Varronianus was the first of two sons born to the
emperor Jovian and
Charito, daughter of
Lucillianus. Upon his father's accession to the imperial throne, Varronianus was given the title of
Nobilissimus, and in 364, he was appointed
consul alongside his father at
Ancyra. As he was still an infant when his father died in 364, he was overlooked for the succession, and
Valentinian I was elected instead. It is possible that Varronianus was the young man referred to by
John Chrysostom in two of his letters and homilies ("Homilies on Philippians" and "Letter to a Young Widow"). If so, it appears that Varronianus was still alive in 380, but was living in fear of his life, due to his imperial descent. At some point, he had
one of his eyes removed, probably in an attempt to prevent him from making a claim to the throne. ==References==