Editing Galla Placidia (section)

==Widow==
[[File:Honorius et Galla Placidia.JPG|thumb|left|Medallions of Honorius and Galla Placidia, Ravenna, 425]] 
According to [[Olympiodorus of Thebes]], a historian used as a source by [[Zosimus (historian)|Zosimus]], [[Sozomen]] and probably [[Philostorgius]], the public grew suspicious of the increasingly scandalous public caresses she was said to have received from her own brother Honorius after her husband's death. However, the siblings' relationship suddenly turned hostile, and around this time, she may have plotted against him. After her soldiers clashed with those of Honorius, Galla Placidia herself was now forced to flee to Constantinople with her children. Despite this setback, [[Bonifacius]], governor of the [[Diocese of Africa]] continued to be loyal to her.<ref>Olympiodorus Fragment 38–40</ref><ref>J. F. Matthews, "Olympiodorus of Thebes and the History of the West (A.D. 407–425)" ''The Journal of Roman Studies;'' '''60''' (1970:79–97)</ref><ref>{{Citation |chapter-url=http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/g/gibbon/edward/g43d/chapter33.html#fn33.2 |first=Edward |last=Gibbon |title=History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire |chapter=chapter 33.2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602121358/http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/g/gibbon/edward/g43d/chapter33.html#fn33.2 |archive-date=2 June 2008 }}</ref>

Placidia, Valentinian, and Honoria arrived in Constantinople around 422/423.{{sfn|Martindale|1980|p=889}} On 15 August 423, Honorius died of [[edema]], perhaps [[pulmonary edema]].<ref>{{Citation |chapter-url=http://www.roman-emperors.org/honorius.htm |first=Ralph W. |last=Mathisen |chapter=Honorius (395–423 A.D.) |editor-last=Weigel |editor-first=Richard D. |title=An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors}}</ref> 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 (ancient Rome)#Patrician families|Patrician]] proceeded to become a [[kingmaker]]. He declared [[Joannes]], the ''[[primicerius]] [[Notarius|notariorum]]'' "chief notary" (the head of the [[civil service]]), to be the new Western Roman Emperor. Among their supporters was [[Flavius Aetius]]. Joannes' rule was accepted in the provinces of [[Roman Italy|Italia]], [[Gaul]] and [[Hispania]], but not in the province of [[Africa (Roman province)|Africa]].<ref name="roman-emperors.org"/>

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.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{Citation |chapter-url=http://www.roman-emperors.org/valenIII.htm |first=Ralph W. |last=Mathisen |chapter=Valentinian III (425–455 A.D.) |editor-last=Weigel |editor-first=Richard D. |title=An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors}}</ref>

The campaign against Joannes also started in the same year. Forces of the [[Byzantine army|Eastern Roman army]] gathered at [[Thessaloniki]], and were placed under the general command of Ardaburius, who had served in 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. Along the way, Valentinian was proclaimed ''Caesar'' by [[Helion (magister officiorum)|Helion]], a ''magister officiorum'' under Theodosius in 23 October 424.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

Ardaburius and the infantry boarded ships of the [[Byzantine navy|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 [[galley]]s were captured by forces loyal to Joannes and were held prisoners in Ravenna.<ref name="roman-emperors.org"/> 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 [[Defection|defect]] to Theodosius' side. The conspirators contacted Aspar and beckoned him to Ravenna. A shepherd led Aspar's cavalry force through the [[marsh]]es of the [[Po (river)|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.<ref name="roman-emperors.org"/>

With Joannes dead, Valentinian was officially proclaimed the new Augustus of the Western Roman Empire on 23 October 425, by Helion, in the presence of the [[Roman Senate]], with Theodosius II's support. 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, Valentinian and Aetius came to an agreement and established peace. The Huns were paid off and sent home, while Aetius received the position of ''comes'' and ''[[magister militum]] per Gallias'' ([[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Roman army]] in Gaul).<ref name="roman-emperors.org"/><ref name="etext.library.adelaide.edu.au">{{Citation |chapter-url=http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/g/gibbon/edward/g43d/chapter33.html |first=Edward |last=Gibbon |title=History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire |chapter=chapter 33 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602121358/http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/g/gibbon/edward/g43d/chapter33.html |archive-date=2 June 2008 }}</ref>