Another Retiree Moves To Florida

Knowing about all of the Roman emperors that met bloody and unfortunate deaths at the hands of others, it is a bit refreshing to read about those emperors that weren't hated and that died naturally. Vetranio is one of them.

An experienced officer in the Roman army in 350 AD, Vetranio was asked by Constantina, sister of Emperor Constantius II, to take up the throne alongside Constantius after her other brother and co-emperor Constans was killed by the usurper Magnentius. Vetranio agreed to become co-emperor and fight against Magnentius; Constantius II agreed to this arrangement as well, especially since he was already preoccupied in the east fighting against the Persians.

Later on, Vetranio entered negotiations with Magnentius, and both came up with the offer of a marriage alliance between the families of Magnentius and Constantius, but the catch being that Constantius had to demobilize his forces and accept Magnentius as co-emperor. This deal was rejected by Constantius.

As soon as Constantius got back from his eastern campaign, he met with Vetranio in the Balkans, and in the city of Naissus on December 25, 350, Vetranio abdicated after a reign of almost 10 months. He spent the rest of his life as a retired private citizen in Bithynia, dying six years later in 356.

Vetranio, Eastern Roman Empire
AE centenionalis
Obv: D N VETRANIO P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Vetranio standing, facing, and holding labarum in each hand, A-B across fields, star above
Mint: Thessalonika (Mintmark: dot TS delta dot; struck March-Dec 350 AD)
Ref: RIC 131