VALENTINIAN
Flavius Valentinianus, also known as Valentinian I, served as emperor from 364 until 375. Born in Pannonia, he was considered the last great western emperor. He had been an efficient leader with only one character flaw, that he had been known to be short-tempered and fierce.
Before becoming emperor, he arose in the imperial service an officer under Jovian and Julian. He had been an effective military leader and was chosen by his fellow officers to succeed the throne of Jovian. On February 26th, 364 he was named as Western emperor in Bythinia. Soon after, his brother Valens was chosen as his co-emperor. Valentinian took control over the following provinces: Hispania, Gauls, Balkan Peninsula, Italia, Illyricum, and Africa.
Valens was left to manage the Eastern empire: Greece, Syria, Asia Minor (up to Persia), half of the Balkan Peninsula and Aegyptus. The brothers were immediately faced with the revolt of Procopius, a relative of the past emperor Julian. Valens defeated Procopius in 236 at Thatria in Lydia and Procopius was executed after his defeat. The Romans also had to face wars in Britain, Germany and Rome and collided with Saxon and Burgundian barbarians.
Valentinian first settled in Italy in Milan. In 365 he moved to Paris and then to Reims to wage battle against the Alamannis. During the period of Jovinus, the Alamannis had already reatreated to the German Bank of the Rhine. By 367, these people were able to cross the Rhine and made a successful attack of Moguniacum (Mainz).
Valentianian was able to defeat them by bringing a large army to Solicinium and waging a bloody war against them. Valentinian decided against a follow up of this operation because although he succeeded, the operation also caused them many lives. At the latter part of 374, Valentinian made peace with the Alamanni's king Macrianus. Macrianus from that time forward became an ally of the Romans. The next three years, until 377, Valentinian stayed at the Tier.
Valentinian paid attention to the needs of the poor, especially in Rome. He provided them with schools and health services. He was also open when it came to religions although he did not allow the practice of magic. He'd also been against abuses in his empire.
The empire also fought with the Saxon pirates who ravaged the area between Kent and the Antonine Wall. It was only in 368 that these barbarians were defeated by the Romans under the leadership of Theodosius who was then a count. Soon a British province was named Valentia to pay tribute to the emperor.
There had also been a revolt in Africa because the people were getting weary of the cruelty and extortions of the governor. A man named Firmus headed the revolt but he later committed suicide to prevent himself from being taken prisoner by Theodosius.
In 374, the Germanic tribe Quadi invaded and caused a great deal of distraction in Pannanoia. These men were avenging the murder of their king Gabinus and were angry that the Romans built forts in the North of Danube, a place they considered their territory.
In April of 375, Valentinian entered Illyricum with an army to crush the rebels. However, in November of the same year, while speaking before some people of the Quadi, a blood vessel in his skull burst while he was shouting at the people gathered at Bregetio in Danube. This injury killed the emperor.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 22/07/2008
