Valens

• 1. Imperial Ascension And Division

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  On the 28th of March 364, soldiers gathered before the Constantinian Walls at a place called Hebdomon to acclaim Valens as co-emperor. His elder brother Valentinian I had just been named augustus on the 25th of February that same year. The Roman Empire stretched from Britain to Syria, and one man could not manage its vast borders alone. Valentinian needed help with both civil administration and military command across such unwieldy territory. He appointed his brother tribunus stabulorum on the 1st of March 364, then elevated him to equal power eight days later. Both men fell ill shortly after their elevation, delaying their journey through Adrianople and Naissus. They eventually reached Mediana where they divided their territories permanently. Valens received Greece, the Balkans, Egypt, Anatolia, and the Levant up to the Sasanian border. Valentinian kept the western half including Gaul and Italy where Alemannic wars demanded immediate attention. The brothers began their consulships in separate capitals: Constantinople for Valens and Milan for Valentinian.

  1213

• 2. Usurpation And Internal Security

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  News of Procopius' rebellion reached Valens at Caesarea in Cappadocia while most of his troops were already crossing into Syria. On the 28th of September 365, Procopius declared himself augustus as a maternal cousin of Julian. This usurper had held office under Constantius II and Julian and was rumored to be Julian's intended successor. During public appearances he always appeared alongside Constantia, daughter of Constantius II, and her mother Faustina. Valens initially considered abdication or even suicide when hearing about the revolt. Procopius quickly gained control over Asia and Bithynia provinces. Valens recovered his nerve and sent an army to Constantinople but soldiers defected to Procopius. He reappointed Salutius and dispatched veteran generals Arinthaeus and Arbitio to march on the rebel. After eight months of fighting, Valens' forces defeated Procopius at Thyatira and Nacoleia. Procopius was executed on the 27th of May 366 after being put on trial by members of his own escort. A relative named Marcellus was proclaimed emperor in his place but was swiftly captured and executed according to Zosimus.

  1415

• 3. Frontier Wars In The East

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  During Procopius' insurrection, Gothic king Ermanaric ruled a powerful kingdom stretching from the Euxine Sea to the Baltic Sea. His Gothic army reportedly numbered thirty thousand men and arrived too late to help Procopius. They invaded Thrace anyway and began plundering farms and vineyards across the province. Valens marched north after defeating Procopius and surrounded them with superior force. Ermanaric protested but Valens refused to make atonement for his conduct. War was declared in spring 367 when Valens crossed the Danube to attack Visigoths under Athanaric. The Goths fled into Carpathian Mountains and the campaign ended without decisive conclusion. A Danube flood prevented Valens from crossing again the following spring. Instead he occupied troops with fortification construction projects. In 369 Valens crossed from Noviodunum and devastated the country forcing Athanaric into battle. He took the title Gothicus Maximus before celebrating his quinquennalia on the 25th of February 369. Athanaric withdrew in good order and pleaded for peace. Early in 370 Valens met Athanaric in the middle of the Danube to agree on a treaty ending the war.

  1921

• 4. The Gothic Settlement Crisis

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  In 376, Visigoths under leader Fritigern advanced to lower Danube shores and sent requests for asylum to Valens in Antioch. Refugees from Ermanaric's former kingdom could not hold Dniester or Prut rivers against Hunnic invaders. They retreated southward seeking defensible lands on Roman side of Danube. Valens granted permission for crossing but only admitted Fritigern's people initially. Other groups including Ostrogoths, Huns, and Alans would soon follow without inclusion in original treaty. The sparse imperial troops numbered around two hundred thousand warriors plus almost one million total people. Only limitanei units were present to oversee arrival since mobile forces remained tied down on Persian frontier. Corruption in local administration worsened the situation as generals accepted bribes rather than depriving Goths of weapons. These same officials enraged settlers by imposing exorbitant prices for food. In early 377 Goths revolted after commotion with Marcianopolis people and defeated corrupt governor Lupicinus near that city at Battle of Marcianople.

  1521

• 5. Catastrophe At Adrianople

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  On the 9th of August 378, Valens and most of his army died fighting Goths near Hadrianopolis in Thrace. Ammianus Marcellinus serves as primary source describing how negotiations broke down when a Roman unit sallied forth. Valens had left sizeable guard with baggage and treasures depleting his actual force. His right cavalry wing arrived before left wing during very hot weather conditions. Roman cavalry engaged without strategic support wasting efforts while suffering intensely from heat. Fritigern sent emissary of peace again manipulating the situation causing delay. Romans present on field began succumbing to extreme temperatures. Army resources diminished further when ill-timed attack by Roman archers required recall of comes Richomeres. Archers were beaten and retreated in humiliation. Returning from foraging Gothic cavalry under Alatheus and Saphrax struck decisively making Roman cavalry flee. From here two accounts exist regarding Valens' demise according to Ammianus. One states he was mortally wounded by arrow then breathed last breath immediately. Another account describes Roman infantry abandoned surrounded cut to pieces while Valens carried to small wooden hut. He died when Goths set hut on fire unaware of prize within. Two-thirds eastern army lay dead after battle concluded.

  1521

• 6. Administrative Reforms And Infrastructure

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  Valens became senior augustus on the 17th of November 375 after brother Valentinian died suddenly at Brigetio while campaigning against Quadi. In west Valentinian succeeded by elder son Gratian co-emperor since 367 plus younger son Valentinian II proclaimed augustus without consulting either Gratian or Valens. As emperor Valens significantly relieved burden of taxation on population according to New Catholic Encyclopedia. Oxford Classical Dictionary notes he was conscientious administrator careful of humble interests. Gibbon wrote that Valens diminished oppressive tax burdens instituted by Constantine and his sons. He established Defensors acting as substitute for ancient Tribunes guarding lower classes. His moderation and chastity in private life were celebrated everywhere despite continuous proscriptions originating from weak fearful disposition. Valens commissioned short history of Roman State produced by secretary Eutropius known as Breviarium ab Urbe condita. This work tells story of Rome from founding until present day. Domestically he inaugurated Aqueduct of Valens in Constantinople which exceeded length of all aqueducts combined in Rome itself.

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• 7. Religious Policy And Legacy

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  During reign Valens confronted theological diversity creating division throughout Empire. Julian attempted revival of pagan religions between 361 and 363 but actions viewed excessive before dying campaign against Persians. Death considered sign from Christian God by many observers. Valens baptized by Arian bishop of Constantinople before first war against Goths began. Nicene Christian writers identified him with Arian faction accusing persecution of Nicene Christians though modern historians describe both brothers primarily interested maintaining social order minimizing theological concerns. Athanasius impelled under reign briefly go into hiding while Valens maintained close dependency on brother Valentinian treating St Basil mildly. Both supported Nicene position. Not long after death cause of Arianism in Roman East came to end. Successor Theodosius I made Nicene Christianity state religion suppressing Arians completely. J.B. Bury noted battle disaster need not have occurred representing disgrace requiring explanation. Adrianople spelled beginning end for Roman territorial integrity late Empire recognized even contemporaries. Ammianus understood worst defeat since Battle of Edessa while Rufinus called it beginning evils then thereafter. Valens deified by consecratio despite inglorious death ending unfortunate career.

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