--- title: Galla Placidia author: Donald L. Wasson source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2024-06-27 --- # Galla Placidia _Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_ Galla Placidia (388-450 CE), the future empress, was the half-sister of the Westen [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) Flavius Honorius (r. 395-423 CE), and the daughter of Theodosius the Great (r. 379-395 CE). She was taken hostage by [Alaric](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alaric/) during the [sack of Rome 410 CE](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1449/sack-of-rome-410-ce/). After returning to [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/), she became regent for her young son, Honorius' heir, Valentinian III. ### Family Aelia Galla Placidia was born in 388 CE to the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) emperor Theodosius I and his second wife Galla, sister of the emperor Valentinian II (375-392 CE). The young Galla spent most of her early life in the capital of the [Eastern Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/), [Constantinople](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantinople/). Galla's two brothers – Honorius and Arcadius (r. 395-408 CE) – were from the emperor's first marriage to Aelia Flavia Flacilla. Theodosius is best remembered for reuniting East and West for the last time and making [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) the only official [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). He banned all other faiths in 392 CE and destroyed all pagan temples. Some blamed the destruction of the pagan temples as a cause for the [fall of the Western Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/835/fall-of-the-western-roman-empire/). When Theodosius died, the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) was divided between his two sons. Since Honorius was only ten years old, Flavius [Stilicho](https://www.worldhistory.org/Stilicho/), *magister militum*, served as his regent. Stilicho unsuccessfully tried to negotiate an alliance with Alaric, the king of the [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/), who he had been trained in the [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/), fighting alongside the Romans at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of the Frigidus in 394 CE. Negotiations, however, failed, and when Alaric became a threat to the imperial family, the capital was moved to Ravenna. ### Sack of Rome Honorius had repeatedly mismanaged relations with the Alaric, so Alaric marched on Rome in 408 CE, surrounding all 13 gates, forcing the [Roman Senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/) to empty its treasury and pay a huge ransom, but the [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/) remained in [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). The ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) was on its knees, famine reigned, bodies littered the streets. Simon Baker in his book Ancient Rome said: "The city that had ruled the known world, the home of the ancient gods, the Gods of the Christians, and the Senate became a [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/), a desolate, morbid [ghost](https://www.worldhistory.org/ghost/) town." (395) Honorius did little to help the city, and many people blamed the situation on the incompetent Honorius who sat safely in his [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at Ravenna. Alaric waited but to no avail. Negotiations failed again, and with little alternative, Alaric, with his brother-in-[law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) Athaulf, marched on Rome for the third time in two years. On the night of 24 August 410, the Salarian Gates was opened by someone unknown, and the city, with little resistance, was easy to overcome. [ ![Alaric the Visigoth With His Commanders](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/12729.jpg?v=1600030949) Alaric the Visigoth With His Commanders Ancient History Magazine/ Karwansaray Publishers (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12729/alaric-the-visigoth-with-his-commanders/ "Alaric the Visigoth With His Commanders")Historian Peter Heather in his *The Fall of the Roman Empire* said: "By all accounts there followed one of the most civilized sacks of a city ever witnessed. Alaric's Goths were Christian and treated many of Roman holiest places with great respect." (227) Alaric had given strict orders to respect churches and monasteries. Although only the old Senate house was burned, the Goths stripped statues and senatorial houses of precious metals and gems. Perrottet wrote that "fighting erupted in many parts of the city and it descended into savagery when [Hun](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/) mercenaries ran riot" (61). Alaric left Rome, taking with him the spoils of siege and, surprisingly, the emperor's sister Galla Placidia. She would remain a hostage for almost a decade. Alaric delegated responsibility for Galla to Athaulf and because of her imperial rank, she was treated with respect and was able to maintain a semblance of independence. However, with the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of Alaric in 410 CE, leadership fell to Athaulf, and in 412 CE, he left Italy and marched into [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/), only to be forced to resettle at Barcelona in Spain. ### Marriage to Athaulf In 414 CE, Athaulf and Galla were married (possibly against her wishes) at Narbonne in southwestern Gaul. Deanesly wrote that they were married without imperial permission as Honorius withheld his consent, although emperors of that era usually had no objections to a marriage between royal houses and barbarian leaders. Athaulf and Galla had one son, Theodosius. Unfortunately, the young heir died shortly after birth and was buried in Barcelona. In 415 CE, Athaulf was stabbed to death by a resentful servant. The new leader was the anti-Roman Sigeric (Segeric) who had seized power. He killed off all of Athaulf's children from a previous marriage, and with little concern for Galla's imperial rank forced her to march on foot for 19 km (12 mi) in front of other captives. Luckily for Galla, and before he could decide on Galla's fate, Sigeric was murdered after only seven days. The new king Wallia gave in to Roman pressure and entered into negotiations with Rome, and for 600,000 measures (*modii*) of Roman grain, she was sent home to Honorius. ### Marriage to Constantius After her return to Ravenna, she married (again unwillingly) Honorius' commander Constantius on 1 January 417 CE. It was Constantius who had driven Athaulf into Spain, and while regaining lost territory in Spain and Gaul, Constantius, was also able to subdue the revolt of the self-appointed emperor [Constantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Constantine/) III (r. 407-411 CE). The marriage produced two children: a daughter Justa Grata Honoria in 418 CE and a son Valentinian in 419 CE. [ ![Artist's Impression of a Roman Wedding](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/12894.png?v=1764191486) Artist's Impression of a Roman Wedding Mohawk Games (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12894/artists-impression-of-a-roman-wedding/ "Artist's Impression of a Roman Wedding")Constantius was named co-emperor as Constantius III, possibly against the wishes of Honorius, and with her husband becoming *[augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/)*, Galla became *augusta*. When Galla's nephew, the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius II (402-450 CE) refused to recognize them, Constantius wanted to force him into recognition but fell ill. Constantius died after only seven months as co-emperor in 421 CE. Two years later, Galla and her children were banished from Ravenna, fleeing to Constantinople. After Honorius died of dropsy, Theodosius finally recognized the future Valentinian III (r. 425-455) as the legitimate heir in the West. ### Johannes Seizes the Throne Before Galla and her son could return to Ravenna, the throne was seized by Johannes (Ioannes), a senior notary or *primicerius notariorum*. His *magister militum*, Flavius Castinus was an enemy of Galla and wanted to prevent her from returning to Ravenna and putting her son on the throne. He had supported Honorius during a dispute between Galla and her brother, prior to her banishment. Johannes was recognized by Spain, Gaul, and Italy, and he had hoped to be recognized by Theodosius, but approval was denied. Galla reacted quickly and convinced her nephew to send an army to Italy. Theodosius' army easily entered Ravenna and routed Johannes' forces, unopposed. He was arrested, condemned to death by Galla, and executed in 425 CE. Valentinian III became emperor, but since he was only six years old, Galla Placidia became the regent. [ ![Valentinian III](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/17343.jpg?v=1682672807-1682672864) Valentinian III The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17343/valentinian-iii/ "Valentinian III")### Galla as Regent During her regency, three men rose to prominence, challenging each other as to who would have the most influence on the young emperor. Flavius Aetius, commander of the army and later *magister militum*, had initially been Galla's enemy, supporting Johannes, but Galla felt obligated enough to offer him terms and give him control of the army in Gaul. Next, Bonifacius ([Boniface](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saint_Boniface/)) was commander of the Roman guard and later commander in [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/). Like Aetius, he was initially estranged from Galla but reconciled with her. Aetius and Boniface would meet in battle at Rimini in 432 CE where Boniface was wounded and died. Lastly, Flavius Felix, a self-serving politician, was caught in a plot against Aetius. Aetius had been warned – possibly by Galla – that Felix was plotting against him. Felix was arrested, and he and his wife were both executed. Aetius would go on to achieve success against the Visigoths but was assassinated in 454 CE by the emperor Valentinian III; he was seen as no longer necessary. As her son's regent, Galla "played generals off on one another, keeping the deadly intrigues of the court in check and building alliances to stem off the new threat of the East, [Attila the Hun](https://www.worldhistory.org/Attila_the_Hun/)" (Perrottet, 65). Deanesly maintained that with Honorius' death, "she became for twenty-five years the real ruler of the west" (29). Unfortunately, her children proved to be a major disappointment. Valentinian turned 18 in 437 CE and assumed control of the throne but proved to be as weak as his uncles. His sister Honoria fared no better. She refused to marry a Roman senator, a man of her brother's choosing. Looking for a way out, she sent her signet ring to, of all people, [Attila](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Attila/) the Hun, asking for him to help her escape her brother's wishes. Seeing it as a marriage proposal, Attila demanded half of Valentinian's kingdom as a dowry. The emperor refused. Attila, who did not take the refusal well, marched into Gaul only to be defeated by Aetius. Seen as treason, Honoria was, by most accounts, banished. [ ![Attila the Hun [Artist's Impression]](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3047.jpg?v=1628469902) Attila the Hun \[Artist's Impression\] Conifer Games (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3047/attila-the-hun-artists-impression/ "Attila the Hun [Artist's Impression]")Galla died in 450 CE and was buried in the family mausoleum. Margaret Deanesly wrote that "Her career is an instance of the awkward mingling of the ruling classes of Roman and barbarian ruling classes and an example of [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) willingness to let a woman share in imperial rule" (29). #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Carlos Gómez (Editor). *The Encyclopedia of the Ancient Roman Empire.* Amber Books Ltd, 2019.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1782746943/) - [Deanesly, Margaret. *A History of Early Medieval Europe.* Routledge, 2020.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0367184583/) - [Grant, Michael. *The Roman Emperors.* Barnes and Noble, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0297785559/) - [Heather, Peter. *The Fall of the Roman Empire.* Oxford University Press, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000SEI0JQ/) - [Hornblower, Simon & Spawforth, Antony & Eidinow, Esther. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/) - [Perrottet, Tony. The Misunderstood Roman Empress Who Willed Her Way to the Top | History | Smithsonian Magazine](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/misunderstood-roman-empress-willed-way-to-top-180981294/ "Perrottet, Tony. The Misunderstood Roman Empress Who Willed Her Way to the Top | History | Smithsonian Magazine"), accessed 28 Apr 2023. - [Potter, David. *Emperors of Rome.* Metro Books, 2014.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B00Q38OGOE/) - [Simon Baker. *Ancient Rome Publisher.* BBC Books, 2006.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B004N80Q5O/) ## About the Author Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students. ## Timeline - **388 CE - 450 CE**: Life of [Galla Placidia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/). - **395 CE**: [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) Theodosius I. - **402 CE**: [Alaric](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alaric/) invades [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). - **408 CE**: [Alaric](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alaric/) I the [Visigoth](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) besieges [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). As ransom, Rome pays 5,000 pounds of [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/), 30,000 pounds of [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/), 4,000 silken tunics, 3,000 hides dyed scarlet, and 3,000 pounds of [pepper](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pepper/). - **410 CE**: [Alaric](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alaric/) of the [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) sacks [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). - **414 CE**: [Galla Placidia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/) marries Athaulf. - **417 CE**: Constantius III marries [Galla Placidia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/). - **425 CE**: [Galla Placidia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/) becomes regent for the young Valentinian III. ## Questions & Answers ### Who was Galla Placidia? Galla Placidia was the half-sister of the Westen Roman emperor Flavius Honorius (r. 395-423 CE), the daughter of Theodosius the Great (r. 379-395 CE), and the mother of Valentinian III (r. 425-455). She ruled as regent for her young son, and even after Valentinian took charge, she retained considerable power. ### What happened to Galla Placidia during the sack of Rome? Galla Placidia was taken hostage by Alaric during the sack of Rome in 410 CE. ## Cite This Work ### APA Wasson, D. L. (2023, May 01). Galla Placidia. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla\_Placidia/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/) ### Chicago Wasson, Donald L.. "Galla Placidia." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 01, 2023. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla\_Placidia/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/). ### MLA Wasson, Donald L.. "Galla Placidia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 May 2023, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla\_Placidia/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galla_Placidia/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 01 May 2023. 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