The Ecclesiastical History Of Theodoret

By Theodoret

Chapter XII.--Of the death of Gratianus and the sovereignty of Maximus

Gratianus in the midst of his successes in war and wise and prudent government ended his life by conspiracy. [861] He left no sons to inherit the empire, and a brother of the same name as their father, Valentinianus, [862] who was quite a youth. So Maximus, [863] in contempt of the youth of Valentinianus, seized the throne of the West.