# Valens

> Roman emperor from 364 to 378

**Wikidata**: [Q172471](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q172471)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valens)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valens

## Summary
Valens was a Roman emperor who ruled from 364 to 378, known for his role in the late Roman Empire. As a military officer and politician, he governed the eastern half of the empire during a turbulent period marked by conflicts and administrative challenges.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 1, 328
- **Died**: August 9, 378
- **Nationality**: Roman
- **Occupation**: Emperor, Military Officer, Politician
- **Known for**: Serving as Roman emperor from 364 to 378
- **Field(s)**: Governance, Military Leadership

## Contributions
Valens contributed to the governance and military leadership of the Roman Empire during his reign. His rule was marked by efforts to maintain stability in the eastern provinces, though his reign ended with his death in the Battle of Adrianople in 378.

## FAQs
**Who was Valens?**
Valens was a Roman emperor who ruled from 364 to 378, known for his military and political leadership during a critical period in the late Roman Empire.

**What was Valens' role in the Roman Empire?**
Valens served as the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, focusing on governance, military campaigns, and maintaining stability in the face of external threats.

**When did Valens rule?**
Valens ruled as Roman emperor from 364 to 378, a period marked by significant military conflicts and administrative challenges.

**How did Valens die?**
Valens died on August 9, 378, during the Battle of Adrianople, a major conflict against the Goths that resulted in a significant Roman defeat.

## Why They Matter
Valens' reign was pivotal in the late Roman Empire, as he navigated complex political and military landscapes. His leadership during this period influenced the trajectory of the empire, particularly in the eastern provinces. His death at the Battle of Adrianople marked a turning point in Roman military history, highlighting the challenges faced by the empire in the late 4th century.

## Notable For
- Serving as Roman emperor from 364 to 378.
- Leading military campaigns during a turbulent period in the late Roman Empire.
- Dying in the Battle of Adrianople in 378, a significant event in Roman military history.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Valens was born on January 1, 328, and rose to prominence as a military officer and politician in the Roman Empire. His early life details are sparse, but his career trajectory led him to the highest office in the empire.

### Reign as Emperor
Valens became the Roman emperor in 364, ruling the eastern half of the empire. His reign was characterized by efforts to maintain stability and address military threats, particularly from the Goths. He worked alongside his brother, Valentinian I, who ruled the western half of the empire.

### Military Campaigns
Valens' military leadership was tested during his reign, culminating in the Battle of Adrianople in 378. This battle, against the Goths, resulted in a significant Roman defeat and Valens' death on August 9, 378. The battle is often cited as a turning point in Roman military history, marking the beginning of the end for the Western Roman Empire.

### Legacy
Valens' reign and death had lasting implications for the Roman Empire. His efforts to govern the eastern provinces and his military campaigns are studied as part of the broader context of the late Roman Empire's challenges and eventual decline.

## References

1. LIBRIS. 2012
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. IdRef
7. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
8. Q45268045
9. Dizionario di Storia
10. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands