69*GRATIAN (24; r.367-383) (W→all→Gaul)
Britain, the ‘Barbarian Conspiracy’ (367-369)
The forts of Hadrian’s Wall served as bases for infantry and stations for cavalry and scouts. For about a hundred years this had remained the frontier between Roman Britain and Scotland, and generally there was peace along the wall. Then, in the second half of the fourth century, the tribes started pouring over the wall and sweeping around it by sea. Scotti from Ireland freely raided the coast.
In 367 the Picts, Scotii and Atacotti broke through the wall, in concert with Franks and Saxons who attacked the coast of Gaul, helped by the treachery of some of the areani (=frontier forces). Fullofaudes, dux (=duke) of Britanniarum, was besieged; and comes Nectaridus, possibly the Count of the litus Saxonicum (=Saxon Shore), was presumably killed. The barbarians then broke up: bands raided the countryside.
In 367 Valentinian fell seriously ill. When he recovered, to secure his succession, he raised his eight-year old son, 34Flavius Gratianus to the position of co-emperor in the West. In 368 Valentinian and Gratianus were on the march against the Alamanni when the news arrived from Britain. Unable to go there in person Valentinian therefore sent Severus, the emperor’s comes domesticorum, who was soon replaced by Jovinus, the magister equitum. Continuing bad reports led to the appointment of 35Flavius Theodosius the Elder (c.66; fl.373-376), whose son was to be the emperor Theodosius-I.
He landed at Rutupiae (=Richborough) and was followed by the Batavi, Heruli, Jovii and Victores units. From there he marched on Londinium, which he seems to have made his headquarters. He destroyed barbarian bands and deserters were recalled with the promises of pardon.
At this moment a revolt broke out led by Valentinus, a Pannonian who had been banished to Britain, but the plot was uncovered and its leader executed. By 369 order had been restored, town-fortifications repaired, forts rebuilt and the frontier regarrisoned, while the treacherous frontier militia, the areani, were removed. Territory in the north was recovered, and a new, fifth province of Valentia (its location is still unclear) was created.
Valens and Persia
| Battle: Bagrevand | Armenia | Traianus+Vadomarius/Shapur II | 371 |
In 365 Shapur II plundered large areas of Armenia, but withdrew when Arsaces II moved to confront him. However, the damage to Arsaces’ prestige was done; most of the Armenian nakharar (feudal nobles) defected to Shapur. Late in 367 Arsaces, bowing to the inevitable, accepted Shapur’s invitation to a banquet, where he was seized, blinded and imprisoned.
Arsaces wife, Paranjem, and their son, Papes (21; r.370-374), retreated to the fortress of Artogerassa, which Shapur now put him under siege. In winter 367/8 Papes escaped and joined Valens, possibly at Marcianopolis.
In summer 369 Valens sent a Roman general, comes 09Terentius, to escort Papes back to Armenia, and in the following year he sent dispatched his magister peditum 36Flavius Arinthaeus (fl.354-378) with a greater force to install Papes on the Armenian throne.
Subsequent to Jovian’s treaty in 363, Shapur had invaded Caucasus Iberia and removed Sauromaces II (r.361-363, 370-378), the pro-Roman ruler of Caucasus Iberia, and replaced him with his cousin Aspacures II (r.363-365). In a vigorous campaign Arinthaeus restored Sauromaces the Iberian throne, but the king appointed by the Persians, Mihrdat III (r.365-380), retained control of the eastern part of the kingdom
In 371 Shapur’s forces were bested by Valens’ generals Traianus (fl.367-398) and Vadomarius (fl.354-373) at Bagrevand in Armenia. Shortly after this a truce was agreed that developed into a quasi-peace that held for the next five years.
Firmus (usurper; North Africa) (372-375)
When 37Flavius Nubel, a commander of a regional cavalry unit in Mauritania, died a power struggle broke out inside his family. Firmus killed his half-brother Sammac, who had been supported by the Roman authorities. Subsequently, between 372 and 375, Firmus led an uprising against the comes Africae Romanus. All Nubel’s sons fought with Firmus except Gildo, who stayed loyal to the Roman government. Firmus’ troops may have proclaimed him augustus in 372.
Valentinian in response sent Theodosius the Elder (usually known as Count Theodosius). In 375 Firmus’ brother Mazuca died fighting Theodosius, Firmus himself committed suicide, and of all his brothers only Gildo and Mascezel survived.
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