Valentinian’s key advisor, Maximus, for the past…

Valentinian’s key advisor, Maximus, for the past five years the praetorian prefect of Gaul, is removed from his post on April 16, 376, as part of a purge of the old regime.

In Rome, Gratian has the support of the Symmachi and the Nicomachi Flaviani, representatives of the pagan aristocracy.

Justina, the mother of Gratian, and an Arian, seeks support for her son among the Arians and pagans of Rome and even among the African Donatists (a Christian heresy), whose sect, centered at Thamugadi, has begun to fade.