Flavius Valentinianus
(ad 371 - ad 392)
瓦伦提尼安二世于公元371年出生于特雷维里，是瓦伦提尼安和贾斯蒂纳的儿子，是格拉蒂安的同父异母兄弟。
公元375年瓦伦提尼安去世后，格拉蒂安成为西方唯一的皇帝。 但在短短五天内，当时只有四岁的瓦伦提尼安二世就在阿金库姆被多瑙河军团誉为皇帝。 这是由于多瑙河军团和莱茵河上的军团之间存在激烈的竞争，感觉德国军团有太多的发言权，这是多瑙河力量的展示。
虽然格拉蒂昂接受了他的弟弟作为共同统治者，一场严重的危机得以避免。 认识到四岁的瓦伦蒂尼安二世在这些事件中是无辜的，格拉蒂昂并没有生气，仍然对这个孩子很友好，监督他的教育，并至少在理论上将意大利、非洲和潘诺尼亚的统治权分配给他。
当瓦伦斯在阿德里安诺普尔的灾难性战役中遭遇灭顶之灾时，瓦伦蒂尼安二世还是个年幼的孩子，远不足以扮演任何角色。 甚至当马格努斯-马克西姆斯在不列颠起义和格拉西安被暗杀时，瓦伦蒂尼安二世也只有8岁。
东部的皇帝现在以他自己和瓦伦丁尼安二世的名义与马格努斯-马克西姆斯进行了和平谈判。 根据这项协议，马克西姆斯控制了西部，但瓦伦丁尼安二世的意大利、非洲和潘诺尼亚领地除外。
在这段和平时期，西方经历了非常宽容和宽松的宗教政策。 担任要职的主要异教元老们确保不采取激烈的措施来强制推行基督教。
但这种脆弱的和平不会持久，它只能让马克西姆斯在寻求为自己攫取更多权力之前加强自己的地位。
于是在公元387年夏天，马克西姆斯入侵意大利，没有遇到什么抵抗。 瓦伦丁尼安二世带着他的母亲贾斯提娜逃到东部的狄奥多西。
狄奥多西在公元388年对这个篡位者采取了行动，击败、俘虏并处决了他。 狄奥多西不喜欢瓦伦提尼安二世对异教徒的宽容，那么他还是恢复了他的西方皇帝身份。 虽然瓦伦提尼安二世的权力在很大程度上仍然是理论上的，因为狄奥多西一直在意大利呆到公元391年，很可能是为了震慑任何其他潜在的叛乱。因此，瓦伦蒂尼安二世的有限权力只真正影响到高卢，而其他地区仍在东部皇帝的统治之下。
但就在狄奥多西在意大利的时候，应该扳倒瓦伦提尼安二世的人出现了。 阿尔博加斯特，这个盛气凌人的法兰克人 "士兵的主人 "的影响力越来越大，成为瓦伦提尼安二世王位背后的力量。狄奥多西一定认为他是协助年轻的西方皇帝统治其一半帝国的一双安全的手，因为他在离开时把他留在原地。最后于公元391年启程前往东方。
但飞扬跋扈的阿尔博加斯特很快就开始让瓦伦蒂尼安二世担心了。 阿尔博加斯特觉得自己现在已经无敌了，以至于他可以公开违抗自己的皇帝。
See_also: 卡斯托尔和波卢克斯：共享不朽的双胞胎 罢免未遂后不久，瓦伦蒂尼安二世被发现于公元392年5月15日死在他在维也纳（高卢）的宫殿里。
See_also: 罗马角斗士：士兵和超级英雄 他有可能是自杀，但一般认为皇帝是代表阿尔博加斯特被谋杀的。
阅读更多：
戴克里先皇帝
阿卡迪亚斯皇帝
James Miller
James Miller is an acclaimed historian and author with a passion for exploring the vast tapestry of human history. With a degree in History from a prestigious university, James has spent the majority of his career delving into the annals of the past, eagerly uncovering the stories that have shaped our world. His insatiable curiosity and deep appreciation for diverse cultures have taken him to countless archaeological sites, ancient ruins, and libraries across the globe. Combining meticulous research with a captivating writing style, James has a unique ability to transport readers through time. James' blog, The History of the World, showcases his expertise in a wide range of topics, from the grand narratives of civilizations to the untold stories of individuals who have left their mark on history. His blog serves as a virtual hub for history enthusiasts, where they can immerse themselves in thrilling accounts of wars, revolutions, scientific discoveries, and cultural revolutions.Beyond his blog, James has also authored several acclaimed books, including From Civilizations to Empires: Unveiling the Rise and Fall of Ancient Powers and Unsung Heroes: The Forgotten Figures Who Changed History. With an engaging and accessible writing style, he has successfully brought history to life for readers of all backgrounds and ages.James' passion for history extends beyond the writtenword. He regularly participates in academic conferences, where he shares his research and engages in thought-provoking discussions with fellow historians. Recognized for his expertise, James has also been featured as a guest speaker on various podcasts and radio shows, further spreading his love for the subject.When he's not immersed in his historical investigations, James can be found exploring art galleries, hiking in picturesque landscapes, or indulging in culinary delights from different corners of the globe. He firmly believes that understanding the history of our world enriches our present, and he strives to ignite that same curiosity and appreciation in others through his captivating blog.
