VALENTINIAN III (b. 419) became child-emperor of the west. He was the son of Honorius's half sister Galla Placidia, who exercised power, and the general Constantius, who had been made Augustus in 421 but had died almost at once. Valentinian was recognized by Theodosius II and married his daughter Eudoxia (437).
The general Bonifatius tried to set himself up as independent in Africa, with the aid of the Vandals. But the Vandals seized Africa for themselves after a two-year siege of Hippo Regius (430–431) during which the bishop St. Augustine died (430, Aug. 28).
Aëtius, master of the troops, disposed of his rivals, Felix and Bonifatius (recalled from Africa in 432). He then devoted himself to clearing Gaul of barbarians, which he did by a resounding victory over the Visigoths (436) and by suppressing an uprising of the peasants and slaves (Bagaudae, 437).
MARCIAN, an able general, became emperor when Theodosius II died and Marcian married Theodosius's sister, Pulcheria. He allowed the Ostrogoths to settle as military allies (federates) in Pannonia.
