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____ Valentinian I
Birth: 321 Cibalis Pannonia, Roman Empire
Death: 17 Nov 375 Brigetio, Pannonia, Roman Empire
Notes
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jweber&id=I04725
Valentinian I, Latin in full Flavius Valentinianus (b. 321 - d. 17 Nov 375, Brigetio,
Pannonia Inferior), Roman emperor from 364 to 375 who skillfully and successfully
defended the frontiers of the Western Empire against Germanic invasions.
Valentinian, the son of an army officer stationed in Pannonia (in central Europe),
joined the army and served with his father in Africa. According to some sources, when
Valentinian was a tribune in the forces of Julian the Apostate (emperor 360-363), he
was disgraced for refusal to renounce Christianity. He did serve, however, in Julian's
Persian expedition of 363, and was promoted by Julian's successor, Jovian, who died
soon afterward (17 Feb 364).
Nine days later the commanders of the army proclaimed Valentinian emperor at Nicaea
(modern Iznik, Turkey). On March 28 he appointed his younger brother Valens as co-
ruler and assigned him to govern the East, while Valentinian retained the West. Both
agreed to allow religious toleration, which, unlike Valens, Valentinian maintained
throughout his reign.
Displaying inexhaustible energy, Valentinian set about fortifying and defending the
borders. In January 365, his generals in Gaul were defeated by the Germanic
Alemanni; by October, Valentinian had set up residence in Paris from which he
directed operations against the invaders. His general Jovinus defeated them three
times. At Durocatalaunum (modern Chalons-sur-Marne, France), the third engagement,
Jovinus inflicted heavy casualties on the Alemanni, securing Gaul for years to come.
Meanwhile, in 367, the Emperor moved to Ambiani (modern Amiens, France) to be in
closer communication with his general Theodosius (father of the Later Emperor
Theodosius I), who was defending Britain from Saxon, Pictish, and Scottish invaders.
In order to strengthen the line of succession, Valentinian proclaimed (24 Aug 367) his
nine-year-old son, Gratian, as co-emperor. Two months later Valentinian took up
residence at Trier (now in Germany). He remained there for seven years, devoting his
attention to the construction of an elaborate system of fortifications on the Rhine.
Then, an invasion of Pannonia by the Quadi in 275 brought Valentinian to Sirmium
(modern Sremska Metrovica, Yugoslavia), where he soon fell sick and died.
Despite his achievements, Valentinian gained a reputation for irritability and cruelty.
He frequently chose ministers of the worst character who ruthlessly oppressed
provincials.
[Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1995]
Parents
OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Gratian (ABT 295 - )
----- ----- ()
Siblings
____ Valentinian I ( 321 - 17 Nov 375)
Marriage To ____ Justina (ABT 325 - )
m.
Notes
Children by ____ Justina ABT 325 -
OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Galla (ABT 350 - 394)
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