Valentinian I Biography and Timeline

Death of Valentinian I

Jovian dies & the Army generals decide to choose Valentian as his successor

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Succession

Names his brother Valens Emperor of the East, 1st to split the Empire

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Capital

Rules the west of the Empire from Milan

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Succession

Succeeds as Emperor of Rome, with virtual unanimity of the army

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Valentinian Elected By Troops

Following Jovian's death, senior officers selected Valentinian as Roman emperor in February 364.

Valentinian Accepts Imperial Office

Valentinian accepted acclamation at Nicaea and assumed responsibility for the empire's government.

Valentinian Appoints Brother Valens

Valentinian elevated his brother Valens to the imperial rank of Augustus in March 364.

Brothers Divide Imperial Administration

Valentinian took responsibility for the western provinces while Valens administered the eastern half.

Valentinian Establishes Western Court

The western emperor governed principally from important military and administrative centres including Milan and Trier.

Invasion of Germany

Launches a counter-attack against the Alamanni in the Rhineland

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Invasion of Rome

The Alamanni pour over the Rhine but are defeated in battle by Jovinus

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Valentinian Responds to Alamanni Raids

Valentinian I directed military efforts to contain Alamannic incursions in Gaul and reinforce the frontier.

Valentinian Responds To Rhine Raids

Alamannic incursions into Gaul drew the emperor's attention to security along the Rhine frontier.

Valentinian Strengthens Fortresses

Roman engineers reinforced defensive works along the western frontier under Valentinian's orders.

Valentinian Orders Rhine Watchposts

The emperor expanded installations intended to monitor crossings and movements near the Rhine.

Jovinus Campaigns In Gaul

General Jovinus won engagements against Alamannic groups during the military operations of Valentinian's reign.

Invasion of Great Britain

Launches a campaign in Britain to relieve the threat from the Picts & Saxons

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Succession

Valentinian I persuades his troops to recognize his 7 yr son as co-Augustus

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Battle of Solicinium

The Roman force is led by Emperor Valentinian I, and they managed to repel the Alamanni, but suffered heavy losses during the battle

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Valentinian Fights at Solicinium

Valentinian I led Roman troops to victory against Alamanni at the Battle of Solicinium despite substantial losses.

Valentinian Crosses Rhine Frontier

The emperor took Roman forces beyond the Rhine as part of his attempt to suppress Alamannic incursions.

Valentinian Confronts Alamannic Coalition

Military expeditions under Valentinian targeted groups whose attacks had disrupted the Gallic frontier provinces.

Valentinian Faces British Crisis

Attacks by Picts, Scots and other enemies disrupted the defence of Roman Britain in the 360s.

Valentinian Promotes Son Gratian

Gratian was raised to the rank of Augustus by his father in 367 while still a child.

Valentinian Wins Solicinium Campaign

Valentinian secured victory over Alamannic opponents at Solicinium, though Roman losses were substantial.

Valentinian Escapes Dangerous Terrain

An account of the campaign describes Valentinian being exposed to danger while fighting on difficult ground.

Valentinian Employs General Sebastianus

Sebastianus is associated with Roman operations against the Alamanni during Valentinian's western campaigns.

Valentinian Celebrates Frontier Success

Victories in Gaul strengthened the emperor's claim to have secured Roman borders against invasion.

Theodosius Reorganises British Defence

Valentinian dispatched Count Theodosius to restore military order in Britain after widespread attacks.

Alamannic Incursions Threaten Gaul

Alamannic raids into Roman Gaul formed the wider military setting for Valentinian's campaign culminating at Solicinium.

Valentinian Directs Western Response

Emperor Valentinian I personally supervised the Roman effort to counter incursions from across the Rhine frontier.

Romans Prepare Campaign Against Alamanni

Roman forces assembled to confront Alamannic fighters in the difficult terrain of the upper Rhine region.

Valentinian Orders Offensive Movement

The imperial army went on the offensive rather than remain exclusively behind the Rhine fortifications.

Roman Scouts Assess Enemy Position

Ancient narratives describe Roman efforts to locate and confront Alamannic troops occupying defensible ground.

Alamanni Occupy Elevated Ground

The Alamannic army's position on high and difficult ground complicated the Roman advance toward its opponents.

Mountain Terrain Shapes Combat

The engagement was fought in broken terrain where heights and approaches influenced Roman tactical decisions.

Valentinian Risks Personal Safety

Ammianus describes the emperor coming into personal danger while advancing during the operations against the Alamanni.

Roman Soldiers Advance Uphill

The attacking Roman troops had to cope with difficult slopes as they closed with Alamannic opponents.

Valentinian Directs Battle Formation

The emperor's presence at the battle placed the conduct of the operation under direct imperial scrutiny.

Sebastianus Commands Roman Forces

The officer Sebastianus is named in accounts of the military operations directed against Alamannic opponents.