Valentinian I Strengthens the Line of Succession:…

Jovian had surrendered Rome's much disputed claim to control over Armenia in 363, and Shapur II, being eager to make good on this new opportunity, had begun enticing Armenian lords over to his camp, eventually forcing the defection of the Arsacid Armenian king, Arshak II, whom he had quickly arrested and incarcerated.

Shapur had then sent an invasion force to seize Caucasian Iberia and a second to besiege Arshak's son, Pap, in the fortress of Artogerassa, probably in 367.

By the following spring, Pap has engineered his escape from the fortress and flight to Valens, whom he seems to have met at Marcianople, Valens’s winter quarters, while campaigning against the Goths.

A Danube flood in spring 368 prevents Valens from crossing; instead the emperor occupies his troops with the construction of fortifications.

Valens next wages war on the Thervings, now settled agriculturists in Dacia, who had aided Procopius and are threatening to invade Thrace.

The Tervingi, at this time under the leadership of Athanaric, had apparently remained peaceful since their defeat under Constantine in 332.

The Emperor, furious at their support of the late would-be usurper, crosses the Danube in May 367 and devastates the Gothic territories in modern Romania.

The Thervings flee into the Carpathian Mountains, and elude Valens' advance, forcing him to return later in the summer.

Julian had recalled Aëtius of Antioch from exile, bestowed upon him an estate in Lesbos, and retained him for a time at his court in Constantinople.

Having been consecrated as a bishop, Aëtius had used his office in the interests of Arianism by creating other bishops of that party.

At the accession of Valens in 364, Aëtius had retired to his estate at Lesbos, but soon returned to Constantinople, where he dies in 367.

Eunomius of Cyzicus, deposed from his bishopric by Constantius for his extreme Arianist views, had resided in Constantinople during the reigns of Julian and Jovian, in close intercourse with his mentor Aëtius, consolidating an heretical party and consecrating schismatical bishops.

He had then gone to live at Chalcedon, whence in 367 he is banished to Mauretania for harboring the rebel Procopius.

He is recalled, however, before he reaches his destination.

Valentinian I at Ambiani (Amiens) and Roman Britain’s Defense (367 CE)

In 367 CE, Emperor Valentinian I moved his imperial residence to Ambiani (modern Amiens, France) to better coordinate military operations with his general, Theodosius (father of the future Emperor Theodosius I). Theodosius was leading Roman efforts to defend Britain, which was under siege from multiple barbarian groups, including the Saxons, Picts, and Scots.

1. The Strategic Importance of Ambiani

• Ambiani was closer to the northern coast of Gaul, allowing for better communication and rapid troop movement between the continent and Britain.
• From this position, Valentinian could:
  • Monitor and reinforce the Rhine frontier against Alemanni incursions.
  • Oversee naval operations supporting Theodosius’ campaign in Britain.
  • Strengthen Roman defenses along the North Sea and English Channel, both vulnerable to Saxon piracy.

2. Roman Amiens: A Major Urban and Military Center

• Recent excavations near the city hall and the Palace of Justice have revealed the remains of:
  • A large forum, indicating significant civic and administrative activity.
  • Thermal baths, suggesting a well-developed Romanized urban culture.
  • An amphitheater, built for a larger population than Londinium (London) or Lutetia (Paris) at the time.
• These findings suggest that Ambiani was a more important city in Roman Gaul than previously thought, serving as a regional economic and strategic hub.

3. Theodosius’ Defense of Britain and the Great Conspiracy

• Theodosius was in Britain responding to what Roman historians later called the Great Conspiracy (367 CE)—a coordinated invasion of Roman Britain by:
  • The Picts from Scotland.
  • The Scots from Ireland.
  • The Saxons from northern Germany and Denmark.
• Roman control in Britain had weakened due to prior imperial instability, and Valentinian’s decision to prioritize the island’s defense reflected its importance to the empire.

4. Valentinian’s Legacy and Military Reforms

• Valentinian’s decision to relocate to Ambiani showed his hands-on approach to military strategy.
• His reign was marked by:
  • Massive frontier fortifications, reinforcing Rome’s defenses along the Rhine, the Danube, and Britain.
  • Supporting competent generals like Theodosius, ensuring that the empire’s provinces remained protected from external threats.

5. Conclusion: The Strengthening of Rome’s Northwestern Provinces

• Valentinian’s presence in Ambiani reinforced Rome’s position in northern Gaul, allowing him to effectively manage both the Rhine and British frontiers.
• The archaeological findings confirm that Amiens was one of the largest and most developed cities in Roman Gaul, comparable in size to London and Paris at the time.
• His efforts in military defense and urban development helped stabilize the western provinces, delaying the collapse of Roman Britain and Gaul for several more decades.

Through his strategic relocation, military focus, and urban investment, Valentinian I demonstrated his commitment to protecting the empire’s northern frontiers, reinforcing his legacy as one of Rome’s last great military emperors.

Valentinian takes up residence at Augusta Trevorum, (present Trier, now in Germany) in late September 367.

The Roman garrison on Hadrian's Wall rebels in the winter of 367, and allows Picts from Caledonia to enter Britannia.

Simultaneously, Attacotti, Scotti from Hibernia, and Saxons from Germania, land in coordinated and pre-arranged waves on the island's midwestern and southeastern borders, respectively.

Franks and Saxons also land in northern Gaul.

These warbands manage to overwhelm nearly all of the loyal Roman outposts and settlements.

The entire western and northern areas of Britannia are overwhelmed, the cities sacked and the civilian Romano-British murdered, raped, or enslaved.

Nectaridus, the Count of the Saxon Shore, is killed and the dux britanniarum, Fullofaudes, is either besieged or captured, the remaining loyal army units staying garrisoned inside southeastern cities.

The areani or local agents whom the Romans pay to provide intelligence on barbarian movements seem to have betrayed their paymasters for bribes, making the attacks completely unexpected.

Deserting soldiers and escaped slaves roam the countryside and turn to robbery to support themselves.

Although the chaos is widespread and initially concerted, the aims of the rebels are simply personal enrichment and they work as small bands rather than larger armies.

Emperor Valentinian, campaigning against the Alamanni at the time, is unable to respond personally.

A series of commanders to act in his stead are chosen but swiftly recalled.

The first was Severus, the emperor's comes domesticorum, soon replaced by Jovinus, the magister equitum; rumors of disasters dog them, however, and almost fifteen months before a capable replacement is sent.

Jovinus' Victories Over the Alemanni and the Securing of Gaul (366–367 CE)

During the reign of Valentinian I (r. 364–375 CE), his general Jovinus achieved a series of significant victories over the Alemanni, securing the Rhine frontier and stabilizing Gaul for years. The third and most decisive battle took place at Durocatalaunum (modern Châlons-sur-Marne, France), where Jovinus inflicted heavy casualties on the Alemanni, ensuring a period of Roman dominance in the region.

1. The Alemanni Threat and Roman Response

• Throughout the mid-4th century, the Alemanni had been a persistent threat to Roman Gaul, frequently crossing the Rhine frontier and conducting raids deep into Roman territory.
• Valentinian I, a highly militarized emperor, sought to eliminate this threat, assigning Jovinus, one of his most capable generals, to lead Roman forces against the Germanic invaders.

2. The Three Victories of Jovinus Against the Alemanni

• First Engagement (c. 366 CE) – Jovinus defeated an invading Alemannic force, pushing them back across the Rhine.
• Second Engagement (c. 367 CE) – Another major Roman victory further weakened the Alemanni, limiting their ability to launch large-scale raids.
• Third Engagement at Durocatalaunum (Châlons-sur-Marne, 367 CE) –
  • This was the decisive battle in the campaign.
  • Jovinus inflicted devastating casualties, effectively breaking Alemannic resistance in Gaul.
  • The Alemanni were forced into a prolonged period of retreat, securing Roman dominance in northeastern Gaul.

3. The Consequences of Jovinus’ Victories

• Gaul was secured for years, ensuring relative stability in the province.
• The Rhine frontier was reinforced, preventing large-scale incursions from Germanic tribes.
• Valentinian I’s military strategy proved effective, strengthening Rome’s control over its western provinces.

4. Conclusion: A Critical Victory for Rome

Jovinus’ series of victories over the Alemanni, culminating in the Battle of Durocatalaunum (367 CE), marked a major success for Rome in its efforts to defend Gaul. His military skill and decisive leadership ensured that the region remained in Roman hands, delaying the barbarian pressures that would eventually contribute to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century.

The inhabitants of southern Britain have abandoned their rural settlements for fortified urban centers in the wake of the successful seaborne attacks by the Picts of Scotland and the Scots of Ireland; commerce and agriculture suffer greatly.

There is little damage however, to towns or villas, though the frontier and forts behind it sustain severe damage.

A a relief force commanded by Count Theodosius in the spring of 368 arrives in Britannia from Gaul.

He brings with him four units, Batavi, Heruli, Iovii and Victores, as well as his son, the later Emperor Theodosius I and probably the later usurper Magnus Maximus.

He marches from Richborough to Londinium and begins to deal with the invaders.

An amnesty is promised to deserters which enables Theodosius to re-garrison abandoned forts.

A new dux britanniarum is appointed, Dulcitius, with Civilis granted vicarius status to head a new civilian administration.

By the end of the year, the barbarians have been driven back to their homelands; the mutineers have been executed; Hadrian's Wall has been retaken; and order returns to the province.

Baekje reaches its greatest geographic extent and political power under Geunchogo, expanding Baekje's territory to the north through war against Goguryeo, while annexing the remaining Mahan societies in the south in 369, completing Baekje's control over all of present-day Jeolla-do.

Gaya confederacy states west of the Nakdong River were also made Baekje dependencies.

During Geunchogo's reign, the territories of Baekje include most of the western Korean Peninsula (except the two Pyeongan provinces).

Baekje is invaded by Goguryeo in 369, but counterattacks in force at the battle of Chiyang.