Valens
Who was Valens?
Roman emperor from 364 to 378
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Valens (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Flavius Julius Valens was Roman emperor from 364 to 378 CE, ruling the eastern half of the empire during a period of significant military and administrative challenges. Born in 328 in Vinkovci (modern-day Croatia), he came from a relatively modest background and pursued a military career that was largely unremarkable until his unexpected elevation to imperial power. His rise to the throne came through his elder brother Valentinian I, who appointed him co-emperor and granted him control over the eastern territories of the Roman Empire.
As emperor, Valens faced constant pressure from both internal rebellions and external threats. His early reign was marked by the successful suppression of the usurper Procopius in 366, though his initial response was characterized by hesitation and uncertainty. He subsequently conducted campaigns against Gothic tribes across the Danube in 367 and 369, achieving temporary stability on the northern frontier. Much of his reign was consumed by conflicts on the eastern border, where he confronted the persistent threat of Persian expansion, particularly regarding control over Armenia. He also dealt with incursions by Saracen tribes and rebellions in Isauria.
Valens demonstrated considerable administrative competence, implementing policies that reduced the tax burden on the empire's population and undertaking significant infrastructure projects. His most notable construction achievement was the Aqueduct of Valens in Constantinople, which exceeded the combined length of all Roman aqueducts and provided essential water supply to the eastern capital. Despite these accomplishments, contemporary sources describe him as indecisive and easily influenced by advisors, traits that affected his military and political effectiveness.
The emperor's reign came to a catastrophic end during the Gothic War of 376-378. Following a poorly managed attempt to settle Gothic refugees in the Balkans, widespread rebellion erupted among the barbarian tribes. Valens returned from his eastern campaigns to personally confront the Gothic threat, but coordination failures with his nephew Gratian, who ruled the western empire, and tactical errors led to disaster. On August 9, 378, Valens and a substantial portion of the eastern Roman army were destroyed at the Battle of Adrianople (modern Edirne, Turkey). His death in this battle shocked the Roman world and marked a turning point in barbarian-Roman relations, ushering in an era of increased barbarian settlement and influence within Roman territory.
Before Fame
Valens was born into a family of modest means in Vinkovci, Pannonia Secunda, during a period when the Roman Empire faced increasing pressure from barbarian tribes and internal instability. His early military career was unremarkable, following the typical path of a provincial officer without particular distinction or notable achievements. The trajectory of his life changed dramatically when his elder brother Valentinian I seized imperial power in 364 following the death of Emperor Jovian.
Recognizing the immense challenges facing the empire and the difficulty of governing both eastern and western territories effectively, Valentinian I made the strategic decision to divide imperial responsibilities. Rather than ruling alone, he appointed his brother as co-emperor, granting him authority over the eastern provinces while retaining control of the west. This appointment transformed Valens from an obscure military officer into one of the most powerful men in the Roman world, though it also placed him in a position for which his previous experience had not fully prepared him.
Key Achievements
- Successfully suppressed the rebellion of usurper Procopius in 366 CE
- Constructed the Aqueduct of Valens in Constantinople, the longest aqueduct in the Roman world
- Conducted successful military campaigns against Gothic tribes across the Danube in 367-369
- Implemented administrative reforms that significantly reduced taxation burden on the eastern empire
- Maintained eastern frontier stability against Persian threats for over a decade
Did You Know?
- 01.Valens was an Arian Christian who persecuted Nicene Orthodox Christians, exiling prominent bishops including Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus
- 02.He consulted soothsayers and practiced divination, leading to numerous treason trials against those suspected of magical practices or seeking to divine the identity of future emperors
- 03.The Aqueduct of Valens he built in Constantinople remained in use for over 1,000 years and parts of it still stand today
- 04.His body was never found after the Battle of Adrianople, with some accounts claiming he was burned alive in a peasant's hut where he had sought refuge
- 05.He was reportedly so tall that he had to duck when passing through standard doorways