, and briefly empress consort to Constantius III in 421.
  
  Family
  Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla, who was herself daughter of Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina. Galla Placidia's date of birth is not recorded, but she must have been born either in the period AD388-89 or 392-93. Between these dates, her father was in Italy following his campaign against the usurper Magnus Maximus, while her mother remained in Constantinople. A surviving letter from Bishop Ambrose of Milan, dated AD390, refers to a younger son of Theodosius named Gratianus, who died in infancy; as Gratian must have been born in the period 388-89, it is most probable that Galla Placidia was born during the second period, AD392-93. Placidia's mother Galla died some time in AD394, perhaps giving birth to a stillborn son. Placidia was a younger, paternal half-sister of emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Her older half-sister Pulcheria predeceased her parents according to Gregory of Nyssa, placing the death of Pulcheria prior to the death of Aelia Flaccilla, the first wife of Theodosius I, in 385. Coins issued in Placidia's honur in Constantinople after AD425 give her name as AELIA PLACIDIA; this may have been intended to integrate Placidia with the eastern dynasty of Theodosius II. There is no evidence that the name Aelia was ever used in the west, or that it formed part of Placidia's official nomenclature...
  
  ...Prior to the fall of Rome, Placidia was captured by Alaric. She followed the Visigoths in their move from the Italian Peninsula to Gaul in 412. Their ruler Ataulf, having succeeded Alaric, entered an alliance with Honorius against Jovinus and Sebastianus, rival Western Roman emperors located in Gaul. He managed to defeat and execute both Gallo-Roman emperors in 413.
  
  After the heads of Sebastianus and Jovinus arrived at Honorius' court in Ravenna in late August, to be forwarded for display among other usurpers on the walls of Carthage, relations between Ataulf and Honorius improved sufficiently for Ataulf to cement them by marrying Galla Placidia at Narbonne on January 1, 414. The nuptials were celebrated with high Roman festivities and magnificent gifts. Priscus Attalus gave the wedding speech, a classical epithalamium. The marriage was recorded by Hydatius. The historian Jordanes states that they married earlier, in 411 at Forum Livii (Forlì). Jordanes's date may actually be when she and the Gothic king first became more than captor and captive.
  
  Placidia and Ataulf had a single known son, Theodosius. He was born in Barcelona by the end of 414. Theodosius died early in the following year, thus eliminating an opportunity for a Romano-Visigothic line. Years later the corpse was exhumed and reburied in the imperial mausoleum in Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. In Hispania, Ataulf imprudently accepted into his service a man identified as "Dubius" or "Eberwolf," a former follower of Sarus. Sarus was a Germanic chieftain who was killed while fighting under Jovinus and Sebastianus. His follower harbored a secret desire to avenge the death of his patron. And so, in the palace at Barcelona, the man brought Ataulf's reign to a sudden end by killing him while he bathed in August/September, 415.
  
  Second marriage
  According to the Chronicon Albeldense, included in the Códice de Roda, Wallia was desperate for food supplies. He surrendered to Constantius III, at the time magister militum of Honorius, negotiating terms giving foederati status for the Visigoths. Placidia was returned to Honorius as part of the peace treaty. Her brother Honorius forced her into marriage to Constantius III on January 1, 417. Their daughter Justa Grata Honoria was probably born in 417 or 418. The history of Paul the Deacon mentions her first among the children of the marriage, suggesting that she was the eldest. Their son Valentinian III was born July 2, 419.
  
  On 8 February 421, Constantius was proclaimed an Augustus, becoming co-ruler with the childless Honorius. Placidia was proclaimed an Augusta. She was the only Empress in the West, since Honorius had divorced his second wife Thermantia in 408 and had never remarried. Neither title was recognised by Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Constantius reportedly complained about the loss of personal freedom and privacy that came with the imperial office. He died of an illness on 2 September 421.
  
  === Wikipedia pt 2, cont'd from life sketch ===
  Aetius later played a pivotal role in the defense of the Western Empire against Attila. Attila was diverted from Constantinople towards Italy by a letter from Placidia's own daughter Justa Grata Honoria in the spring of 450, asking him to rescue her from an unwanted marriage to a Roman senator that the Imperial family, including Placidia, was trying to force upon her. Honoria included her engagement ring with the letter. Though Honoria may not have intended a proposal of marriage, Attila chose to interpret her message as such. He accepted, asking for half of the western Empire as dowry. When Valentinian discovered the plan, only the influence of Placidia persuaded him not to kill Honoria. Valentinian wrote to Attila denying the legitimacy of the supposed marriage proposal. Attila, unconvinced, sent an emissary to Ravenna to proclaim that Honoria was innocent, that the proposal had been legitimate, and that he would come to claim what was rightfully his. Honoria was quickly married to Flavius Bassus Herculanus, though this did not prevent Attila from pressing his claim.[36]
  
  Placidia died shortly afterwards at Rome, in November 450, and was buried in the Theodosian family mausoleum adjacent to Old St. Peter's Basilica, later the chapel of Saint Petronilla.[37] She did not live to see Attila ravage Italy in 451–453, using Justa's letter as his "legitimate" excuse.
  
  === http://www.juditapalace.com/en-us/interesting-facts/empress-galla-placidia ===
  EMPRESS AELIA GALLA PLACIDIA
  (around 390; died on November 27, 450)
  
  The daughter of Roman Emperor Theodosius I the Great, she was captured by the Visigoths of Alaric during the sack of Rome in 410 and abducted as hostage. She was married on January 1, 414, to Alaric’s heir Ataulf in Narbonne, southern Gaul. The son she bore died in his first year of life and was buried in Barcelona.
  
  After the assassination of Ataulf, she was returned to Ravenna in early 416, ransomed for 600,000 measures of grain. Here in January 417 she married the general Constantius, whom she bore a daughter Justa Grata Honoria and a son Placidius Valentinian (419).
  
  Her half-brother, Honorius, Emperor of the West, proclaimed Constantius his joint ruler in 421, while Placidius obtained the title of Augustus. But in the same year, Constantius died, and when her relations with her brother, as well as the whole situation in Ravenna, became dangerous, Galla and her children fled in spring 423 to Constantinople to the court of her nephew, Theodosius II.
  
  But Honorius died in the summer of the same year, and in Rome Joannes, previously primicerius notariorum (head of the civil service) became the new Roman emperor. Theodosius, however, supported the claim of his underage relative Valentinian, who was proclaimed Caesar in August 424 in Salonica. From here in the early spring of the following year a Byzantine fleet with troops commanded by Ardaburius set sail
  
  The ships carrying Placidia and her children were wrecked somewhere off the coast of Dalmatia. Out of gratitude for her salvation, Galla vowed to raise a church dedicated to St John the Evangelist, which she really did later build, together with her daughter. And while the Italian-bound army was mustering in Salonica, the most suitable base for interventions in the Adriatic basin, Galla and her children took up residence in Diocletian’s Palace, and waited the development of events in Ravenna.
  
  But by the following summer, from Aquileia she promulgated a constitution in the name of Augustus Theodosius and Caesar Valentinian.
  
  In autumn 425 the usurper Ioannes was arrested and executed. As early as October 23 of the same year, the six-year-old son of Galla was proclaimed Emperor Valentinian III, and Honoria, but a year older, became an Augusta. The mother took over the role of regent.
  
  Thus Galla spent a few summer months of 425 with her children in Split. The grave of some dignitary of her train (with valuable grave goods exhibited today in the Archaeological Museum in Split), placed before the threshold of the crypt of the Small Temple of Diocletian’s Place, as well as the eloquent epitaph mentioning a court lady from the Galla circle on a sarcophagus found in the Basilica of St Euphemia in front of the Golden Gate, tell us that the imperial family’s passage through Split left a profound mark.
  
  Indeed, judging from everything, Galla can be connected with the conversion of the Small Temple (most often called Jupiter’s Temple) into a Christian church dedicated to St John, which in the early Middle Ages became the baptistery of Split Cathedral. Thus it can be classified among the many other fulfilled vows (like the renovation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Basilica San Paolo furoi le mura in Rome, and the building of churches in Ravenna) made by this princess of the long face, dark eyes, in whom ran Roman and Illyrian, Hispanic and Gothic blood.
  
  === Alternate Birth ===
  385 Rome
  
  === Aelia Gala Placídia
  Nome: Gala Placídia
  ===
  Aelia Gala Placídia
  Nome: Gala Placídia
  NASCIMENTO: 360,,, Espanha [33984]
  MORTE: 27 Nov 450, Roma, Italia [33985]
  EVENTO: Notas: 410 [33988]
  EVENTO: Notas: [33989]
  EVENTO: Notas: 416 [33990] [33991]
  EVENTO: Notas: 425-440 [33992]
  
  Pai: Teodósio I A grande ou Flavius Teodósio DI ROMA
  Mãe: Galla Justina VALENTINIA
  
  Marido # 1: Alarico I DE Godos Abt 370 - 411
  CASAMENTO:
  
  Eu Theodorick DE Godos Abt 395 - 451
  
  Marido # 2: Ataulphus ou Atawulf DE visigodos 355 - 416
  CASAMENTO: 414, Narbonne, Aude, Languedoc, França [40714]
  
  + Clotilde de visigodos Abt 385 - ____
  
  Marido # 3: Constantius III DI ROMA Abt 340 - 421
  CASAMENTO: 417,,, Espanha [40877] [40878]
  
  + Flavius Valentinianus Valentiniano III DI ROMA 419 - 455
  Julia grata Honoria DI ROMA ____ - 454-455
  
  Aelia Gala Placídia
  Nome: Gala Placídia
  NASCIMENTO: 360,,, Espanha [33984]
  MORTE: 27 Nov 450, Roma, Italia [33985]
  EVENTO: Notas: 410 [33988]
  EVENTO: Notas: [33989]
  EVENTO: Notas: 416 [33990] [33991]
  EVENTO: Notas: 425-440 [33992]
  
  Pai: Teodósio I A grande ou Flavius Teodósio DI ROMA
  Mãe: Galla Justina VALENTINIA
  
  Marido # 1: Alarico I DE Godos Abt 370 - 411
  CASAMENTO:
  
  Eu Theodorick DE Godos Abt 395 - 451
  
  Marido # 2: Ataulphus ou Atawulf DE visigodos 355 - 416
  CASAMENTO: 414, Narbonne, Aude, Languedoc, França [40714]
  
  + Clotilde de visigodos Abt 385 - ____
  
  Marido # 3: Constantius III DI ROMA Abt 340 - 421
  CASAMENTO: 417,,, Espanha [40877] [40878]
  
  + Flavius Valentinianus Valentiniano III DI ROMA 419 - 455
  Julia grata Honoria DI ROMA ____ - 454-455
  
  === Galia/Galla Placidia ===
  Galla Placidia (388-89 / 392-93 – 27 November 450), daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, was regent to Valentinian III from 423 until his majority in 437, and a major force in Roman politics for most of her life. She was queen consort to Ataulf, king of the Visigoths from 414 until his death in 415, and briefly empress consort to Constantius III in 421.
  Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla,[1] who was herself daughter of Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina.[2] Galla Placidia's date of birth is not recorded, but she must have been born either in the period 388-89 or 392-93.[3] Between these dates, her father was in Italy following his campaign against the usurper Magnus Maximus, while her mother remained in Constantinople.[4] A surviving letter from Bishop Ambrose of Milan, dated 390, refers to a younger son of Theodosius named Gratianus, who died in infancy; as Gratian must have been born in the period 388-89, it is most probable that Galla Placidia was born during the second period, 392-93.[5][6] Placidia's mother Galla died some time in 394, perhaps giving birth to a stillborn son.[7] Placidia was a younger, paternal half-sister of emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Her older half-sister Pulcheria predeceased her parents according to Gregory of Nyssa, placing the death of Pulcheria prior to the death of Aelia Flaccilla, the first wife of Theodosius I, in 385.[8] Coins issued in Placidia's honour in Constantinople after 425 give her name as AELIA PLACIDIA; this may have been intended to integrate Placidia with the eastern dynasty of Theodosius II.[9] There is no evidence that the name Aelia was ever used in the west, or that it formed part of Placidia's official nomenclature.[10]
  
  Early life
  
  Placidia was granted her own household by her father in the early 390s and was thus financially independent while underage. She was summoned to the court of her father in Mediolanum (Milan) during 394,[11] and was present at Theodosius' death on January 17, 395. She was granted the title of "nobilissima puella" ("most noble girl") during her childhood.[12]
  
  Placidia spent most of her early years in the household of Stilicho and his wife, Serena. She is presumed to have learned weaving and embroidery. She might have also been given a classical education.[12] Serena was a first cousin of Arcadius, Honorius and Placidia. The poem "In Praise of Serena" by Claudian and the Historia Nova by Zosimus clarify that Serena's father was an elder Honorius, a brother to Theodosius I.[13][14] According to "De Consulatu Stilichonis" by Claudian, Placidia was betrothed to Eucherius, only known son of Stilicho and Serena. Her scheduled marriage is mentioned in the text as the third union between Stilicho's family and the Theodosian dynasty, following those of Stilicho to Serena and Maria, their daughter, to Honorius.[15]
  
  Stilicho was the magister militum of the Western Roman Empire. He was the only known person to hold the rank of "magister militum in praesenti" from 394 to 408 in both the Western and the Eastern Roman Empire. He was also titled "magister equitum et peditum" ("Master of the Horse and of Foot"), placing him in charge of both the cavalry and infantry forces of the Western Roman Empire.[16] In 408, Arcadius died and was succeeded by his son Theodosius II, only seven years old. Stilicho planned to proceed to Constantinople and "undertake the management of the affairs of Theodosius", convincing Honorius not to travel to the East himself. Shortly after, Olympius, 'Magister Scrinii', attempted to convince Honorius that Stilicho was in fact conspiring to depose Theodosius II, to replace him with Eucherius. Olympius proceeded to lead a military coup d'état which left him in control of Honorius and his court. Stilicho was arrested and executed on August 22, 408. Eucherius sought refuge in Rome but was arrested there and executed by the eunuchs Arsacius and Tarentius, on imperial orders. Honorius appointed Tarentius imperial chamberlain, and gave the next post under him to Arsacius.
  According to the Chronicon Albeldense, included in the Códice de Roda, Wallia was desperate for food supplies. He surrendered to Constantius III, at the time magister militum of Honorius, negotiating terms giving foederati status for the Visigoths. Placidia was returned to Honorius as part of the peace treaty.[20] Her brother Honorius forced her into marriage to Constantius III on January 1, 417.[12][22] Their daughter Justa Grata Honoria was probably born in 417 or 418. The history of Paul the Deacon mentions her first among the children of the marriage, suggesting that she was the eldest. Their son Valentinian III was born July 2, 419.[23]
  
  Placidia intervened in the succession crisis following the death of Pope Zosimus on December 26, 418. Two factions of the Roman clergy had proceeded to elect their own popes, the first electing Eulalius (December 27) and the other electing Boniface I (December 28). They acted as rival popes, both in Rome, and their factions plunged the city into tumult. Symmachus, Prefect of Rome, sent his report to the imperial court at Ravenna, requesting an imperial decision on the matter.[24] Placidia and, presumably, Constantius petitioned the emperor in favor of Eulalius.[12] This was arguably the first intervention by an Emperor in the Papal election.
  
  Honorius initially confirmed Eulalius as the legitimate pope. As this failed to put an end to the controversy, Honorius called a synod of Italian bishops at Ravenna to decide the matter. The synod met from February to March 419 but failed to reach a conclusion. Honorius called a second synod in May, this time including Gaulish and African bishops. In the meantime, the two rival popes were ordered to leave Rome. As Easter approached, however, Eulalius returned to the city and attempted to seize the Basilica of St. John Lateran in order to "preside at the paschal ceremonies". Imperial troops managed to repel him, and on Easter (March 30, 419) the ceremonies were led by Achilleus, Bishop of Spoleto. The conflict cost Eulalius the imperial favor, and Boniface was proclaimed the legitimate pope as of April 3, 419, returning to Rome a week later.[24] Placidia had personally written to the African bishops, summoning them to the second synod. Three of her letters are known to have survived.[12]
  
  On February 8, 421, Constantius was proclaimed an Augustus, becoming co-ruler with the childless Honorius. Placidia was proclaimed an Augusta. She was the only Empress in the West, since Honorius had divorced his second wife Thermantia in 408 and had never remarried. Neither title was recognised by Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Constantius reportedly complained about the loss of personal freedom and privacy that came with the imperial office. He died of an illness on September 2, 421.
  
  === Name Suffix: Of Rome ===
  Name Suffix: Of Rome
  
  === Wikipedia - pt 1 cont'd from life sketch ===
  summoning them to the second synod. Three of her letters are known to have survived.[12]
  
  On February 8, 421, Constantius was proclaimed an Augustus, becoming co-ruler with the childless Honorius. Placidia was proclaimed an Augusta. She was the only Empress in the West, since Honorius had divorced his second wife Thermantia in 408 and had never remarried. Neither title was recognised by Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Constantius reportedly complained about the loss of personal freedom and privacy that came with the imperial office. He died of an illness on September 2, 421.[25]
  
  Widow
  
  Medallions of Honorius and Galla Placidia, Ravenna, 425
  Galla Placidia herself was now forced from the Western Empire. Though the motivation for this remains unclear, the public issue was the increasingly scandalous public caresses she received from her own brother Honorius—this at least was the interpretation of Olympiodorus of Thebes, a historian used as a source by Zosimus, Sozomen and probably Philostorgius, as J.F. Matthews has postulated.[26] Gibbon had a different opinion: "The power of Placidia; and the indecent familiarity of her brother, which might be no more than the symptoms of a childish affection, were universally attributed to incestuous love."[27]
  
  According to Gibbon, "On a sudden, by some base intrigues of a steward and a nurse, this excessive fondness was converted into an irreconcilable quarrel: the debates of the emperor and his sister were not long confined within the walls of the palace; and as the Gothic soldiers adhered to their queen, the city of Ravenna was agitated with bloody and dangerous tumults, which could only be appeased by the forced or voluntary retreat of Placidia and her children. The royal exiles landed at Constantinople, soon after the marriage of Theodosius, during the festival of the Persian victories. They were treated with kindness and magnificence; but as the statues of the emperor Constantius had been rejected by the Eastern court, the title of Augusta could not decently be allowed to his widow."[28] The passage places the arrival of Placidia and her children after the marriage of Theodosius II to Aelia Eudocia, known to have occurred on June 7, 421.[29] The "Persian victories" mentioned were probably victory celebrations over the brief Roman–Sasanian War (421–422) under the respective leadership of Theodosius II and Bahram V of the Sasanian Empire.
  The general Ardaburius operated in Arzanene and gained a victory, autumn 421, which forced the Persians to retreat to Nisibis, which Ardaburius then besieged. He raised the siege on the arrival of an army under Bahram V, who proceeded to attack Resaina. Meanwhile the Saracens of Hira, under Al‑Mundhir, were sent to invade Syria, and were defeated by Vitianus. During the peace negotiations the Persians attacked the Romans and were defeated by Procopius, son-in‑law of Anthemius (Socrates, VII.18, 20). The Empress Eudocia celebrated the war in a poem in heroic metre (ib. 21)."[30]
  
  The "Saracens of Hira" were the Lakhmids of al-Hirah, a pre-Islamic Arab state that was located in what is now Iraq.
  
  On August 15, 423, Honorius died of edema, perhaps pulmonary edema.[31] With no member of the Theodosian dynasty present at Ravenna to claim the throne, Theodosius II was expected to nominate a Western co-emperor. However, Theodosius hesitated and the decision was delayed. Taking advantage of the power vacuum, Castinus the Patrician proceeded to become a kingmaker. He declared Joannes, the primicerius notariorum "chief notary" (the head of the civil service), to be the new Western Roman Emperor. Among their supporters was Flavius Aetius. Aetius was a son of Flavius Gaudentius, magister militum, and Aurelia. Joannes' rule was accepted in the provinces of Italia, Gaul and Hispania, but not in the province of Africa.[18]
  
  Theodosius II reacted by preparing Valentinian III for eventual promotion to the imperial office. In 423/424, Valentinian was named nobilissimus. In 424, Valentinian was betrothed to Licinia Eudoxia, his first cousin once removed. She was a daughter of Theodosius II and Aelia Eudocia. The year of their betrothal was recorded by Marcellinus Comes. At the time of their betrothal, Valentinian was approximately four years old, Licinia only two.[32] Gibbon attributes the betrothal to "the agreement of the three females who governed the Roman world", meaning Placidia and her nieces Eudocia and Pulcheria.[28] In the same year, Valentinian was proclaimed a Caesar in the Eastern court.[32]
  
  The campaign against Joannes also started in the same year. Forces of the Eastern Roman army gathered at Thessaloniki, and were placed under the general command of Ardaburius, the victorious general of the Roman-Persian War. The invasion force was to cross the Adriatic Sea by two routes. Aspar, son of Ardaburius, led the cavalry by land, following the coast of the Adriatic from the Western Balkans to Northern Italy. Placidia and Valentinian joined this force. Ardaburius and the infantry boarded ships of the Eastern Roman navy in an attempt to reach Ravenna by sea. Aspar marched his forces to Aquileia, taking the city by surprise and with virtually no resistance. The fleet, on the other hand, was dispersed by a storm. Ardaburius and two of his galleys were captured by forces loyal to Joannes and were held prisoners in Ravenna.[18][28]
  
  Ardaburius was treated well by Joannes, who probably intended to negotiate with Theodosius for an end to the hostilities. The prisoner was allowed the "courteous freedom" of walking the court and streets of Ravenna during his captivity. He took advantage of this privilege to come into contact with the forces of Joannes and convinced some of them to defect to Theodosius' side. The conspirators contacted Aspar and beckoned him to Ravenna. A shepherd led Aspar's cavalry force through the marshes of the Po to the gates of Ravenna; with the besiegers outside the walls and the defectors within, the city was quickly captured. Joannes was taken and his right hand cut off; he was then mounted on a donkey and paraded through the streets, and finally beheaded in the hippodrome of Aquileia.[18][28]
  
  With Joannes dead, Valentinian was officially proclaimed the new Augustus of the Western Roman Empire on October 23, 425, in the presence of the Roman Senate. Three days following Joannes' death, Aetius brought reinforcements for his army, a reported number of sixty thousand Huns from across the Danube. After some skirmishing, Placidia and Aetius came to an agreement that established the political landscape of the Western Roman Empire for the next thirty years. The Huns were paid off and sent home, while Aetius received the position of magister militum per Gallias (commander-in-chief of the Roman army in Gaul).[18][28]
  
  Regent
  
  Galla Placidia was regent of the Western Roman Empire from 425 to 437, her regency ending when Valentinian reached his eighteenth birthday on July 2, 437. Among her early supporters was Bonifacius, governor of the Diocese of Africa.[12][32] Aetius, his rival for influence, managed to secure Arles against Theodoric I of the Visigoths.[33] The Visigoths concluded a treaty and were given Gallic noblemen as hostages. The later Emperor Avitus visited Theodoric, lived at his court and taught his sons.[34]
  
  Conflict between Bonifacius and Aetius
  Conflict between Placidia and Bonifacius started in 429. Placidia appointed Bonifacius general of Libya. Procopius records that Aetius played the two against each other, warning Placidia against Bonifacius and advising her to recall him to Rome; simultaneously writing to Bonifacius, warning him that Placidia was about to summon him for no good reason in order to put him away.[35]
  
  Bonifacius, trusting the warning from Aetius, refused the summons; and, thinking his position untenable, sought an alliance with the Vandals in Spain. The Vandals subsequently crossed from Spain into Libya to join him. To friends of Bonifacius in Rome, this apparent act of hostility toward the Empire seemed entirely out of character for Bonifacius. They traveled to Carthage at Placidia's behest to intercede with him, and he showed them the letter from Aetius. The plot now revealed, his friends returned to Rome to apprise Placidia of the true situation. She did not move against Aetius, as he wielded great influence, and as the Empire was already in danger; but she urged Bonifacius to return to Rome "and not to permit the empire of the Romans to lie under the hand of barbarians."[35]
  
  Bonifacius now regretted his alliance with the Vandals and tried to persuade them to return to Spain. Gaiseric offered battle instead, and Bonifacius was besieged at Hippo Regius in Numidia by the sea. (Augustine of Hippo was its bishop and died in this siege.) Unable to take the city, the Vandals eventually raised the siege. The Romans, with reinforcements under Aspar, renewed the struggle but were routed and lost Africa to the Vandals.[35]
  
  Bonifacius had meanwhile returned to Rome, where Placidia raised him to the rank of patrician and made him "master-general of the Roman armies". Aetius returned from Gaul with an army of "barbarians", and was met by Bonifacius in the bloody Battle of Ravenna (432). Bonifacius won the battle, but was mortally wounded and died a few days later. Aetius was compelled to retire to Pannonia.[35]
  
  Rise of Aetius
  With the generals loyal to her having either died or defected to Aetius, Placidia acknowledged the inevitable: Aetius was recalled from exile in 433 and given the titles "magister militum" and "Patrician". The appointments effectively left Aetius in control of the entire Western Roman Army and gave him considerable influence over imperial policy. Placidia continued to act as regent until 437, though her direct influence over decisions was diminished. She would continue to exercise political influence until her death in 450.

• m. 417 in Roma, Italy, Roman Empire

1. Valentinian Emperor of Rome III, b. 2 JUL 419 in Ravenna, Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy     d. 16 MAR 455 in Roma, Lazio, Italy
2. Flavius Placidus Valentinianus Emperor of the Western Roman Empire III, b. 2 JUL 419 in Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Roman Empire     d. 16 MAR 455 in Campus Martius, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire

• m. 1 de enero de 0414 in Narbonne, Aude, Occitanie, Francia

1. Clothilde de Wisigothie, b. 404 in Europe     d. 470

1. Title: Find a Grave: Galla Placidia
   Publication: Name: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40213995;
   Note: Galla Placidia BIRTH 392 Istanbul, Turkey DEATH 27 Nov 450 (aged 57–58) Rome, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy BURIAL Mausoleo di Galla Placidia Ravenna, Provincia di Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy PLOT Between the sarcophagi of Constantius III and Valentinian III MEMORIAL ID 40213995 Roman Empress. She ruled the Roman Empire as regent in the early years of Valentinian III. She was born in 392 AD and was the daughter of the Emperor Theodosius I. While still a child she was given her own household and financial independence and was named "Noblissima Puella", meaning "Most Noble Child". She was captured by the Vsigoths during their sack of Rome in 410 AD and taken to Gaul where she was married to the Visigothic chieftain, Athaulf in 414 AD. When Athaulf died in 416 AD, she was returned to Rome to be married to the influential general Constantius III, with whom she had a son, the future Emperor Valentinian III. When Constantius was made co-Emperor in the West as Constsantius III she was declared "Augusta" at his side. She was forced to leave Rome when Constantius died seven months later and went to live with her nephew, the eastern Emperor, Theodosius II. She returned to Rome in 425 AD when her son Valentinian became Emperor in the west. Due to her son's youth she ruled as regent for the first twelve years of his reign and it was she who sent an army against the rebel Boniface, the Count of Africa. She was also responsible for many building projects, including the restoration of the Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls and additions to the Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalum. In addition she built the churches of the Holy Cross and St. John the Divine at Ravenna and the Church of St. Stephen at Rimini. Although her power reduced when Valentinian came of age, she continued to exert her influence until her death in 450 AD. Bio by: js [edited to improve legibility]
   
2. Title: Legacy NFS Source: Gala Placidia - Published information: birth-name: Gala Placidia
   Note: Published information: birth-name: Gala Placidia Published information: female
   Page: Migrated from user-supplied source citation: urn:familysearch:source:3247575676
   
3. Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy: GALLA PLACIDIA ([388/early May 394][80]-Rome 27 Nov 450)
   Publication: Name: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#GallaPlacidiadied450;
   Note: GALLA PLACIDIA ([388/early May 394]-Rome 27 Nov 450). Theophanes names "Placidia" as the daughter of "magnus Theodosius" and his second wife. Iordanes names "Placidiam" as the daughter of Emperor Theodosius & his second wife, recording in a later passage that she was captured by "Halaricus rex Vesegotharum" and later married his successor "Atauulfo." The Chronicle of Marcellinus also records that "Placidia Honorii principis sorore" was abducted by "Halaricus" and later married "Athaulfo propinquo suo." Olympiodorus Thebæus records that Ataulf married “Placidia” during the month of January “in Narbone, Galliæ urbe.” The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that “Ataulfus” married “Placidiam” at Narbonne in 414. Her first husband married her after failing to establish an alliance with Emperor Honorius. As part of the peace negotiated by King Walia with the Romans in 416, Galla Placidia was returned to her brother Honorius in early 416. The Chronicon Albeldense names “Ballia” as successor of “Sigericus,” adding that he made peace with Emperor Honorius and returned his sister Placidia to him. Iordanes records the marriage of "Constantio patricio" and Placidia after the latter was returned to Rome by Walia King of the Visigoths. Iordanes records that Placidia was created "Augustam" and her son Valentinian "Cæsar" to lead the opposition to Iohannes who invaded the western empire. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records the death in 450 of “Valentiniani Imperatoris mater Placidia…apud Romam.” m firstly (Narbonne Jan 414) as his second wife, ATAULF King of the Visigoths, son of --- (-murdered Barcelona [Aug/Sep] 416). m secondly (1 Jan 417) FLAVIUS CONSTANTIUS, son of --- (-2 Sep 421). He succeeded 8 Feb 421 as Emperor CONSTANTIUS III.
   
4. Title: The Historiani's Hut - The Crazy Life of the Roman Princess Galla Placidia
   Author: Sources: Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations by Norman Davies. New York: Viking (Penguin Group), 2011. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aelia-Galla-Placidia https://www.roman-emperors.org/galla.htm https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/galla-placidia/empress-galla-placidia-romes-champion-christianity/ https://www.ancient.eu/timeline/Vandals/ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-Roman-emperor https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodosius-II https://www.britannica.com/biography/Valentinian-III
   Publication: Name: https://thehistorianshut.com/2018/01/04/the-crazy-life-of-the-roman-princess-galla-placidia/;
   Note: Galla Placidia and her eventful life perfectly showcased the hectic state of affairs that the Western Roman Empire found itself enduring (and eventually collapsing from) during the 5th century. She was a daughter of Emperor Theodosius I (r. 379-395) and Empress Galla. Upon Theodosius’ death, two of Galla Placidia’s brothers were crowned as emperors, one to rule the East and another to control the West. Galla Placidia, herself, was left to the care of the powerful general Stilicho (or more specifically, his wife, Serena), under whose direction she learned Latin and Greek, as well as other subjects that women of the time were expected to be know, such as sewing and weaving. The young princess stayed in the Western Empire during the reign of her brother, Emperor Honorius (r. 393-423), mostly residing in the city of Rome. Yet times were not easy—for various reasons (but mostly because of pressure from the Huns) a large coalition of peoples, including the Vandals, Suevi and Alans, crossed the Rhine into Roman Gaul in 406, throwing the empire into chaos. A former Roman mercenary named Alaric brought the havoc straight to the heart of the Western Empire. After becoming king of the Visigoths, Alaric eventually led his people to besiege Rome. He arrived at the city walls first in 408, but was paid off by the Roman Senate. He attacked again in 409, but was once more convinced to withdraw from the city. Finally, in 410, King Alaric and the Visigoths besieged Rome for one last time, with no intention of withdrawing from the city. Instead, they looted the city for three days, stealing wealth and harassing the locals, but keeping most of the city remarkably intact. Around this time, or perhaps during the earlier sieges, the Visigoths captured Galla Placidia. King Alaric hoped he could use the princess as leverage in his negotiations with Emperor Honorius. Alaric, however, had miscalculated—Honorius and Galla Placidia were not friendly siblings. Instead, when King Alaric died of an illness later in 410, Galla Placidia was still being hauled around by the Visigoths as an unusable bargaining chip. Alaric’s successor, Ataulf (also spelled Athaulf), realigned the Visigoths as an ally of Rome and moved his people to Gaul and Spain to help defend the empire against the Vandals, Suevi and Alans, as well as to gain land for his own people in that region. Ataulf evidently took an interest in his captive, Galla Placidia (or at least her potential power as royalty), and married her around 414. Yet, the princess’ time as Queen of the Visigoths was short lived—Ataulf was assassinated in 415 and her only son with the Visigoth king died in infancy. By 416, the Visigoths had shipped Galla Placidia back to her estranged brother, Emperor Honorius. He quickly married her off, in 417, to one of his generals by the name of Constantius. Many historians doubt that Galla Placidia approved of the hasty union, but nevertheless, she and Constantius had at least two children—a daughter named Justa Greta Honoria and a son who would later become Emperor Valentinian III (r. 425-455). Galla Placidia’s marriage to Constantius brought her to a position of power. Her husband was named a co-emperor alongside (or more likely underneath) Honorius in 421, elevating Galla Placidia to the rank of empress. Emperor Constantius III, however, died before the year’s end. Even though Honorius favored Constantius enough to name him a co-emperor, he still had a feud with his sister, the empress. As such, following Constantius’ death in 221, Galla Placidia fled from her brother to the Eastern Roman Empire and took refuge in Constantinople with her nephew and Eastern Roman Emperor, Theodosius II (r. 402-450). Galla Placidia waited in the safety of Constantinople until Emperor Honorius died in 423. Before she could install Valentinian on the throne, an opportunist named Johannes (or John) seized Rome for about two years. By 425, however, Galla Placidia and her allies succeeded in ousting Johannes and naming Valentinian III as the rightful emperor. The newly enthroned emperor, however, was too young to rule on his own, so Galla Placidia stepped in as regent ruler of the Western Empire. She ruled for around twelve years, until 437, spending most of that time dealing with ambitious generals and governors. The most notable of these were Count Boniface, Felix and Flavius Aetius. The latter of which was the man who won the most influence with the empress and her son. Empress Galla Placidia died in 450 after living a dramatic life that alternated between waves of powerlessness and strength. Her son, Emperor Valentinian III, would only survive her by five years. The formerly mentioned Flavius Aetius remained the emperor’s right-hand-man until 454, when the emperor personally strangled the man on suspicions of treason. Unfortunately for the emperor, Aetius had a loyal following. Two comrades of Aetius (named Optila and Thraustila) hunted down the emperor in 455 and killed the young ruler. Written by C. Keith Hansley. Picture attribution: (Supposed miniature of Galla Placidia on top of a destroyed city painted by Thomas Cole (1801–1848), both [Public Domain] via Creative Commons).
   
5. Title: Legacy NFS Source: Galla Placidia - birth-name: Galla Placidia
   Author: Ancestry Family Trees, Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members., Page number: Ancestry Family Trees
   Note: birth-name: Galla Placidia This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.
   Page: Migrated from user-supplied source citation: urn:familysearch:source:2809301001
   
6. Title: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gala_Placidia
   Publication: Name: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gala_Placidia;
   
7. Title: Wikiwand: Galla Placidia
   Author: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
   Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Galla_Placidia;
   Note: Galla Placidia (388-89 / 392-93 – 27 November 450), daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, was regent to Valentinian III from 423 until his majority in 437, and a major force in Roman politics for most of her life. She was queen consort to Ataulf, king of the Visigoths from 414 until his death in 415, and briefly empress consort to Constantius III in 421. Family Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla, who was herself daughter of Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina. Galla Placidia's date of birth is not recorded, but she must have been born either in the period AD388-89 or 392-93. Between these dates, her father was in Italy following his campaign against the usurper Magnus Maximus, while her mother remained in Constantinople. A surviving letter from Bishop Ambrose of Milan, dated AD390, refers to a younger son of Theodosius named Gratianus, who died in infancy; as Gratian must have been born in the period 388-89, it is most probable that Galla Placidia was born during the second period, AD392-93. Placidia's mother Galla died some time in AD394, perhaps giving birth to a stillborn son. Placidia was a younger, paternal half-sister of emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Her older half-sister Pulcheria predeceased her parents according to Gregory of Nyssa, placing the death of Pulcheria prior to the death of Aelia Flaccilla, the first wife of Theodosius I, in 385. Coins issued in Placidia's honur in Constantinople after AD425 give her name as AELIA PLACIDIA; this may have been intended to integrate Placidia with the eastern dynasty of Theodosius II. There is no evidence that the name Aelia was ever used in the west, or that it formed part of Placidia's official nomenclature. Early life Placidia was granted her own household by her father in the early 390s and was thus financially independent while underage. She was summoned to the court of her father in Mediolanum (Milan) during 394, and was present at Theodosius' death on January 17, 395. She was granted the title of "nobilissima puella" ("most noble girl") during her childhood. Placidia spent most of her early years in the household of Stilicho and his wife, Serena. She is presumed to have learned weaving and embroidery. She might have also been given a classical education. Serena was a first cousin of Arcadius, Honorius and Placidia. The poem "In Praise of Serena" by Claudian and the Historia Nova by Zosimus clarify that Serena's father was an elder Honorius, a brother to Theodosius I. According to "De Consulatu Stilichonis" by Claudian, Placidia was betrothed to Eucherius, only known son of Stilicho and Serena. Her scheduled marriage is mentioned in the text as the third union between Stilicho's family and the Theodosian dynasty, following those of Stilicho to Serena and Maria, their daughter, to Honorius. Stilicho was the magister militum of the Western Roman Empire. He was the only known person to hold the rank of "magister militum in praesenti" from 394 to 408 in both the Western and the Eastern Roman Empire. He was also titled "magister equitum et peditum" ("Master of the Horse and of Foot"), placing him in charge of both the cavalry and infantry forces of the Western Roman Empire. In 408, Arcadius died and was succeeded by his son Theodosius II, only seven years old. Stilicho planned to proceed to Constantinople and "undertake the management of the affairs of Theodosius", convincing Honorius not to travel to the East himself. Shortly after, Olympius, 'Magister Scrinii', attempted to convince Honorius that Stilicho was in fact conspiring to depose Theodosius II, to replace him with Eucherius. Olympius proceeded to lead a military coup d'état which left him in control of Honorius and his court. Stilicho was arrested and executed on August 22, 408. Eucherius sought refuge in Rome but was arrested there and executed by the eunuchs Arsacius and Tarentius, on imperial orders. Honorius appointed Tarentius imperial chamberlain, and gave the next post under him to Arsacius. First marriage In the disturbances that followed the fall of Stilicho, the wives and children of the foederati living in the cities of Italy were slain. Most of the foederati, who were considered loyalists of Stilicho, joined the forces of Alaric I, King of the Visigoths. Alaric led them to Rome and began a blockade of the city, which was under siege, with minor interruptions, from autumn 408 to August 24, 410. Zosimus records that Placidia was within the city during the siege. When Serena was accused of conspiring with Alaric, "the whole senate therefore, with Placidia, uterine sister to the emperor, thought it proper that she should suffer death." Prior to the fall of Rome, Placidia was captured by Alaric. She followed the Visigoths in their move from the Italian Peninsula to Gaul in 412. Their ruler Ataulf, having succeeded Alaric, entered an alliance with Honorius against Jovinus and Sebastianus, rival Western Roman emperors located in Gaul. He managed to defeat and execute both Gallo-Roman emperors in 413. After the heads of Sebastianus and Jovinus arrived at Honorius' court in Ravenna in late August, to be forwarded for display among other usurpers on the walls of Carthage, relations between Ataulf and Honorius improved sufficiently for Ataulf to cement them by marrying Galla Placidia at Narbonne on January 1, 414. The nuptials were celebrated with high Roman festivities and magnificent gifts. Priscus Attalus gave the wedding speech, a classical epithalamium. The marriage was recorded by Hydatius. The historian Jordanes states that they married earlier, in 411 at Forum Livii (Forlì). Jordanes's date may actually be when she and the Gothic king first became more than captor and captive. Placidia and Ataulf had a single known son, Theodosius. He was born in Barcelona by the end of 414. Theodosius died early in the following year, thus eliminating an opportunity for a Romano-Visigothic line. Years later the corpse was exhumed and reburied in the imperial mausoleum in Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. In Hispania, Ataulf imprudently accepted into his service a man identified as "Dubius" or "Eberwolf," a former follower of Sarus. Sarus was a Germanic chieftain who was killed while fighting under Jovinus and Sebastianus. His follower harbored a secret desire to avenge the death of his patron. And so, in the palace at Barcelona, the man brought Ataulf's reign to a sudden end by killing him while he bathed in August/September, 415. The Amali faction proceeded to proclaim Sigeric, a brother of Sarus, as the next king of the Visigoths. According to "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," by Edward Gibbon, the first act of Sigeric's reign "was the inhuman murder" of Ataulf's six children from a former marriage "whom he tore, without pity, from the feeble arms of a venerable bishop" (Sigesar, bishop of the Goths). As for Galla Placidia, as Ataulf's widow, she was "treated with cruel and wanton insult" by being forced to walk more than twelve miles on foot among the crowd of captives driven ahead of the mounted Sigeric. Seeing the noble widow's sufferings, however, became one of the factors that roused indignant opponents of the usurper, who quickly assassinated Sigeric and replaced him with Wallia, Ataulf's relative. Second marriage According to the Chronicon Albeldense, included in the Códice de Roda, Wallia was desperate for food supplies. He surrendered to Constantius III, at the time magister militum of Honorius, negotiating terms giving foederati status for the Visigoths. Placidia was returned to Honorius as part of the peace treaty. Her brother Honorius forced her into marriage to Constantius III on January 1, 417. Their daughter Justa Grata Honoria was probably born in 417 or 418. The history of Paul the Deacon mentions her first among the children of the marriage, suggesting that she was the eldest. Their son Valentinian III was born July 2, 419. Placidia intervened in the succession crisis following the death of Pope Zosimus on December 26, 418. Two factions of the Roman clergy had proceeded to elect their own popes, the first electing Eulalius (December 27) and the other electing Boniface I (December 28). They acted as rival popes, both in Rome, and their factions plunged the city into tumult. Symmachus, Prefect of Rome, sent his report to the imperial court at Ravenna, requesting an imperial decision on the matter. Placidia and, presumably, Constantius petitioned the emperor in favor of Eulalius. This was arguably the first intervention by an Emperor in the Papal election. Honorius initially confirmed Eulalius as the legitimate pope. As this failed to put an end to the controversy, Honorius called a synod of Italian bishops at Ravenna to decide the matter. The synod met from February to March 419 but failed to reach a conclusion. Honorius called a second synod in May, this time including Gaulish and African bishops. In the meantime, the two rival popes were ordered to leave Rome. As Easter approached, however, Eulalius returned to the city and attempted to seize the Basilica of St. John Lateran in order to "preside at the paschal ceremonies." Imperial troops managed to repel him, and on Easter (March 30, 419) the ceremonies were led by Achilleus, Bishop of Spoleto. The conflict cost Eulalius the imperial favor, and Boniface was proclaimed the legitimate pope as of April 3, 419, returning to Rome a week later. Placidia had personally written to the African bishops, summoning them to the second synod. Three of her letters are known to have survived. On February 8, 421, Constantius was proclaimed an Augustus, becoming co-ruler with the childless Honorius. Placidia was proclaimed an Augusta. She was the only Empress in the West, since Honorius had divorced his second wife Thermantia in 408 and had never remarried. Neither title was recognized by Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Constantius reportedly complained abo..
   
8. Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
   Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#GallaPlacidiadied450;
   Note: Emperor Theodosius & his second wife had one child: iii) GALLA PLACIDIA ([388/early May 394][80]-Rome 27 Nov 450). Theophanes names "Placidia" as the daughter of "magnus Theodosius" and his second wife[81]. Iordanes names "Placidiam" as the daughter of Emperor Theodosius & his second wife, recording in a later passage that she was captured by "Halaricus rex Vesegotharum" and later married his successor "Atauulfo"[82]. The Chronicle of Marcellinus also records that "Placidia Honorii principis sorore" was abducted by "Halaricus" and later married "Athaulfo propinquo suo"[83]. Olympiodorus Thebæus records that Ataulf married “Placidia” during the month of January “in Narbone, Galliæ urbe”[84]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that “Ataulfus” married “Placidiam” at Narbonne in 414[85]. Her first husband married her after failing to establish an alliance with Emperor Honorius[86]. As part of the peace negotiated by King Walia with the Romans in 416, Galla Placidia was returned to her brother Honorius in early 416[87]. The Chronicon Albeldense names “Ballia” as successor of “Sigericus”, adding that he made peace with Emperor Honorius and returned his sister Placidia to him[88]. Iordanes records the marriage of "Constantio patricio" and Placidia after the latter was returned to Rome by Walia King of the Visigoths[89]. Iordanes records that Placidia was created "Augustam" and her son Valentinian "Cæsar" to lead the opposition to Iohannes who invaded the western empire[90]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records the death in 450 of “Valentiniani Imperatoris mater Placidia…apud Romam”[91]. m firstly (Narbonne Jan 414) as his second wife, ATAULF King of the Visigoths, son of --- (-murdered Barcelona [Aug/Sep] 416). m secondly (1 Jan 417) FLAVIUS CONSTANTIUS, son of --- (-2 Sep 421). He succeeded 8 Feb 421 as Emperor CONSTANTIUS III.
   
9. Title: Wikipedia - Aelia Galla Placidia
   Author: Grierson, Philip; Mays, Melinda (1992). Catalogue of Late Roman Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. Honore, Tony (1998). Law in the Crisis of Empire, 379–455 AD. Oxford University Press. Martindale, J.R. (1980). The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 2, AD 395–527. Vol. II. Cambridge University Press. Moorhead, Sam; Stuttard, David (2010). AD 410: The Year that Shook Rome. The British Museum Press. Riess, Frank (2016). Narbonne and its Territory in Late Antiquity: From the Visigoths to the Arabs. Routledge. Gibbon, Edward, "chapter 33", History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, archived from the original on 14 September 2004 Weigel, Richard D. (ed.), An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors
   Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galla_Placidia;
   Note: Galla Placidia (388–89/392–93 – 27 November 450), daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, was a mother, tutor, and advisor to emperor Valentinian III, and a major force in Roman politics for most of her life. She was queen consort to Ataulf, king of the Visigoths from 414 until his death in 415, briefly empress consort to Constantius III in 421, and managed the government administration as a regent during the early reign of Valentinian III, until her death. Galla Placidia Augusta, Roman empress Tenure 421 Born 388–89 or 392–93 Died 27 November 450 (aged 57–62) Burial Rome (she is not buried in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna) Spouse Ataulf, King of the Visigoths Constantius III, Roman emperor Issue Theodosius Justa Grata Honoria Valentinian III Dynasty Theodosian Father Theodosius I Mother Galla Religion Nicene Christianity Family Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla, who was herself daughter of Valentinian I and his second wife, Justina. Galla Placidia's date of birth is not recorded, but she must have been born either in the period 388–89 or 392–93. Between these dates, her father was in Italy following his campaign against the usurper Magnus Maximus, while her mother remained in Constantinople. A surviving letter from Bishop Ambrose of Milan, dated 390, refers to a younger son of Theodosius named Gratianus, who died in infancy; as Gratian must have been born in the period 388–89, it is most probable that Galla Placidia was born during the second period, 392–93. Placidia's mother Galla died some time in 394, perhaps giving birth to a stillborn son. Placidia was a younger, paternal half-sister of emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Her older half-sister Pulcheria predeceased her parents according to Gregory of Nyssa, placing the death of Pulcheria prior to the death of Aelia Flaccilla, the first wife of Theodosius I, in 385. Coins issued in Placidia's honour in Constantinople after 425 give her name as AELIA PLACIDIA; this may have been intended to integrate Placidia with the eastern dynasty of Theodosius II. There is no evidence that the name Aelia was ever used in the west, or that it formed part of Placidia's official nomenclature. Early life Placidia was granted her own household by her father in the early 390s and was thus financially independent while underage. She was summoned to the court of her father in Mediolanum (Milan) during 394, and was present at Theodosius' death on 17 January 395. She was granted the title of "nobilissima puella" ("most noble girl") during her childhood. Placidia spent most of her early years in the household of Stilicho and his wife, Serena. She is presumed to have learned weaving and embroidery. She might have also been given a classical education. Serena was a first cousin of Arcadius, Honorius and Placidia. The poem "In Praise of Serena" by Claudian and the Historia Nova by Zosimus clarify that Serena's father was an elder Honorius, a brother to Theodosius I. According to "De Consulatu Stilichonis" by Claudian, Placidia was betrothed to Eucherius, only known son of Stilicho and Serena. Her scheduled marriage is mentioned in the text as the third union between Stilicho's family and the Theodosian dynasty, following those of Stilicho to Serena and Maria, their daughter, to Honorius. Stilicho was the magister militum of the Western Roman Empire. He was the only known person to hold the rank of "magister militum in praesenti" from 394 to 408 in both the Western and the Eastern Roman Empire. He was also titled "magister equitum et peditum" ("Master of the Horse and of Foot"), placing him in charge of both the cavalry and infantry forces of the Western Roman Empire. In 408, Arcadius died and was succeeded by his son Theodosius II, only seven years old. Stilicho planned to proceed to Constantinople and "undertake the management of the affairs of Theodosius", convincing Honorius not to travel to the East himself. Shortly after, Olympius, 'Magister Scrinii', attempted to convince Honorius that Stilicho was in fact conspiring to depose Theodosius II, to replace him with Eucherius. Olympius proceeded to lead a military coup d'état which left him in control of Honorius and his court. Stilicho was arrested and executed on 22 August 408. Eucherius sought refuge in Rome but was arrested there and executed by the eunuchs Arsacius and Tarentius, on imperial orders. Honorius appointed Tarentius imperial chamberlain, and gave the next post under him to Arsacius. First marriage Coin of 422 In the disturbances that followed the fall of Stilicho, wives and children of foederati living in the cities of Italy were killed.[better source needed] Most of the foederati, regarded as loyal to Stilicho, joined the forces of Alaric I, King of the Visigoths. Alaric led them to Rome and put it under siege, with minor interruptions, from autumn 408 to 24 August 410. Zosimus records that Placidia was within the city during the siege. When Serena was accused of conspiring with Alaric, "the whole senate therefore, with Placidia, uterine sister to the emperor, thought it proper that she should suffer death". Placidia was captured by Alaric before the fall of Rome, and accompanied the Visigoths from Italy to Gaul in 412. Their ruler Ataulf, having succeeded Alaric, entered an alliance with Honorius against Jovinus and Sebastianus, rival Western Roman emperors located in Gaul, and managed to defeat and execute both in 413. After the heads of Sebastianus and Jovinus arrived at Honorius' court in Ravenna in late August, to be forwarded for display among other usurpers on the walls of Carthage, relations between Ataulf and Honorius improved sufficiently for Ataulf to cement them by marrying Galla Placidia at Narbonne on 1 January 414. The nuptials were celebrated with high Roman festivities and magnificent gifts. Priscus Attalus gave the wedding speech, a classical epithalamium. The marriage was recorded by Hydatius and Jordanes, although the latter states that it was earlier, in 411 at Forum Livii (Forlì) (possibly a more informal event). Placidia and Ataulf had one son, Theodosius, born in Barcelona by the end of 414, but the child died early in the following year, eliminating an opportunity for a Romano-Visigothic line; years later the corpse was exhumed and reburied in the imperial mausoleum in Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. In Hispania, Ataulf imprudently accepted into his service a man identified as "Dubius" or "Eberwolf", a former follower of Sarus. Sarus had been a Germanic chieftain killed while fighting under Jovinus and Sebastianus, and his follower harbored a secret desire to avenge the death of his patron. In August/September, 415, in the palace at Barcelona, the man brought Ataulf's reign to a sudden end by killing him while he bathed. Second Marriage According to the Chronicon Albeldense, included in the Códice de Roda, Wallia was desperate for food supplies. He surrendered to Constantius III, at the time magister militum of Honorius, negotiating terms giving foederati status for the Visigoths. Placidia was returned to Honorius as part of the peace treaty. Her brother Honorius forced her into marriage to Constantius III on 1 January 417. Their daughter Justa Grata Honoria was probably born in 417 or 418. The history of Paul the Deacon mentions her first among the children of the marriage, suggesting that she was the eldest. Their son Valentinian III was born 2 July 419. On 8 February 421, Constantius was proclaimed an Augustus, becoming co-ruler with the childless Honorius. Placidia was proclaimed an Augusta. She was the only Empress in the West, since Honorius had divorced his second wife Thermantia in 408 and had never remarried. Neither title was recognised by Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Constantius reportedly complained about the loss of personal freedom and privacy that came with the imperial office. He died of an illness on 2 September 421. article continues -her widowhood and regency.....