Flavius Valentinianus
Dynasty: Family of Valentinian
Augustus (AD 364-375)Valentinian I was the son of the Comes Gratian, and a renowned Christian general that was exiled during the pagan reign of Julian. On Julian's death, in AD 363, he returned to Court and when Jovian died, in AD 364, Valentinian was eventually chosen as his successor. He immediately appointed his brother Valens as co-emperor and moved to the West to strengthen the frontiers and push the plundering Germans out. He did not rule wisely, but he ruled firmly and was known for his cruelty: “… his naturally hot temper made him more prone to severity” (Ammianus, 30.8.2). However, in general Valentinian's policy was of toleration to the old religion. Valentinian raised his young son to be his co-Augustus with him in the West in AD 367. While granting an audience to a deputation from the defeated Quadi in AD 375, he became so apoplectic at their demands that he had a fit and died: “... the Quadi sent ambassadors with unreasonable demands, at which Valentinian was so infuriated that he did not survive his frenzied anger; the blood rushed down to his mouth and choked him” (Zosimus 4.17.2).
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