Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Valentinus, founder of a Gnostic sect Valentinus (1) (), founder of one of the Gnostic sects which originated in the first half of 2nd cent. I. Biography.-According to the tradition of the Valentinian school witnessed to by Clemens Alexandrinus (Strom. vii. 17, 106, p. 898, Potter), Valentinus had been a disciple of Theodas, who himself, … Continue reading “Valentinus, founder of a Gnostic sect”

Valentinus and Valentinians Valentinus, the best known and most influential of the Gnostic heretics, was born according to Epiphanius (Haer., XXXI) on the coast of Egypt. He was trained in Hellenistic science in Alexandria. Like many other heretical teachers he went to Rome the better, perhaps to disseminate his views. He arrived there during the … Continue reading “Valentinus and Valentinians”

Valentinianus III Valentinianus (3) III., emperor, 425-455, the son of Constantius III. by Galla Placidia, daughter of Theodosius the Great and consequently great-grandson of Valentinian I. For his civil history see D. of G. and R. Biogr. His reign was signalized by several laws bearing on church matters. At its very beginning (July 17, 425) … Continue reading “Valentinianus III”

Valentinianus (1) Valentinianus (1) I., emperor a.d. 364-375, a native of Cibalis in Pannonia. Having served in the army with distinction, he was captain of the guards during the reign of Julian, when he boldly confessed Christ. Theodoret tells us (H. E. iii. 16) that when Julian was one day entering the temple of Fortune … Continue reading “Valentinianus (2)”

VALENTINIANS A sect who sprung up in the second century, and were so called from their leader Valentinus. The Valentinians were only a branch of the Gnostics, who realized or personified the Platonic ideas concerning the Deity, whom they called Pleroma, or Plenitude. Their system was this: the first principle is Bythos, 1: e. Depth, … Continue reading “Valentinians”

Valentinian III, Roman emperor obtained notoriety by issuing the edict of. A.D. 445, which contributed materially to the elevation of the papacy, for which SEE LEO I and PAPACY SEE PAPACY . He also issued laws against the Manicheans. His mother, Placidia, administered the government for him until the year 450, and afterwards he gave … Continue reading “Valentinian III, Roman emperor”

Valentinian III Reigned 425-55, b. at Ravenna, 3 July, 419; d. at Rome, 16 March, 455; son of Constantius III and Galla Placidia, daughter of Theodosius, succeeded Emperor Honorius. In 437 he married his cousin Eudoxia at Constantinople. During his reign the Western Empire hastened to decay. Britain was abandoned in 446, Ætius failed to … Continue reading “Valentinian III”

Valentinian II, Roman emperor was successor to his brother Gratian. The only noteworthy incident of his reign which requires mention in this place was the attempt of the heathen party, in the year 384, to recover the position it had lost. Symmachus, the praefectus urbis, demanded the retraction of the laws issued by Gratian against … Continue reading “Valentinian II, Roman emperor”

Valentinian II (FLAVIUS VALENTINIANUS) Reigned 375-392; born in Gaul, about 371, murdered at Vienne, Dauphiny, Gaul, 15 May, 392. Son of Valentinian I and his second wife Justina. He was never much more than a merely nominal ruler, for while Gratian ruled in the East, most of the West was under the control of Magnus … Continue reading “Valentinian II”

Valentinian I, Roman emperor was the son of Comes Gratianus, and born in A.D. 321 at Cibelae in Pannonia. He succeeded Jovian on the throne in 361, and, having associated his brother Valens with himself in the empire, he assumed the government of the West. He protected the State against the incursions of the Germanic … Continue reading “Valentinian I, Roman emperor”