Eugenius

Latin Roman Name: Flavius Eugenius ***

Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: 22 August 392 - September 6, 394 against Theodosius I ***

Dynasty / Historical Period: The Valentinian dynasty (364 - 394) derives its name from the first of the dynasty's Emperors - Valentinian I. Orthodox Christianity became the officially tolerated variant of the faith and the Empire became irrevocably split into two halves. ***

Place and Date of Death: September 6, 394 in Frigidus ***

For the names of the next Roman emperors in the East and the West of the Empire refer to the Timeline of Roman Emperors

Interesting facts about the life of Eugenius
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Eugenius from the following facts and information about his life. Eugenius was the Western imperial court's magister scrinii. This learned Roman rose to prominence through the Frankish Usurper Arbogastes (of the West Germanic tribes). Emperor Valentinian II was murdered by Arbogastes, in A.D. 392, who elevated Eugenius to the throne on 22 August 392. This was a shrewd political move by the Frank Arbogastes who believed the respectable Roman roots of Eugenius would rally the Romans to his cause. Flavius Eugenius instituted a Pagan revival by granting the Old Roman religion official recognition and by restoring important shrines such as the Altar of Victory and the temple of Venus and Rome. However, the Christian Eastern Emperor Theodosius marched against them and the rebels Arbogastes and Eugenius and their forces met in A.D. 394 at the Battle of the Frigidus, also called the Battle of the Frigid River located to the east of the Roman port of Aquileia. Theodosius led the army. Among his commanders were his own generals Stilicho and Timasius and the Visigoth chieftain Alaric. The armies of Arbogastes and Eugenius were defeated. Arbogastes escaped but Eugenius was captured. Eugenius was executed by beheading, as befitted a Roman citizen, on September 6, 394 in Frigidus.