 The most influential man in the West, Castinus, chose as his successor Joannes, a high-ranking officer.Joannes was not part of the Theodosian dynasty and he did not receive the recognition of the eastern court.The Eastern Emperor Theodosius II organised a military expedition westward, led by Ardaburius and his son Aspar, to put his cousin, the young Valentinian III (who was a nephew of Honorius), on the western throne.