Valentinian III definition of Valentinian III in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Valentinian III, 419–55, Roman emperor of the West (425–55). Two years after the death of his uncle, Honorius Honorius, 384–423, Roman emperor of the West (395–423). On the death (395) of Theodosius I, the Roman Empire was divided; Arcadius , the elder son, received the East, and Honorius, the younger son, received the West.
..... Click the link for more information. , he was placed on the throne by his cousin Theodosius II, who deposed the usurper John. Valentinian's mother, Galla Placidia Galla Placidia (găl`ə pləsĭd`ēə), c.388–450, Roman empress of the West, daughter of Theodosius I.
..... Click the link for more information. , was regent during his minority, but from 433 to 454 the general Aetius Aetius, c.396–454, Roman general. At first unfriendly to Valentinian III , he later made his peace with Valentinian's mother, Galla Placidia , and was given a command in Gaul.
..... Click the link for more information. was the actual ruler in the West. In Africa, Boniface Boniface (bŏn`əfās), d. 432, Roman general. He defended (413) Marseilles against the Visigoths under Ataulf.
..... Click the link for more information. was defeated (430) by the Vandals under Gaiseric Gaiseric (gī`sərĭk) or Genseric
..... Click the link for more information. ; by 442 Aetius was obliged to acknowledge Vandal independence. The empire was also disturbed by the war between Aetius and Boniface, by general barbarian unrest, and by peasant revolts. Valentinian proved an indolent and ineffectual ruler, although he supported the efforts of Pope Leo I (see Leo I, Saint Leo I, Saint (Saint Leo the Great), c.400–461, pope (440–61), an Italian; successor of St. Sixtus III. A Doctor of the Church, he was one of the greatest pontiffs of the early years of the church. He waged a firm campaign against schism and heresy.
..... Click the link for more information. ) to enforce ecclesiastical order in the West. The terrible invasions of the Huns under Attila Attila (ətĭl`ə, ăt`ələ), d. 453, king of the Huns (445–53).
..... Click the link for more information. began in 441; although defeated (451) in Gaul by Aetius, Attila briefly invaded N Italy in 452. In 454, Valentinian murdered Aetius, and shortly afterward Valentinian was himself assassinated. He was succeeded by Maximus.