This article is about the Roman Emperor. For other people called Valens, see Valens

Valens
Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire
Coin featuring Valens
Reign	28 March 364 - 17 November 375 (emperor of the east, with his brother in the west; 17 November 375 - 9 August 378 (emperor in the east, with his nephews Gratian and Valentinian II acting together as emperor of the west)
Full name	Flavius Iulius Valens
Born	328
Birthplace	Cibalae, near Sirmium
Died	9 August 378
Place of death	Adrianople
Predecessor	Valentinian I (alone, whole empire)
Successor	Theodosius I
Wife	Albia Dominica[1]
Issue	Valentinianus Galates, Carosa, Anastasia[1]
Dynasty	Valentinian
Father	Gratian the Elder

Flavius Iulius Valens (Latin: IMPERATOR CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS VALENS AVGVSTVS; 328 – August 9, 378) was Roman Emperor (364-378), after he was given the Eastern part of the empire by his brother Valentinian I. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Events By Place Roman Empire Jovian surrenders Mesopotamia to the Persians. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Events By Place Roman Empire Valentinian I leaves Trier to repress the rebellious Quadi in Slovakia. Flavius Valentinianus, known in English as Valentinian I, ( 321 - November 17, 375) was Roman Emperor from 364 until his death The Western Roman Empire refers to the western half of the Roman Empire, from its division by Diocletian in 285 the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Events By Place Roman Empire Valentinian I leaves Trier to repress the rebellious Quadi in Slovakia. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Events By Place Roman Empire Mid- February - The Lentienses cross the frozen Rhine invading the Roman Empire. For other figures with this name see Gratian (disambiguation. Flavius Valentinianus Junior (371 – 15 May 392) known usually by his Anglicised name Valentinian II, was a Roman Emperor Events By Topic Religion May 9 — Athanasius is elected bishop of Alexandria. Vinkovci is a Croatian town in eastern Slavonia, with a population of 32455 (2001 making it the largest town of the Sirmium in Pannonia should not be confused with Sirmio on Lake Garda Sirmium (today Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) was an ancient Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Events By Place Roman Empire Mid- February - The Lentienses cross the frozen Rhine invading the Roman Empire. The second Battle of Adrianople ( August 9 378) sometimes known as the Battle of Hadrianopolis, was fought between a Roman army led by the Flavius Valentinianus, known in English as Valentinian I, ( 321 - November 17, 375) was Roman Emperor from 364 until his death Flavius Theodosius (January 11 347 – January 17 395 also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great ( Greek: Θεοδόσιος Α΄ Albia Dominica (Also referred to as Dominica Albia Domnica Domnica or Domnica Augusta c The Valentinian Dynasty, consisting of four emperors ruled the Western Roman Empire from 364 to 392 and the Eastern Roman Empire from 364 to 378 Gratianus Funarius, also known as Gratianus Major ( Major Latin for the elder) also known as Gratian the Elder, who was a soldier of the Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Events By Topic Religion May 9 — Athanasius is elected bishop of Alexandria. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Events By Place Roman Empire Mid- February - The Lentienses cross the frozen Rhine invading the Roman Empire. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Events By Place Roman Empire Jovian surrenders Mesopotamia to the Persians. Flavius Valentinianus, known in English as Valentinian I, ( 321 - November 17, 375) was Roman Emperor from 364 until his death Valens, sometimes known as the Last True Roman, was defeated and killed in the Battle of Adrianople, which marked the beginning of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The description Last of the Romans ( Ultimus Romanorum) has historically been given to any man thought to embody the values of Ancient Roman civilization - values which The second Battle of Adrianople ( August 9 378) sometimes known as the Battle of Hadrianopolis, was fought between a Roman army led by the The Western Roman Empire refers to the western half of the Roman Empire, from its division by Diocletian in 285 the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern

Life

Appointment to emperor

Valens and his brother Flavius Valentinianus (Valentinian) were both born 48 miles west of Sirmium (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), in the town of Cibalae (Vinkovci, Croatia) in 328 and 321, respectively. Flavius Valentinianus, known in English as Valentinian I, ( 321 - November 17, 375) was Roman Emperor from 364 until his death Sirmium in Pannonia should not be confused with Sirmio on Lake Garda Sirmium (today Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) was an ancient Sremska Mitrovica ( Serbian Cyrillic: Сремска Митровица is a city and municipality located Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country Vinkovci is a Croatian town in eastern Slavonia, with a population of 32455 (2001 making it the largest town of the Croatia (Hrvatska ˈxȓvatska officially the Republic of Croatia ( Republika Hrvatska) is a southern Central European country at the crossroads between Events By Topic Roman Empire March 7 — Edict of Constantine I: The dies Solis Invicti (Sunday is proclaimed as They had grown up on estates purchased by their father, Gratian the Elder, in Africa and Britain. Gratianus Funarius, also known as Gratianus Major ( Major Latin for the elder) also known as Gratian the Elder, who was a soldier of the While Valentinian had enjoyed a successful military career prior to his appointment as emperor, Valens apparently had not. He had spent much of his youth on the family's estate and only joined the army in the 360s, participating with his brother in the Persian campaign of Emperor Julian. Events and Trends Simple360s Flavius Claudius Julianus, known also as Julian or Julian the Apostate (331 or 332 to 26 June 363) was Roman Emperor (Caesar

In February 364, reigning Emperor Jovian, while hastening to Constantinople to secure his claim to the throne, was asphyxiated during a stop at Dadastana, 100 miles east of Ankara. Events By Place Roman Empire Jovian surrenders Mesopotamia to the Persians. For other meanings see Jovian (disambiguation. Flavius Iovianus, Anglicized to Jovian, ( 331 - 17 February Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after İstanbul. Among Jovian's agents was Valentinian, a tribunus scutariorum. He was proclaimed Augustus on February 26, 364. Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Valentinian felt that he needed help to govern the large and troublesome empire, and, on March 28 of the same year, appointed his brother Valens as co-emperor in the palace of Hebdomon. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Location Bakırköy is a large densely populated Middle class Residential Suburb of İstanbul, Turkey on its

Valens obtained the eastern half of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece, Egypt, Syria and Anatolia as far east as Persia. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic Anatolia (Anadolu Ανατολία Anatolía) or Asia minor, comprising most of modern Turkey, is the geographic region bounded by the Black Valens was back in his capital of Constantinople by December 364.

Revolt of Procopius

Bronze coin issued by Procopius. Procopius ( 326 - May 27, 366) was a Roman usurper against Valentinian I, and member of the Constantinian dynasty.

Valens inherited the eastern portion of an empire that had recently retreated from most of its holdings in Mesopotamia and Armenia because of a treaty that his predecessor Jovian had made with Shapur II of the Sassanid Empire. Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding The Kingdom of Armenia (or Greater Armenia) was an independent kingdom from 190 BC to AD 387 and a client state of the Roman and Persian empires until Shapur II was the ninth King of the Sassanid Empire from 309 to 379 The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire Valens's first priority after the winter of 365 was to move east in hopes of shoring up the situation. Events By place Roman Empire July 21 — An earthquake and Tsunami devastates Crete, Alexandria By the autumn of 365 he had reached Cappadocian Caesarea when he learned that a usurper had proclaimed himself in Constantinople. When he died, Julian had left behind one surviving relative, a maternal cousin named Procopius. Procopius ( 326 - May 27, 366) was a Roman usurper against Valentinian I, and member of the Constantinian dynasty. Procopius had been charged with overseeing a northern division of Julian's army during the Persian expedition and had not been present with the imperial elections when Julian's successor was named. Though Jovian made accommodations to appease this potential claimant, Procopius fell increasingly under suspicion in the first year of Valens' reign.

After narrowly escaping arrest, he went into hiding and reemerged at Constantinople where he was able to convince two military units passing through the capital to proclaim him emperor on 28 September 365. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Events By place Roman Empire July 21 — An earthquake and Tsunami devastates Crete, Alexandria Though his early reception in the city seems to have been lukewarm, Procopius won favor quickly by using propaganda to his advantage: he sealed off the city to outside reports and began spreading rumors that Valentinian had died; he began minting coinage flaunting his connections to the Constantinian dynasty; and he further exploited dynastic claims by using the widow and daughter of Constantius II to act as showpieces for his regime. Flavius Iulius Constantius, known in English as Constantius II ( 7 August, 317 - November 3, 361) was a Roman Emperor This program met with some success, particularly among soldiers loyal to the Constantinians and eastern intellectuals who had already begun to feel persecuted by the Valentinians.

Valens, meanwhile, faltered. When news arrived that Procopius had revolted, Valens considered abdication and perhaps even suicide. Abdication (from the Latin abdicatio, disowning renouncing from ab, away from and dicare, to declare to proclaim as not belonging to one Even after he steadied his resolve to fight, Valens's efforts to forestall Procopius were hampered by the fact that most of his troops had already crossed the Cilician gates into Syria when he learned of the revolt. Geography Cilicia extended along the Aegean coast east from Pamphylia, to Mount Amanus ( Gavurdağı Mount) which separated it from Syria Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic Even so, Valens sent two legions to march on Procopius, who easily persuaded them to desert to him. Later that year, Valens himself was nearly captured in a scramble near Chalcedon. For the Ecumenical Council of 451 see Council of Chalcedon; For the religious/political organization see Chalcedon Foundation. Troubles were exacerbated by the refusal of Valentinian to do any more than protect his own territory from encroachment. The failure of imperial resistance in 365 allowed Procopius to gain control of the dioceses of Thrace and Asiana by year's end. Thrace (Тракия Trakiya or "Trakija" or Trakia, Θράκη Thráki, Trakya is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe

Only in the spring of 366 had Valens assembled enough troops to deal with Procopius effectively. Events By Place Roman Empire January 2 — The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine in large numbers invading the Roman Marching out from Ancyra through Pessinus, Valens proceeded into Phrygia where he defeated Procopius's general Gomoarius at the Battle of Thyatira. thumb|Pessinus Area Sivrihisar Eskişehir Turkey Pessinus was the city in Anatolia, the Asian part of Turkey on the upper course of the river Sakarya In antiquity Phrygia (Φρυγία was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Battle of Thyatira was fought in 366 at Thyatira, Phrygia (modern Turkey between the army of the Roman Emperor Valens and the He then met Procopius himself at Nacoleia and convinced his troops to desert him. Procopius was executed on May 27 and his head sent to Valentinian in Trier for inspection. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Trier (Trèves Luxembourgish: Tréier; Augusta Treverorum is a City in Germany on the banks of the Moselle River.

War against the Goths

The Gothic people in the northern region had supported Procopius in his revolt against Valens, and Valens had learned the Goths were planning an uprising of their own. The Goths ( Gothic: Gothic usvg|14px|u]]Gothic asvg|14px|a]]Gothic s These Goths, more specifically the Tervingi, were at the time under the leadership of Athanaric and had apparently remained peaceful since their defeat under Constantine in 332. Athanaricus (died 381 was king of several branches of the Thervings for at least two decades in the fourth century. Events By Place Roman Empire Emperor Constantine I defeats the Visigoths in battle In the spring of 367, Valens crossed the Danube and marched on Athanaric's Goths. Events By Place Roman Empire Great Conspiracy: A general assault of Saxons, Irish, and Attacotti, combined These fled into the Carpathian Mountains, and eluded Valens' advance, forcing him to return later that summer. The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians (Carpaţi Czech, Polish and Slovak: Karpaty; Ukrainian: Карпати The following spring, a Danube flood prevented Valens from crossing; instead the emperor occupied his troops with the construction of fortifications. In 369, Valens crossed again, from Noviodunum, and attacked the north-easterly Gothic tribe of Greuthungi before facing Athanaric's Tervingi and defeating them. Events By Place Roman Empire Athanaric, a Visigoth ruler fights against Valens at Isaccea. Noviodunum is a name of Latin - Celtic origin meaning "new fort" It comes from novus, Latin for "new" and dunum, the Celtic Athanaric pled for treaty terms and Valens gladly obliged. The treaty seems to have largely cut off relations between Goths and Romans, including free trade and the exchange of troops for tribute. Free trade is a system in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions Valens would feel this loss of military manpower in the following years.

Conflict with the Sassanids

Among Valens' reasons for contracting a hasty and not entirely favorable peace in 369 was the deteriorating state of affairs in the East. Jovian had surrendered Rome's much disputed claim to control over Armenia in 363, and Shapur II was eager to make good on this new opportunity. The Sassanid ruler began enticing Armenian lords over to his camp and eventually forced the defection of the Arsacid Armenian king, Arsakes II, whom he quickly arrested and incarcerated. The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire The Arsacid Dynasty (Arshakuni Dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Armenia from 54 to 428 Arshak II (or Arsaces II was the son of King Diran and was himself king of Armenia from 350-367 Shapur then sent an invasion force to seize Caucasian Iberia and a second to besiege Arsaces' son, Pap, in the fortress of Artogerassa, probably in 367. This article is about the people of ancient Georgia For the Iberians of ancient Iberian Peninsula see Iberians. Pap (Պապ Papes Circa 353 AD &ndash 374 was king of Armenia of the Arshakuni dynasty from 370 to 374 By the following spring, Pap had engineered his escape from the fortress and flight to Valens, whom he seems to have met at Marcianople while campaigning against the Goths.

Already in the summer following his Gothic settlement, Valens sent his general Arinthaeus to re-impose Pap on the Armenian throne. This provoked Shapur himself to invade and lay waste to Armenia. Pap, however, once again escaped and was restored a second time under escort of a much larger force in 370. Events By Place Roman Empire The presence of the Saxons in Batavia is noted by Ammianus Marcellinus. The following spring, larger forces were sent under Terentius to regain Iberia and to garrison Armenia near Mount Npat. When Shapur counterattacked into Armenia in 371, his forces were bested by Valens' generals Traianus and Vadomarius at Bagavan. Events By Place Roman Empire The fortified cities of the Danube, with Sirmium at the forefront contribute to stop an invasion Valens had overstepped the 363 treaty and then successfully defended his transgression. A truce settled after the 371 victory held as a quasi-peace for the next five years while Shapur was forced to deal with a Kushan invasion on his eastern frontier. The Kushan Empire (c 1st &ndash 3rd centuries) was a Bactrian state that at its cultural zenith Circa 105 &ndash 250

Meanwhile, troubles broke out with the boy-king Pap, who began acting in high-handed fashion, even executing the Armenian bishop Narses and demanding control of a number of Roman cities, including Edessa. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight Saint Nerses I the Great was an Armenian Catholicos (or Patriarch) who lived in the fourth century Edessa ( Greek:) is the historical name of a Syriac town in northern Mesopotamia, refounded on an ancient site by Seleucus I Nicator Pressed by his generals and fearing that Pap would defect to the Persians, Valens made an unsuccessful attempt to capture the prince and later had him executed inside Armenia. In his stead, Valens imposed another Arsacid, Varazdat, who ruled under the regency of the sparapet Musel Mamikonean, a friend of Rome. Varazdat (Վարազդատ Latinized as Varasdates) was an Armenian prince who succeeded his uncle King Pap as King of Armenia in 374 Sparapet ( Armenian: Սպարապետ) was a hereditary military rank used in ancient and medieval Armenia such as the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. Mamikonian or Mamikoneans (Մամիկոնյան was a noble family which dominated Armenian politics between the 4th and 8th century

None of this sat well with the Persians, who began agitating again for compliance with the 363 treaty. As the eastern frontier heated up in 375, Valens began preparations for a major expedition. Meanwhile, trouble was brewing elsewhere. In Isauria, the mountainous region of western Cilicia, a major revolt had broken out in 375 which diverted troops formerly stationed in the east. Isauria (Ισαυρία in ancient geography is a rugged isolated district in the interior of South Asia Minor, of very different extent at different periods but generally Geography Cilicia extended along the Aegean coast east from Pamphylia, to Mount Amanus ( Gavurdağı Mount) which separated it from Syria Furthermore, by 377, the Saracens under Queen Mavia had broken into revolt and devastated a swath of territory stretching from Phoenicia and Palestine as far as the Sinai. Events By Topic Roman Empire Battle of the Willows: Roman troops fight an inconclusive battle against the Goths. Saracen was a term used by Europeans in the Middle Ages for Fatimids at first then later for all who professed the religion of Islam. Mavia, (ماوية Māwiyya; also transliterated Mawia, Mawai, or Mawaiy, and sometimes referred to as Mania) was an Arab Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai ( Coptic: sina; Egyptian Arabic: sina سينا Arabic, sina'a سيناء Though Valens successfully brought both uprisings under control, the opportunities for action on the eastern frontier were limited by these skirmishes closer to home.

In 375, Valens' older brother Valentinian, while in Pannonia had suffered a burst blood vessel in his skull, which resulted in his death on November 17, 375. Events By Place Roman Empire Valentinian I leaves Trier to repress the rebellious Quadi in Slovakia. Pannonia is an ancient province of the Roman Empire bounded north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy, The blood vessels are part of the Circulatory system and function to transport Blood throughout the body Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Gratian, Valentinian's son and Valens' nephew, had already been associated with his father in the imperial dignity and was joined by his half-brother Valentinian II who was elevated, on their father's death, to Augustus by the imperial troops in Pannonia. For other figures with this name see Gratian (disambiguation. Flavius Valentinianus Junior (371 – 15 May 392) known usually by his Anglicised name Valentinian II, was a Roman Emperor Augustus (plural augusti) Latin for "majestic" "the increaser" or "venerable" was an Ancient Roman Pannonia is an ancient province of the Roman Empire bounded north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy,

Gothic War

Main article: Gothic War (376-382)

Solidus minted by Valens in c. The solidus (the Latin word for solid) was originally a Gold coin issued by the Romans. 376. Events By Place Roman Empire Many Goths appear on the Danube and request entry into the Roman Empire in their flight from the On reverse, Valens and his brother Valentinian I hold together the orb, a symbol of power. Flavius Valentinianus, known in English as Valentinian I, ( 321 - November 17, 375) was Roman Emperor from 364 until his death The Sovereign's Orb is a type of Regalia known as a Globus cruciger and is one of the British Crown Jewels.

Valens' plans for an eastern campaign were never realized. A transfer of troops to the western empire in 374 had left gaps in Valens' mobile forces. In preparation for an eastern war, Valens initiated an ambitious recruitment program designed to fill those gaps. It was thus not unwelcome news when Valens learned that the Gothic tribes had been displaced from their homeland by an invasion of Huns in 375 and were seeking asylum from him. The Huns were an early confederation of Central Asian equestrian nomads or semi-nomads with a Turkic core of aristocracy Events By Place Roman Empire Valentinian I leaves Trier to repress the rebellious Quadi in Slovakia. In 376, the Visigoths advanced to the far shores of the lower Danube and sent an ambassador to Valens who had set up his capitol in Antioch. Events By Place Roman Empire Many Goths appear on the Danube and request entry into the Roman Empire in their flight from the The Visigoths (Visigothi, Wisigothi, Vesi, Visi, Wesi, or Wisi were one of two main branches of the Goths, an East Antioch on the Orontes (Ἀντιόχεια ἡ ἐπὶ Δάφνῃ Ἀντιόχεια ἡ ἐπὶ Ὀρόντου or Ἀντιόχεια ἡ Μεγάλη Antiochia ad Orontem also The Goths requested shelter and land in the Balkan peninsula. An estimated 200,000 Goths were along the Danube in Moesia and the ancient land of Dacia. Moesia (Μοισία Moisía; Мизия Miziya; Moesia Мезија Mezija) was an ancient region and Roman province situated in the Dacia, in ancient geography was the land of the Dacians. It was named by the ancient Hellenes ( Greeks) " Getae "

As Valens' advisers were quick to point out, these Goths could supply troops who would at once swell Valens' ranks and decrease his dependence on provincial troop levies — thereby increasing revenues from the recruitment tax. Among the Goths seeking asylum was a group led by the chieftain Fritigern. Fritigern, or Fritigernus (died ca 380 was a Gothic war-leader whose military victories in the Gothic War (376-382 extracted favourable terms for the Fritigern had enjoyed contact with Valens in the 370s when Valens supported him in a struggle against Athanaric stemming from Athanaric's persecution of Gothic Christians. Events and Trends 376, Visigoths appear on the Danube and are allowed entry into the Roman Empire in their flight from the Huns A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Though a number of Gothic groups apparently requested entry, Valens granted admission only to Fritigern and his followers. This did not, however, prevent others from following.

When Fritigern and his Goths undertook the crossing, Valens's mobile forces were tied down in the east, on the Persian frontier and in Isauria. This meant that only riparian units were present to oversee the Goths' settlement. The limitanei or riparian (Plural Limitatenses) were border units in the armies of the late Roman Empire. The small number of imperial troops present prevented the Romans from stopping a Danube crossing by a group of Goths and later by Huns and Alans. The Alans or Alani (occasionally but more rarely termed Alauni or Halani) were an Iranian nomadic group among the Sarmatian people What started out as a controlled resettlement mushroomed into a massive influx. And the situation grew worse. When the riparian commanders began abusing the Visigoths under their charge, they revolted in early 377 and defeated the Roman units in Thrace outside of Marcianople. Events By Topic Roman Empire Battle of the Willows: Roman troops fight an inconclusive battle against the Goths. Thrace (Тракия Trakiya or "Trakija" or Trakia, Θράκη Thráki, Trakya is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe

After joining forces with the Ostrogoths and eventually the Huns and Alans, the combined barbarian group marched widely before facing an advance force of imperial soldiers sent from both east and west. In a battle at Ad Salices, the Goths were once again victorious, winning free run of Thrace south of the Haemus. The Battle of the Willows ( 377) took place at a place called ad Salices ("town by the willows" or according In Greek mythology, King Haemus (Αἷμος Haîmos) of Thrace was the son of Boreas. By 378, Valens himself was able to march west from his eastern base in Antioch. Events By Place Roman Empire Mid- February - The Lentienses cross the frozen Rhine invading the Roman Empire. He withdrew all but a skeletal force — some of them Goths — from the east and moved west, reaching Constantinople by May 30, 378. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Meanwhile, Valens' councilors, Comes Richomeres, and his generals Frigerid, Sebastian, and Victor cautioned Valens and tried to persuade him to wait for Gratian's arrival with his victorious legionaries from Gaul, something that Gratian himself strenuously advocated. The French Solar Energy Authority ( Commissariat à l'Energie Solaire, ComES) a public Scientific and industrial entity was set up in Flavius Richomeres (Richomer was a Frank who lived in the late 4th century What happened next is an example of hubris, the impact of which was to be felt for years to come. Hubris, sometimes spelled hybris ( Ancient Greek ὕβρις is a term used in modern English to indicate overweening Pride, self-confidence Valens, jealous of his nephew Gratian's success, decided he wanted this victory for himself.

Battle of Adrianople and death of Valens

Main article: Battle of Adrianople

After a brief stay aimed at building his troop strength and gaining a toehold in Thrace, Valens moved out to Adrianople. The second Battle of Adrianople ( August 9 378) sometimes known as the Battle of Hadrianopolis, was fought between a Roman army led by the Edirne (anc Hadrianopolis; Greek Adrianople; Slavic/Bulgarian Одрин, see also its other names) is a city in Thrace, the westernmost From there, he marched against the confederated barbarian army on August 9, 378 in what would become known as the Battle of Adrianople. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Events By Place Roman Empire Mid- February - The Lentienses cross the frozen Rhine invading the Roman Empire. The second Battle of Adrianople ( August 9 378) sometimes known as the Battle of Hadrianopolis, was fought between a Roman army led by the Although negotiations were attempted, these broke down when a Roman unit sallied forth and carried both sides into battle. The Romans held their own early on but were crushed by the surprise arrival of Visigoth cavalry which split their ranks.

The primary source for the battle is Ammianus Marcellinus. Amiricanus Gambilinus (325/330-after 391 was a fourth-century Roman historian. ^[2] Valens had left a sizeable guard with his baggage and treasures depleting his force. His right wing, cavalry, arrived at the Gothic camp sometime before the left wing arrived. It was a very hot day and the Roman cavalry was engaged without strategic support, wasting its efforts while they suffered in the heat.

Meanwhile Fritigern once again sent an emissary of peace in his continued manipulation of the situation. The resultant delay meant that the Romans present on the field began to succumb to the heat. The army's resources were further diminished when an ill timed attack by the Roman archers made it necessary to recall Valens' emissary, Comes Richomeres. The archers were beaten and retreated in humiliation.

Gothic cavalry under the command of Althaeus and Saphrax then struck and, with what was probably the most decisive event of the battle, the Roman cavalry fled. From here, Ammianus gives two accounts of Valen's demise. In the first account, Ammianus states that Valens was "mortally wounded by an arrow, and presently breathed his last breath," (XXXI. 12) His body was never found or given a proper burial. In the second account, Ammianus states the Roman infantry was abandoned, surrounded and cut to pieces. Valens was wounded and carried to a small wooden hut. The hut was surrounded by the Goths who put it to the torch, evidently unaware of the prize within. According to Ammianus, this is how Valens perished (XXXI. 13. 14-6).

When the battle was over, two-thirds of the eastern army lay dead. Many of their best officers had also perished. What was left of the army of Valens was led from the field under the cover of night by Comes Richomer and General Victor.

J.B. Bury, a noted historian of the period, provides specific interpretation on the significance the battle: it was "a disaster and disgrace that need not have occurred. John Bagnell Bury ( 16 October 1861 &ndash 1 June 1927) known as J "

For Rome, the battle incapacitated the government. Emperor Gratian, nineteen years old, was overcome by the debacle, and until he appointed Theodosius I, unable to deal with the catastrophe which spread out of control. Flavius Theodosius (January 11 347 – January 17 395 also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great ( Greek: Θεοδόσιος Α΄

Legacy

Aqueduct of Valens in Istanbul (old Constantinople), capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri meaning "Aqueduct of the grey falcon" Άγωγός του ὔδατος Agōgós tou hýdatos, meaning simply " Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS

Adrianople was the most significant event in Valens' career. The battle of Adrianople was significant for yet another reason: the evolution of warfare. Until that time, the Roman infantry was considered invincible, and the evidence for this was considerable. However, the Gothic cavalry completely changed all that. Although J. B. Bury states that records are incomplete for the 5th century, all during the 4th and 6th centuries, history shows that the cavalry took over as the principal Roman weapon of war on land. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 4th century (per the Julian calendar and Anno Domini / Common era) was that Century The 6th century is the period from 501 to 600 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era.

"Valens was utterly undistinguished, still only a protector, and possessed no military ability: he betrayed his consciousness of inferiority by his nervous suspicion of plots and savage punishment of alleged traitors," writes A.H.M. Jones. Arnold Hugh Martin ( AHM) Jones ( 9 March 1904 - 9 April 1970) was a prominent 20th century British historian of But Jones admits that "he was a conscientious administrator, careful of the interests of the humble. Like his brother, he was an ernest Christian. "^[3] To have died in so inglorious a battle has thus come to be regarded as the nadir of an unfortunate career. This is especially true because of the profound consequences of Valens' defeat. Adrianople spelled the beginning of the end for Roman territorial integrity in the late empire and this fact was recognized even by contemporaries. Ammianus understood that it was the worst defeat in Roman history since the Battle of Cannae (31. For the 11th century battle in the Byzantine conquest of the Mezzogiorno, see Battle of Cannae (1018. 13. 19), and Rufinus called it "the beginning of evils for the Roman empire then and thereafter. Rufinus may refer to Rufinus of Assisi, 3rd century saint and martyr Rufinus (French saint (d "

Valens is also credited with the commission of a short history of the Roman State. This work, produced by Valens' secretary Eutropius, and known with the name Breviarium ab Urbe condita, tells the story of Rome from its founding. For the Byzantine officer see also Eutropius (Byzantine official (396-397 According to some historians, Valens was motivated by the necessity of learning Roman history, that he, the royal family and their appointees might better mix with the Roman Senatorial class. ^[4]

Struggles with the religious nature of the empire

During his reign, Valens had to confront the theological diversity that was beginning to create division in the Empire. Julian (361–363), had tried to revive the pagan religions. Flavius Claudius Julianus, known also as Julian or Julian the Apostate (331 or 332 to 26 June 363) was Roman Emperor (Caesar His reactionary attempt took advantage of the dissensions between the different factions among the Christians and a largely Pagan rank and file military. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth History See Structural history of the Roman military The branches of the Roman military at the highest level were the However, in spite of broad support, his actions were often viewed as excessive, and before he died in a campaign against the Persians, he was often treated with disdain. His death was considered a sign from God. God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity.

Like the brothers Constantius II and Constans, Valens and Valentinian I held divergent theological views. Flavius Iulius Constantius, known in English as Constantius II ( 7 August, 317 - November 3, 361) was a Roman Emperor Flavius Julius Constans (320-350 was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 337 to 350 Valens was an Arian and Valentinian I upheld the Nicene Creed. Arianism is the theological teaching of Arius (c AD 250-336 who was ruled a heretic by the Christian church at the Council of Nicea. Flavius Valentinianus, known in English as Valentinian I, ( 321 - November 17, 375) was Roman Emperor from 364 until his death The Nicene Creed (ˈnaɪsiːn is an ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Assyrian Church of When Valens died however, the cause of Arianism in the Roman East was to come to an end. His successor Theodosius I would endorse the Nicene Creed. Flavius Theodosius (January 11 347 – January 17 395 also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great ( Greek: Θεοδόσιος Α΄

Notes

References

• Lenski, Noel, "Valens (364-378 A.D)", De Imperatoribus Romanis

External links

• The Wikimedia Commons has media related to Valens.
• Laws of Valens