Biography of Emperor Valentinianus I

Valentinianus I was a Roman emperor who ruled from 364 to 375 CE. He is considered one of the last great emperors of the western Roman Empire, as he restored stability and prosperity after a period of turmoil and crisis. He also defended the empire against various barbarian invasions, especially from the Alamanni, the Saxons, and the Quadi.

Valentinianus was born in 321 CE in Cibalae, a town in Pannonia (modern Croatia). He came from a humble family of Illyrian origin, but he rose through the ranks of the army and became a high-ranking officer under Emperor Julian. When Julian died in 363 CE during his campaign against the Persians, his successor Jovian appointed Valentinianus as his co-emperor. However, Jovian died only a few months later, and Valentinianus was proclaimed sole emperor by the army in Nicaea.

Valentinianus realized that the empire was too large and complex to be ruled by one man, so he decided to divide it into two halves. He kept the western part for himself and gave the eastern part to his younger brother Valens. He also appointed two sons from his first marriage, Gratian and Valentinian II, as his co-emperors in Gaul and Italy respectively. He then moved his capital to Milan, where he established a strong administration and a powerful army.

One of the main challenges that Valentinianus faced was the threat of barbarian invasions along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. He fought several campaigns against the Alamanni, who raided Gaul and Raetia, and defeated them decisively at the Battle of Solicinium in 367 CE. He also repelled the attacks of the Saxons, who plundered Britain and northern Gaul, and built a series of fortifications along the coast to prevent further raids. He also waged war against the Quadi, who invaded Pannonia and Noricum, and forced them to pay tribute and accept Roman garrisons.

Valentinianus was not only a successful military leader, but also a competent administrator and legislator. He reformed the tax system, improved the coinage, promoted agriculture and trade, and supported public works and education. He also issued laws to protect the rights of women, children, slaves, and peasants. He was tolerant of different religions, but he opposed heresy and paganism. He supported orthodox Christianity and convened several councils to settle doctrinal disputes.

Valentinianus died in 375 CE in Brigetio (modern Hungary), while preparing for another campaign against the Quadi. He suffered a stroke after losing his temper with some envoys who had come to negotiate peace. He was succeeded by his sons Gratian and Valentinian II in the west, and by his brother Valens in the east. His death marked the end of an era of relative peace and prosperity for the western Roman Empire, which soon faced more invasions and internal conflicts that led to its eventual collapse.