Heraclius (primicerius sacri cubiculi) facts for kids

Heraclius was an important official in the Western Roman Empire during the time of Emperor Valentinian III. He was a trusted advisor to the Emperor and had a lot of influence in the royal court.

Who Was Heraclius?

Heraclius served as the primicerius sacri cubiculi, which means he was the chief of the Emperor's personal staff. This was a very powerful position, allowing him to be close to Valentinian III and advise him on important matters.

Heraclius and General Aetius

Heraclius was not friends with Aetius, a very powerful general of the Roman Empire. Aetius was a strong military leader, but Heraclius saw him as a rival. Heraclius teamed up with a senator named Petronius Maximus, who also disliked Aetius.

The Fall of Aetius

Heraclius and Petronius Maximus worked together to convince Emperor Valentinian III that General Aetius was a threat. They made the Emperor believe that Aetius wanted to harm him. Because of this, Emperor Valentinian III decided to kill Aetius in the year 454.

Heraclius's Later Life

After Aetius was gone, Heraclius's friendship with Petronius Maximus ended. When Petronius Maximus wanted to become a consul (a high-ranking official) and a patrician (a noble title), Heraclius told Emperor Valentinian III not to give him these honors.

The Death of Heraclius

In 455, just one year after Aetius's death, Emperor Valentinian III was killed. This happened while he was training with his bow on the Campus Martius, a large field in Rome. Two officers, Optila and Thraustila, who were loyal to the dead General Aetius, carried out the killing on Petronius Maximus's orders. During the same event, Thraustila also killed Heraclius.