Varronianus ( 363 – 380 AD) was the son of the emperor Jovian.

Biography

Varronianus was the first of two sons born to the emperor Jovian and Charito, daughter of Lucillianus. Upon his father's accession to the imperial throne, Varronianus was given the title of Nobilissimus, and in AD 364, he was appointed consul alongside his father at Ancyra. As he was still an infant when his father died in 364, he was overlooked for the succession, and Valentinian I was elected instead.

Varronianus (son of Jovian)

It is possible that Varronianus was the young man referred to by John Chrysostom in two of his letters and homilies ("Homilies on Philippians" and "Letter to a Young Widow"). If so, it appears that Varronianus was still alive in 380, but was living in fear of his life, due to his imperial descent. At some point, he had one of his eyes removed, probably in an attempt to prevent him from making a claim to the throne.

Varronianus (son of Jovian)

Sources

Martindale, J. R.; Jones, A. H. M, The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Vol. I AD 260–395, Cambridge University Press (1971)

Varronianus (son of Jovian)

References

4th-century Romans

4th-century Roman consuls

Imperial Roman consuls

Year of birth unknown

Year of death unknown

4th-century deaths

4th-century births

Constantinian dynasty

Nobilissimi

Sons of Roman emperors