Person details

name
Valens
gender
Male
birth year
328
death year
378
start reign
364
end reign
378
religion
Christianity
type
Emperor
description

Roman emperor of the East alongside his older brother and Western colleague Valentinian I (r. 364-375). Valens’ image as emperor is overshadowed by his death in the battle of Adrianople (378) against the Goths.

In contrast to his belligerent brother Valentinian, Valens’ achievements include reducing taxation and undertaking several building projects. He is the founder of the Baths of Anastasia, Baths of Carosia and the eponymous Valens aqueduct bridge, which is part of the similarly named Valens Waterway.

comments
The Valens aqueduct bridge is attributed incorrectly to Valens' brother Valentinian I ('Aqueduct of Valentinian') in the Middle Byzantine period.