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Barbarian Rivalries within Rome
- Late Roman civil wars resembled struggles between rival barbarian factions, not purely Roman conflicts.
- Armies included various ethnic groups like Goths, Huns, Alans, and Franks, blurring traditional Roman identity.
Political Alliance Through Marriage
- Theodosius formed an intertwined dynasty with Valentinian II through marriage to secure his support.
- This alliance paved the way for coordinated military action against the usurper Maximus.
Ambrose Seeks Church Dominance
- Ambrose sought total control over imperial power, not just alliance.
- Losing direct access to Theodosius' inner circle forced Ambrose to assert himself publicly for influence.