Licinia Eudoxia

Licinia Eudoxia (422-462) was a Roman Empress, daughter of Eastern Emperor Theodosius II and wife of the Western Emperors Valentinian III and Petronius Maximus.

Related Topics:
422 - 462 - Roman Empress - Theodosius II - Valentinian III - Petronius Maximus

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Eudoxia was the only daughter of the long-reigning Eastern emperor Theodosius II and of his wife, the poetess Aelia Eudocia. She married the Western Emperor Valentinian III on 29 October 437, in Thessalonica, marriage that marked the reunion of the two halves of the House of Theodosius. In 439 Eudoxia is granted the title of Augusta, with the birth of her daughter Eudocia.

Related Topics:
Aelia Eudocia - Valentinian III - 29 October - 437 - Thessalonica - House of Theodosius - 439 - Eudocia

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In 455, Valentinian was murdered, probably by his collaborator, Petronius Maximus. In the dark days that followed the death of the emperor, Petronius Maximus rose to the imperial power, and obliged Licinia Eudoxia to marry him, in order to strenghten his position. It is possible that Eudoxia, who was not happy of marrying the killer of his husband, called for the help of the African Vandals king Gaiseric, who had engaged one of his sons to Eudoxia's eldest daughter. Genseric moved to Rome very quickly. Petronius Maximus opted for fleeing, but he was killed by the mob of Rome. When the Vandals arrived in Rome, they sacked the city, and took, among the other prisoners, Eudoxia and her two daughters, Eudocia and Placidia. The three women stayed prisoners in Carthage for seven years, until a large ransom was payed by the Eastern Emperor Leo I.

Related Topics:
455 - Petronius Maximus - Vandal - Gaiseric - Carthage - Leo I

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