ABSTRACT
Diocletian and Constantine had helped to save the Roman Empire from the chaos that had threatened to engulf it in the last half of the third century. They had single-mindedly mobilized Rome's diminishing resources for the supreme effort of self-preservation. After Constantine's death, bloody rivalries and power struggles soon erupted. Only two young nephews of Constantine survived the half brothers Gallus and Julian. After considerable further debate, the officers finally settled on a Christian officer ironically named Jovian. With the death of Jovian, the chief military officers and civilian officials chose Valentinian as the next emperor. When Valens died, the young Gratian was at a disadvantage. Gratian himself created a second colleague in 379 by recalling from exile the son of the Theodosius who had been unjustly executed three years previously after suppressing Firmus' revolt. Theodosius' health had been failing for some time, although he was only forty-eight. He died at Milan in early 395, five months after his victory.
