Roman History 30 - Julian To Valens 363-370 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 146 the Spear of Rome episode 146 the Spear of Rome episode 146 the Spear of [Music] [Music] [Music] Destiny last week we covered the wide Destiny last week we covered the wide Destiny last week we covered the wide range of reforms Julian initiated after range of reforms Julian initiated after range of reforms Julian initiated after becoming becoming becoming Emperor though he is usually remembered Emperor though he is usually remembered Emperor though he is usually remembered as the man who tried to stem the tide of as the man who tried to stem the tide of as the man who tried to stem the tide of Christianity we should not forget that Christianity we should not forget that Christianity we should not forget that he was interested in more than just he was interested in more than just he was interested in more than just religion and given enough time it is religion and given enough time it is religion and given enough time it is possible that we could have been sitting possible that we could have been sitting possible that we could have been sitting here talking about Julian as a major here talking about Julian as a major here talking about Julian as a major transformative figure but instead we transformative figure but instead we transformative figure but instead we talk about him merely as a brief detour talk about him merely as a brief detour talk about him merely as a brief detour an accidental left turn noticed and an accidental left turn noticed and an accidental left turn noticed and corrected within a block of the corrected within a block of the corrected within a block of the mistake this week we will get into why mistake this week we will get into why mistake this week we will get into why Julian's Imperial course correction Julian's Imperial course correction Julian's Imperial course correction never got the Empire further down his never got the Empire further down his never got the Empire further down his pagan principate Side Road in the end it pagan principate Side Road in the end it pagan principate Side Road in the end it wasn't because of institutional barriers wasn't because of institutional barriers wasn't because of institutional barriers entrenched interests or even the entrenched interests or even the entrenched interests or even the irresistible Destiny of Christianity it irresistible Destiny of Christianity it irresistible Destiny of Christianity it was because of a forgotten breastplate was because of a forgotten breastplate was because of a forgotten breastplate and an anonymously thrown spear after a frustrating winter spent spear after a frustrating winter spent budding heads with the citizens of budding heads with the citizens of budding heads with the citizens of Antioch Julian was eager to leave behind Antioch Julian was eager to leave behind Antioch Julian was eager to leave behind the aggravating belligerency of his the aggravating belligerency of his the aggravating belligerency of his fellow citizens and focus his attention fellow citizens and focus his attention fellow citizens and focus his attention on a much easier your enemy to Grapple on a much easier your enemy to Grapple on a much easier your enemy to Grapple with the with the with the cids he didn't have to worry about cids he didn't have to worry about cids he didn't have to worry about plating the cids or making friends with plating the cids or making friends with plating the cids or making friends with the cids or even caring what the cids the cids or even caring what the cids the cids or even caring what the cids thought about his reform agenda he just

thought about his reform agenda he just thought about his reform agenda he just needed to beat the crap out of the needed to beat the crap out of the needed to beat the crap out of the cids I imagine that as much as Julian cids I imagine that as much as Julian cids I imagine that as much as Julian was looking forward to the political was looking forward to the political was looking forward to the political pounce he would get from a successful pounce he would get from a successful pounce he would get from a successful campaign in the East that he was also campaign in the East that he was also campaign in the East that he was also looking forward to the cathartic relief looking forward to the cathartic relief looking forward to the cathartic relief he would get from a good hard fight much he would get from a good hard fight much he would get from a good hard fight much to Julian's consternation however the to Julian's consternation however the to Julian's consternation however the cids were presently trying to duck that fight the Persian king shapur II spent fight the Persian king shapur II spent most of his epic Reign which was an most of his epic Reign which was an most of his epic Reign which was an amazing 70 years long vacillating amazing 70 years long vacillating amazing 70 years long vacillating between aggression and pacifism towards between aggression and pacifism towards between aggression and pacifism towards Rome and it appears that with the death Rome and it appears that with the death Rome and it appears that with the death of his old enemy constantius II that the of his old enemy constantius II that the of his old enemy constantius II that the King was ready to once again enter one King was ready to once again enter one King was ready to once again enter one of his passive of his passive of his passive phases his recent victory iies which had phases his recent victory iies which had phases his recent victory iies which had included the sack of am had turned out included the sack of am had turned out included the sack of am had turned out to have been of the puck variety that is to have been of the puck variety that is to have been of the puck variety that is the cost of the campaign far outweighed the cost of the campaign far outweighed the cost of the campaign far outweighed the the the benefit further fighting at this point benefit further fighting at this point benefit further fighting at this point would probably only shift the border would probably only shift the border would probably only shift the border between Rome and Persia a few yards in between Rome and Persia a few yards in between Rome and Persia a few yards in either direction so what was the either direction so what was the either direction so what was the point shapur reached out to Julian and point shapur reached out to Julian and point shapur reached out to Julian and tried to work out a piece agreement that tried to work out a piece agreement that tried to work out a piece agreement that would satisfy both leaders but Julian would satisfy both leaders but Julian would satisfy both leaders but Julian was not having it he had come east to was not having it he had come east to was not having it he had come east to make war on the cids not to make peace make war on the cids not to make peace make war on the cids not to make peace with the with the with the cids though the terms were reasonable cids though the terms were reasonable cids though the terms were reasonable and it is hard to see how rejecting them and it is hard to see how rejecting them and it is hard to see how rejecting them benefited Rome in the final analysis benefited Rome in the final analysis benefited Rome in the final analysis Julian had designed a game plan to take

Julian had designed a game plan to take Julian had designed a game plan to take him through the early years of his Reign him through the early years of his Reign him through the early years of his Reign and that game plan said very clearly win and that game plan said very clearly win and that game plan said very clearly win a great Victory against a great Victory against a great Victory against Persia so Julian refused to listen to Persia so Julian refused to listen to Persia so Julian refused to listen to terms if I make peace I won't be able to terms if I make peace I won't be able to terms if I make peace I won't be able to win a great Victory against Persia and win a great Victory against Persia and win a great Victory against Persia and it says very clearly right here that I it says very clearly right here that I it says very clearly right here that I need to win a great Victory against need to win a great Victory against need to win a great Victory against Persia you get the feeling like shapur Persia you get the feeling like shapur Persia you get the feeling like shapur could have offered control of the whole could have offered control of the whole could have offered control of the whole saned empire and promised to become the saned empire and promised to become the saned empire and promised to become the emperor's private foot stol and Julian emperor's private foot stol and Julian emperor's private foot stol and Julian still would have demanded a war so in March of 363 Julian left war so in March of 363 Julian left Antioch at the head of an army telling Antioch at the head of an army telling Antioch at the head of an army telling those lousy ingr Antioch on his way out those lousy ingr Antioch on his way out those lousy ingr Antioch on his way out the door that he was never ever ever the door that he was never ever ever the door that he was never ever ever coming coming coming back though the estimates for the size back though the estimates for the size back though the estimates for the size of Julian's Army vary from a low of of Julian's Army vary from a low of of Julian's Army vary from a low of 65,000 to a high of 990,000 there is one 65,000 to a high of 990,000 there is one 65,000 to a high of 990,000 there is one thing we can be sure of Julian was thing we can be sure of Julian was thing we can be sure of Julian was mustering every available Soldier he mustering every available Soldier he mustering every available Soldier he could get his hands could get his hands could get his hands on he even demanded that the king of on he even demanded that the king of on he even demanded that the king of Armenia send an auxiliary Army to help Armenia send an auxiliary Army to help Armenia send an auxiliary Army to help Shore up the Roman Shore up the Roman Shore up the Roman ranks Julian wanted nothing less than a ranks Julian wanted nothing less than a ranks Julian wanted nothing less than a total complete and overwhelming Victory total complete and overwhelming Victory total complete and overwhelming Victory and he did not want leave anything to and he did not want leave anything to and he did not want leave anything to chance however though an army the size chance however though an army the size chance however though an army the size of Julian's Eastern Invasion Force of Julian's Eastern Invasion Force of Julian's Eastern Invasion Force whatever size it actually was would have whatever size it actually was would have whatever size it actually was would have made the emperor an Unstoppable made the emperor an Unstoppable made the emperor an Unstoppable Juggernaut back in Gaul out here in

Juggernaut back in Gaul out here in Juggernaut back in Gaul out here in Syria it made him merely equal to the Syria it made him merely equal to the Syria it made him merely equal to the task by most estimates the Army shapur task by most estimates the Army shapur task by most estimates the Army shapur had in the field was able to match the had in the field was able to match the had in the field was able to match the Romans man for man when you throw in the Romans man for man when you throw in the Romans man for man when you throw in the fact that most of the soldiers in the fact that most of the soldiers in the fact that most of the soldiers in the Roman army were either recently Roman army were either recently Roman army were either recently recruited or had been transferred over recruited or had been transferred over recruited or had been transferred over from the west and were unused to Desert from the west and were unused to Desert from the west and were unused to Desert fighting well even a 100,000 men might fighting well even a 100,000 men might fighting well even a 100,000 men might not have been equal to the not have been equal to the not have been equal to the task in other words Julian might have task in other words Julian might have task in other words Julian might have thought he wasn't leaving anything to thought he wasn't leaving anything to thought he wasn't leaving anything to chance but he was still going to need a chance but he was still going to need a chance but he was still going to need a healthy dose of luck to pull this thing off Beyond questions about whether his off Beyond questions about whether his army could do what Julian wanted them to army could do what Julian wanted them to army could do what Julian wanted them to do the emperor is often criticized for do the emperor is often criticized for do the emperor is often criticized for marching East without a clear strategic marching East without a clear strategic marching East without a clear strategic aim Beyond victory for victory's aim Beyond victory for victory's aim Beyond victory for victory's sake sadly for the men of the Roman army sake sadly for the men of the Roman army sake sadly for the men of the Roman army though no one realized quite how though no one realized quite how though no one realized quite how rudderless this war actually was in the rudderless this war actually was in the rudderless this war actually was in the beginning because Julian appeared to beginning because Julian appeared to beginning because Julian appeared to have a very clear idea of what he was have a very clear idea of what he was have a very clear idea of what he was doing he was going to attack the CED doing he was going to attack the CED doing he was going to attack the CED capital of Tesson to pull this off the emperor knew Tesson to pull this off the emperor knew that he would need to keep shapur off that he would need to keep shapur off that he would need to keep shapur off his back for a little while the Persian his back for a little while the Persian his back for a little while the Persian king was up in the north near The king was up in the north near The king was up in the north near The Armenian border with the bulk of his Armenian border with the bulk of his Armenian border with the bulk of his veteran Army and that is exactly where veteran Army and that is exactly where veteran Army and that is exactly where Julian wanted him to Julian wanted him to Julian wanted him to stay to keep shapur in place Julian stay to keep shapur in place Julian stay to keep shapur in place Julian peeled off 20 to 30,000 of his men the peeled off 20 to 30,000 of his men the peeled off 20 to 30,000 of his men the variation depending on how large you variation depending on how large you variation depending on how large you think his overall Army was and sent them

think his overall Army was and sent them think his overall Army was and sent them to Fain an attack on to Fain an attack on to Fain an attack on media the emperor hoped that in the fog media the emperor hoped that in the fog media the emperor hoped that in the fog of War this decoy Invasion force would of War this decoy Invasion force would of War this decoy Invasion force would be taken for the main Invasion force and be taken for the main Invasion force and be taken for the main Invasion force and confound shapur's Reaction Time confound shapur's Reaction Time confound shapur's Reaction Time accordingly even if the king saw through the media even if the king saw through the media faint Julian reckoned that shapur would faint Julian reckoned that shapur would faint Julian reckoned that shapur would at the very least assume the Romans at the very least assume the Romans at the very least assume the Romans would be taking the easy route down the would be taking the easy route down the would be taking the easy route down the Tigers to attack Tesson and so while the Tigers to attack Tesson and so while the Tigers to attack Tesson and so while the decoy Army marched Northeast Julian decoy Army marched Northeast Julian decoy Army marched Northeast Julian himself chose the tougher but less himself chose the tougher but less himself chose the tougher but less expected route down the Euphrates despite his lack of a coherent Euphrates despite his lack of a coherent strategy Julian did not neglect his strategy Julian did not neglect his strategy Julian did not neglect his legit itical responsibilities and after legit itical responsibilities and after legit itical responsibilities and after reaching the Euphrates he Rend vued with reaching the Euphrates he Rend vued with reaching the Euphrates he Rend vued with a fleet of some thousand ships that he a fleet of some thousand ships that he a fleet of some thousand ships that he had ordered constructed to keep the food had ordered constructed to keep the food had ordered constructed to keep the food and Munitions and Munitions and Munitions flowing with his years in Gul marked by flowing with his years in Gul marked by flowing with his years in Gul marked by constant Supply problems Julian was constant Supply problems Julian was constant Supply problems Julian was making damn sure that he would not have making damn sure that he would not have making damn sure that he would not have to worry about some latterday Barbo to worry about some latterday Barbo to worry about some latterday Barbo seizing his grain and burning his Supply seizing his grain and burning his Supply seizing his grain and burning his Supply transports the preparations were transports the preparations were transports the preparations were complete by early April and Julian spent complete by early April and Julian spent complete by early April and Julian spent the next month methodically making his the next month methodically making his the next month methodically making his way south towards the CED way south towards the CED way south towards the CED Capital as the Romans marched They Capital as the Romans marched They Capital as the Romans marched They seized control of any cities or military seized control of any cities or military seized control of any cities or military outposts they happened outposts they happened outposts they happened by since the majority of these were only by since the majority of these were only by since the majority of these were only lightly garrisoned the resistance they lightly garrisoned the resistance they lightly garrisoned the resistance they met during these first few weeks was met during these first few weeks was met during these first few weeks was sporadic and

sporadic and sporadic and short-lived it wasn't until they were short-lived it wasn't until they were short-lived it wasn't until they were closing in on Tesson that Julian and his closing in on Tesson that Julian and his closing in on Tesson that Julian and his army finally ran into some real push army finally ran into some real push army finally ran into some real push back two cities in a row shut up their back two cities in a row shut up their back two cities in a row shut up their Gates and attempted to resist and though Gates and attempted to resist and though Gates and attempted to resist and though in both cases the Romans won after a in both cases the Romans won after a in both cases the Romans won after a quick hard battle the fights did Lay be quick hard battle the fights did Lay be quick hard battle the fights did Lay be the realities of Siege Warfare in the the realities of Siege Warfare in the the realities of Siege Warfare in the desert heat as the Roman army neared Tesson the heat as the Roman army neared Tesson the big question became how to get his men big question became how to get his men big question became how to get his men and his thousand ships over to the and his thousand ships over to the and his thousand ships over to the capital you see part of the reason the capital you see part of the reason the capital you see part of the reason the approach along the Tigress was easier approach along the Tigress was easier approach along the Tigress was easier was because Tesson is actually located was because Tesson is actually located was because Tesson is actually located on on The on on The on on The Tigress having tens of thousands of Tigress having tens of thousands of Tigress having tens of thousands of soldiers and 1,000 Supply ships doesn't soldiers and 1,000 Supply ships doesn't soldiers and 1,000 Supply ships doesn't do you much good if you're you know on do you much good if you're you know on do you much good if you're you know on the complete wrong the complete wrong the complete wrong river the obvious answer was to take the river the obvious answer was to take the river the obvious answer was to take the long way around that is head down to the long way around that is head down to the long way around that is head down to the Confluence of the rivers and then turn Confluence of the rivers and then turn Confluence of the rivers and then turn around and row Upstream but that route around and row Upstream but that route around and row Upstream but that route was arduous and fraught with danger and was arduous and fraught with danger and was arduous and fraught with danger and Julian had no intention of exposing his Julian had no intention of exposing his Julian had no intention of exposing his army if he didn't have to and he was army if he didn't have to and he was army if he didn't have to and he was pretty sure pretty sure pretty sure that he didn't have to you see Julian that he didn't have to you see Julian that he didn't have to you see Julian knew a little secret that had been lost knew a little secret that had been lost knew a little secret that had been lost to the to the to the ages Once Upon a Time the kings of ages Once Upon a Time the kings of ages Once Upon a Time the kings of Persia had built a canal connecting the Persia had built a canal connecting the Persia had built a canal connecting the Tigers and Euphrates rivers but due to Tigers and Euphrates rivers but due to Tigers and Euphrates rivers but due to excessive flooding the canal had long excessive flooding the canal had long excessive flooding the canal had long ago been blocked up and now sat around

ago been blocked up and now sat around ago been blocked up and now sat around as an innocuous dry as an innocuous dry as an innocuous dry ditch Julian located this Royal Canal ditch Julian located this Royal Canal ditch Julian located this Royal Canal and had his men knock out the dam that and had his men knock out the dam that and had his men knock out the dam that kept the long forgotten Channel dry kept the long forgotten Channel dry kept the long forgotten Channel dry just like that the Romans had a straight just like that the Romans had a straight just like that the Romans had a straight path from here to path from here to path from here to there thus in miday of 363 the CED there thus in miday of 363 the CED there thus in miday of 363 the CED Garrison defending Tesson was dismayed Garrison defending Tesson was dismayed Garrison defending Tesson was dismayed to discover a massive Roman Invasion to discover a massive Roman Invasion to discover a massive Roman Invasion Fleet descending on them not from the Fleet descending on them not from the Fleet descending on them not from the North or from the south where attacks North or from the south where attacks North or from the south where attacks were to be expected but from the West were to be expected but from the West were to be expected but from the West which wait which wait which wait what was shapur stalled but by this what was shapur stalled but by this what was shapur stalled but by this point no longer completely fooled by the point no longer completely fooled by the point no longer completely fooled by the decoy Army in the north the soldiers decoy Army in the north the soldiers decoy Army in the north the soldiers defending Tesson were also dismayed to defending Tesson were also dismayed to defending Tesson were also dismayed to learn that they were on their own at this point Julian had to have own at this point Julian had to have been delighted by his prospects and even been delighted by his prospects and even been delighted by his prospects and even more delighted by the result of the more delighted by the result of the more delighted by the result of the initial encounter between his men and initial encounter between his men and initial encounter between his men and the Tesson the Tesson the Tesson Garrison the Persians lined up for Garrison the Persians lined up for Garrison the Persians lined up for battle in front of the city but rather battle in front of the city but rather battle in front of the city but rather than attack them directly Julian spent than attack them directly Julian spent than attack them directly Julian spent the day loing them into a false sense of the day loing them into a false sense of the day loing them into a false sense of security by making a big show of security by making a big show of security by making a big show of settling in and not paying much settling in and not paying much settling in and not paying much attention to the opposing attention to the opposing attention to the opposing Army but as soon as night fell Julian Army but as soon as night fell Julian Army but as soon as night fell Julian ordered a surprise ordered a surprise ordered a surprise attack the resulting battle lasted well attack the resulting battle lasted well attack the resulting battle lasted well into the next day and eventually the into the next day and eventually the into the next day and eventually the SIDS were pushed back into the SIDS were pushed back into the SIDS were pushed back into the city but critically the Romans did not

city but critically the Romans did not city but critically the Romans did not immediately follow up this success and immediately follow up this success and immediately follow up this success and they retired before capturing the city they retired before capturing the city they retired before capturing the city in one Fell in one Fell in one Fell Swoop which is unfortunate because that Swoop which is unfortunate because that Swoop which is unfortunate because that day's battle would prove to be the high day's battle would prove to be the high day's battle would prove to be the high point of Julian's point of Julian's point of Julian's Invasion from that moment on it was Invasion from that moment on it was Invasion from that moment on it was pretty much all downhill the first thing that struck the downhill the first thing that struck the Roman officers the next morning and the Roman officers the next morning and the Roman officers the next morning and the first thing that makes us think that first thing that makes us think that first thing that makes us think that perhaps Julian had not thought this perhaps Julian had not thought this perhaps Julian had not thought this through fully was the impressive through fully was the impressive through fully was the impressive defensive fortifications Tesson now defensive fortifications Tesson now defensive fortifications Tesson now boasted you'll recall from past episodes boasted you'll recall from past episodes boasted you'll recall from past episodes that sacking teston was practically a that sacking teston was practically a that sacking teston was practically a right of passage for Roman emperors right of passage for Roman emperors right of passage for Roman emperors there for a while and really all they there for a while and really all they there for a while and really all they had to do was show up and the city would had to do was show up and the city would had to do was show up and the city would surrender but the advanced fortification surrender but the advanced fortification surrender but the advanced fortification techniques that had begun cropping up at techniques that had begun cropping up at techniques that had begun cropping up at the end of the 3r century were not a the end of the 3r century were not a the end of the 3r century were not a strictly Roman strictly Roman strictly Roman phenomenon even with his full Army and phenomenon even with his full Army and phenomenon even with his full Army and he was still waiting for the decoy Army he was still waiting for the decoy Army he was still waiting for the decoy Army to rejoin his main force it would take to rejoin his main force it would take to rejoin his main force it would take time and effort to dislodge the cits now time and effort to dislodge the cits now time and effort to dislodge the cits now that they were settling in for a that they were settling in for a that they were settling in for a Siege more to the point the Romans would Siege more to the point the Romans would Siege more to the point the Romans would probably be unable to take the city probably be unable to take the city probably be unable to take the city before shapur arrived with the main before shapur arrived with the main before shapur arrived with the main Persian army and even if shapur took his Persian army and even if shapur took his Persian army and even if shapur took his time getting to Tesson the Royal Canal time getting to Tesson the Royal Canal time getting to Tesson the Royal Canal the one that had been closed because of the one that had been closed because of the one that had been closed because of excessive flooding well it was now excessive flooding well it was now excessive flooding well it was now flooding and creating a malari ridden flooding and creating a malari ridden flooding and creating a malari ridden swamp for the Romans to camp

in so where did that leave them what was in so where did that leave them what was the plan the plan the plan now initially Julian argued in favor of now initially Julian argued in favor of now initially Julian argued in favor of launching The Siege anyway but in the launching The Siege anyway but in the launching The Siege anyway but in the command tent he was pummeled by a nearly command tent he was pummeled by a nearly command tent he was pummeled by a nearly unanimous officer core that told him in unanimous officer core that told him in unanimous officer core that told him in no uncertain terms that in their no uncertain terms that in their no uncertain terms that in their professional opinion a Siege would be professional opinion a Siege would be professional opinion a Siege would be suicide finally Julian relented and suicide finally Julian relented and suicide finally Julian relented and agreed to call off the agreed to call off the agreed to call off the assault so okay now that that's settled assault so okay now that that's settled assault so okay now that that's settled what's the new plan sacking Tesson would what's the new plan sacking Tesson would what's the new plan sacking Tesson would have been nice but what was the greater have been nice but what was the greater have been nice but what was the greater purpose it would have served purpose it would have served purpose it would have served it's clear we need to change our it's clear we need to change our it's clear we need to change our approach so what's our overarching approach so what's our overarching approach so what's our overarching strategic goal maybe we can rejigger our strategic goal maybe we can rejigger our strategic goal maybe we can rejigger our methods and achieve the same result are methods and achieve the same result are methods and achieve the same result are we trying to conquer Persia are we we trying to conquer Persia are we we trying to conquer Persia are we trying to remove shapur from Power are trying to remove shapur from Power are trying to remove shapur from Power are we simply trying to force him to give us we simply trying to force him to give us we simply trying to force him to give us a better peace deal what are we doing a better peace deal what are we doing a better peace deal what are we doing out out out here though we do not have a solid here though we do not have a solid here though we do not have a solid record of these meetings it appears that record of these meetings it appears that record of these meetings it appears that Julian did not really have answers to Julian did not really have answers to Julian did not really have answers to these these these questions sacking Tesson had likely been questions sacking Tesson had likely been questions sacking Tesson had likely been an end unto an end unto an end unto itself now that he had run into a wall itself now that he had run into a wall itself now that he had run into a wall literally a big thick wall Julian wasn't literally a big thick wall Julian wasn't literally a big thick wall Julian wasn't sure what to do he was going to have to sure what to do he was going to have to sure what to do he was going to have to improvise his way out of this and the improvise his way out of this and the improvise his way out of this and the plan he came up with was pretty clearly plan he came up with was pretty clearly plan he came up with was pretty clearly not in the original Playbook going back the way they had Playbook going back the way they had come would have been too difficult so

come would have been too difficult so come would have been too difficult so the emperor decided to lead his army up the emperor decided to lead his army up the emperor decided to lead his army up The Tigress river which was the quickest The Tigress river which was the quickest The Tigress river which was the quickest route back to Armenia and back to route back to Armenia and back to route back to Armenia and back to safety the Roman soldiers were safety the Roman soldiers were safety the Roman soldiers were understandably skeptical of this plan I understandably skeptical of this plan I understandably skeptical of this plan I mean isn't that the direction shapur is mean isn't that the direction shapur is mean isn't that the direction shapur is coming coming coming from but they went from skeptical to from but they went from skeptical to from but they went from skeptical to appal when they learned the next part of appal when they learned the next part of appal when they learned the next part of the plan that Julian was also planning the plan that Julian was also planning the plan that Julian was also planning to burn the Thousand Supply to burn the Thousand Supply to burn the Thousand Supply ships it would have been much too ships it would have been much too ships it would have been much too difficult to haul them all back up River difficult to haul them all back up River difficult to haul them all back up River and leaving them behind kind meant and leaving them behind kind meant and leaving them behind kind meant leaving them gift wrap for leaving them gift wrap for leaving them gift wrap for shapur but the cold logic of command is shapur but the cold logic of command is shapur but the cold logic of command is sometimes lost on the average grunt all sometimes lost on the average grunt all sometimes lost on the average grunt all the grunt sees is that the things that the grunt sees is that the things that the grunt sees is that the things that bring him food are going up in bring him food are going up in bring him food are going up in smoke so on top of having to call an smoke so on top of having to call an smoke so on top of having to call an audible in the middle of the campaign audible in the middle of the campaign audible in the middle of the campaign Julian also had to deal with the fact Julian also had to deal with the fact Julian also had to deal with the fact that his troops were now questioning his that his troops were now questioning his that his troops were now questioning his sanity and then things got really sanity and then things got really sanity and then things got really bad when she shapur Scouts reported back bad when she shapur Scouts reported back bad when she shapur Scouts reported back that the Romans were heading north up that the Romans were heading north up that the Romans were heading north up The Tigress the king responded with a The Tigress the king responded with a The Tigress the king responded with a harsh but obvious harsh but obvious harsh but obvious strategy despite Roman fears to the strategy despite Roman fears to the strategy despite Roman fears to the contrary shapur was still not looking to contrary shapur was still not looking to contrary shapur was still not looking to initiate a setpiece battle at least not initiate a setpiece battle at least not initiate a setpiece battle at least not yet so he ordered his men to pour into yet so he ordered his men to pour into yet so he ordered his men to pour into the countryside and burn every single the countryside and burn every single the countryside and burn every single edible thing they could edible thing they could edible thing they could find this scorched Earth tactic was find this scorched Earth tactic was find this scorched Earth tactic was rough on his own people but it was even rough on his own people but it was even rough on his own people but it was even rougher on the

rougher on the rougher on the Romans Julian had been expecting to be Romans Julian had been expecting to be Romans Julian had been expecting to be able to live off the land until they able to live off the land until they able to live off the land until they reached Armenia or at least until they reached Armenia or at least until they reached Armenia or at least until they met shapur in battle but instead the met shapur in battle but instead the met shapur in battle but instead the cits were keeping their distance cits were keeping their distance cits were keeping their distance offering no terms and watching as the offering no terms and watching as the offering no terms and watching as the Romans Romans Romans starved by the middle of June 363 the starved by the middle of June 363 the starved by the middle of June 363 the situation was desperate and it was at situation was desperate and it was at situation was desperate and it was at this point that Julian met his fate once he determined that the Romans fate once he determined that the Romans had been worn down by their grueling had been worn down by their grueling had been worn down by their grueling March North shapur finally ordered his March North shapur finally ordered his March North shapur finally ordered his army to begin harassing the army to begin harassing the army to begin harassing the legions skirmishes in the front and in legions skirmishes in the front and in legions skirmishes in the front and in the rear of the Roman line gave way to the rear of the Roman line gave way to the rear of the Roman line gave way to heavier fighting and pretty soon the two heavier fighting and pretty soon the two heavier fighting and pretty soon the two sides were locked in a running sides were locked in a running sides were locked in a running battle the Romans desperately attempted battle the Romans desperately attempted battle the Romans desperately attempted to push North but could make almost no to push North but could make almost no to push North but could make almost no Headway and they were averaging just a Headway and they were averaging just a Headway and they were averaging just a few miles a few miles a few miles a day but despite the bleakness of the day but despite the bleakness of the day but despite the bleakness of the situation Julian never gave up he never situation Julian never gave up he never situation Julian never gave up he never locked himself up in his tent he never locked himself up in his tent he never locked himself up in his tent he never tried to run for it and by all accounts tried to run for it and by all accounts tried to run for it and by all accounts he never even hinted that he would do he never even hinted that he would do he never even hinted that he would do either of those things he was constantly either of those things he was constantly either of those things he was constantly out in front of his men leading them out in front of his men leading them out in front of his men leading them fighting with them encouraging them fighting with them encouraging them fighting with them encouraging them there's absolutely no denying that he there's absolutely no denying that he there's absolutely no denying that he handled the situation as admirably as a handled the situation as admirably as a handled the situation as admirably as a man in his situation could there is also man in his situation could there is also man in his situation could there is also no denying that in the end this no denying that in the end this no denying that in the end this admirable conduct is what killed admirable conduct is what killed admirable conduct is what killed him

the details of Julian's death are vague the details of Julian's death are vague despite the fact that amanus marcelus despite the fact that amanus marcelus despite the fact that amanus marcelus was actually there and fought in the was actually there and fought in the was actually there and fought in the Fateful battle we still don't know Fateful battle we still don't know Fateful battle we still don't know exactly what exactly what exactly what happened which is understandable we are happened which is understandable we are happened which is understandable we are talking about a clash between tens of talking about a clash between tens of talking about a clash between tens of thousands of men here unless he was thousands of men here unless he was thousands of men here unless he was right next to the emperor even marel right next to the emperor even marel right next to the emperor even marel Linus's account is going to be Linus's account is going to be Linus's account is going to be secondhand and he wasn't right next to secondhand and he wasn't right next to secondhand and he wasn't right next to the emperor the emperor the emperor that said the standard account is that that said the standard account is that that said the standard account is that on June 26 363 ad the CID hit the Romans on June 26 363 ad the CID hit the Romans on June 26 363 ad the CID hit the Romans with a multi-pronged with a multi-pronged with a multi-pronged assault as Julian was trying to Rally assault as Julian was trying to Rally assault as Julian was trying to Rally the men on one side they were attacked the men on one side they were attacked the men on one side they were attacked from another when he rushed over to from another when he rushed over to from another when he rushed over to Rally the men on that side they were Rally the men on that side they were Rally the men on that side they were attacked from a third attacked from a third attacked from a third side in the midst of all this rushing side in the midst of all this rushing side in the midst of all this rushing around Julian had neglected to Dawn his around Julian had neglected to Dawn his around Julian had neglected to Dawn his breastplate when word came of the attack breastplate when word came of the attack breastplate when word came of the attack he had simply dashed off to lead his men he had simply dashed off to lead his men he had simply dashed off to lead his men admirable but more than a little admirable but more than a little admirable but more than a little shortsighted he was on his horse in the shortsighted he was on his horse in the shortsighted he was on his horse in the thick of the fry on that third front thick of the fry on that third front thick of the fry on that third front when a spear came flying out of the when a spear came flying out of the when a spear came flying out of the Persian line and struck Julian in the Persian line and struck Julian in the Persian line and struck Julian in the side marcelus says specifically that the side marcelus says specifically that the side marcelus says specifically that the spear grazed the emperor's arm and then spear grazed the emperor's arm and then spear grazed the emperor's arm and then lodged itself in his lodged itself in his lodged itself in his liver Julian tried to remove the spear liver Julian tried to remove the spear liver Julian tried to remove the spear but the blade was too long to get a firm but the blade was too long to get a firm but the blade was too long to get a firm grip and he cut his hands in the proc grip and he cut his hands in the proc grip and he cut his hands in the proc process weak from shock and a loss of process weak from shock and a loss of process weak from shock and a loss of blood the emperor fainted then regained

blood the emperor fainted then regained blood the emperor fainted then regained Consciousness long enough to announce Consciousness long enough to announce Consciousness long enough to announce that his wound was not mortal and then that his wound was not mortal and then that his wound was not mortal and then he fainted he fainted he fainted again Julian was then rushed away from again Julian was then rushed away from again Julian was then rushed away from the scene and his doctor immediately the scene and his doctor immediately the scene and his doctor immediately began to save the emperor's life in his biography of Julian the life in his biography of Julian the apostate the last Pagan Adrien Murdoch apostate the last Pagan Adrien Murdoch apostate the last Pagan Adrien Murdoch spends a good amount of time at the end spends a good amount of time at the end spends a good amount of time at the end of the book trying to parse through the of the book trying to parse through the of the book trying to parse through the different versions of Julian's death to different versions of Julian's death to different versions of Julian's death to try and reach some tentative try and reach some tentative try and reach some tentative conclusion though marcelus is usually conclusion though marcelus is usually conclusion though marcelus is usually deferred to when it comes to Julian deferred to when it comes to Julian deferred to when it comes to Julian Murdoch argues that the soldier Murdoch argues that the soldier Murdoch argues that the soldier historians belief that the Emperor died historians belief that the Emperor died historians belief that the Emperor died on the same day he was wounded is on the same day he was wounded is on the same day he was wounded is suspect first of all the cause of suspect first of all the cause of suspect first of all the cause of Julian's death is described as Julian's death is described as Julian's death is described as strangulation rather than something more strangulation rather than something more strangulation rather than something more directly related to the wound this directly related to the wound this directly related to the wound this points to an infection and infection is points to an infection and infection is points to an infection and infection is going to need time to build going to need time to build going to need time to build up the reason this even matters is up the reason this even matters is up the reason this even matters is because as he Lay Dying Julian because as he Lay Dying Julian because as he Lay Dying Julian surprisingly and not a little bit surprisingly and not a little bit surprisingly and not a little bit recklessly never did name an recklessly never did name an recklessly never did name an heir in Marcel's version Julian spends heir in Marcel's version Julian spends heir in Marcel's version Julian spends his final evening engaged in some his final evening engaged in some his final evening engaged in some romantic deathbed romantic deathbed romantic deathbed philosophizing but he never even hints philosophizing but he never even hints philosophizing but he never even hints at who ought to lead the Army and the at who ought to lead the Army and the at who ought to lead the Army and the empire when he inevitably empire when he inevitably empire when he inevitably dies this seems so ridiculously dies this seems so ridiculously dies this seems so ridiculously shortsighted that it calls the whole

shortsighted that it calls the whole shortsighted that it calls the whole version of the story into version of the story into version of the story into question if however Julian spent 3 days question if however Julian spent 3 days question if however Julian spent 3 days in bed slowed by a wound that did not in bed slowed by a wound that did not in bed slowed by a wound that did not necessarily looked like it was killing necessarily looked like it was killing necessarily looked like it was killing him until whoops it killed him then the him until whoops it killed him then the him until whoops it killed him then the fact that he did not name an heir makes fact that he did not name an heir makes fact that he did not name an heir makes sense put simply the emperor did not sense put simply the emperor did not sense put simply the emperor did not believe he was dying and so he did not believe he was dying and so he did not believe he was dying and so he did not name a name a name a successor this is why I tend to believe successor this is why I tend to believe successor this is why I tend to believe that Julian died on June the 29th 363 ad that Julian died on June the 29th 363 ad that Julian died on June the 29th 363 ad 2 days after receiving the Mortal 2 days after receiving the Mortal 2 days after receiving the Mortal wound either way though he was 31 years wound either way though he was 31 years wound either way though he was 31 years old and had ruled the empire for just a old and had ruled the empire for just a old and had ruled the empire for just a year and a half Julian's short Reign is unique in half Julian's short Reign is unique in Roman Roman Roman history previous Emperors had initiated history previous Emperors had initiated history previous Emperors had initiated fundamental changes to the way the fundamental changes to the way the fundamental changes to the way the Empire operated and previous Emperors Empire operated and previous Emperors Empire operated and previous Emperors had of course served very short terms of had of course served very short terms of had of course served very short terms of office but never had they done both at office but never had they done both at office but never had they done both at the same the same the same time Julene had tried to pull off a time Julene had tried to pull off a time Julene had tried to pull off a systemwide overhaul of the Empire that systemwide overhaul of the Empire that systemwide overhaul of the Empire that had it succeeded would have made his had it succeeded would have made his had it succeeded would have made his Reign a key hinge point on the Imperial Reign a key hinge point on the Imperial Reign a key hinge point on the Imperial timeline maybe his overhaul would not timeline maybe his overhaul would not timeline maybe his overhaul would not have been as Grand as say augustus' or have been as Grand as say augustus' or have been as Grand as say augustus' or Diocesan had been but it certainly might Diocesan had been but it certainly might Diocesan had been but it certainly might have had the power to diminish The have had the power to diminish The have had the power to diminish The prominent part Constantine plays in the prominent part Constantine plays in the prominent part Constantine plays in the history of the Western history of the Western history of the Western World perhaps it might have even served

World perhaps it might have even served World perhaps it might have even served as a bookend to an anomalous Christian as a bookend to an anomalous Christian as a bookend to an anomalous Christian era for the era for the era for the Empire but the other Emperors who dream Empire but the other Emperors who dream Empire but the other Emperors who dream big had the luck to serve a long time big had the luck to serve a long time big had the luck to serve a long time and see their reform cemented into the and see their reform cemented into the and see their reform cemented into the Bedrock of the Bedrock of the Bedrock of the system Julian dreamed big and then he system Julian dreamed big and then he system Julian dreamed big and then he died died died young I honestly think that in terms of young I honestly think that in terms of young I honestly think that in terms of ambition of vision and brevity of rule ambition of vision and brevity of rule ambition of vision and brevity of rule the only one who matches Julian is and I the only one who matches Julian is and I the only one who matches Julian is and I know this is going to sound crazy know this is going to sound crazy know this is going to sound crazy elagabalus who like Julian tried to elagabalus who like Julian tried to elagabalus who like Julian tried to reinvent Roman religion but died before reinvent Roman religion but died before reinvent Roman religion but died before his reforms could firmly take root in his reforms could firmly take root in his reforms could firmly take root in the the the system however other than that system however other than that system however other than that superficial similarity there is really superficial similarity there is really superficial similarity there is really nothing to connect the half-mad teenager nothing to connect the half-mad teenager nothing to connect the half-mad teenager elois to the genuinely conscientious elois to the genuinely conscientious elois to the genuinely conscientious Julian so I really think that Julian the Julian so I really think that Julian the Julian so I really think that Julian the apostate is a unique figure in Roman apostate is a unique figure in Roman apostate is a unique figure in Roman history which makes him interesting history which makes him interesting history which makes him interesting which means that we will never stop which means that we will never stop which means that we will never stop pouring over his year and a half in pouring over his year and a half in pouring over his year and a half in office and wondering what might have been all that said however in June of been all that said however in June of 363 the Roman army did not have the 363 the Roman army did not have the 363 the Roman army did not have the luxury of pondering what Julian's place luxury of pondering what Julian's place luxury of pondering what Julian's place in history was going to be they were in history was going to be they were in history was going to be they were stranded in an enemy territory stranded in an enemy territory stranded in an enemy territory surrounded and surrounded and surrounded and flailing the emperor was dead and no air flailing the emperor was dead and no air flailing the emperor was dead and no air was in place in other words disaster

was in place in other words disaster was in place in other words disaster loomed next week Julian's officers will loomed next week Julian's officers will loomed next week Julian's officers will attempt to pick up the pieces and avert attempt to pick up the pieces and avert attempt to pick up the pieces and avert said said said disaster but given the circumstances and disaster but given the circumstances and disaster but given the circumstances and the fact that the legitimate Imperial the fact that the legitimate Imperial the fact that the legitimate Imperial line was now suddenly extinct well in line was now suddenly extinct well in line was now suddenly extinct well in trying to solve the problem of what they trying to solve the problem of what they trying to solve the problem of what they were going to do next they may have were going to do next they may have were going to do next they may have wound up simply swapping one disaster wound up simply swapping one disaster wound up simply swapping one disaster for for for [Music] another another [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 147 capitulation last week we left off with capitulation last week we left off with the Eastern Legions in a bit of a scrape the Eastern Legions in a bit of a scrape the Eastern Legions in a bit of a scrape the emperor Julian was dead he had not the emperor Julian was dead he had not the emperor Julian was dead he had not named a successor and they were named a successor and they were named a successor and they were surrounded on all sides by a hostile CED surrounded on all sides by a hostile CED surrounded on all sides by a hostile CED Army any one of those things taken alone Army any one of those things taken alone Army any one of those things taken alone would have been pretty rotten but taken would have been pretty rotten but taken would have been pretty rotten but taken together well let's break out the together well let's break out the together well let's break out the popcorn and see what happens popcorn and see what happens popcorn and see what happens next after news of Julian's death got next after news of Julian's death got next after news of Julian's death got out the senior officers of the army got

out the senior officers of the army got out the senior officers of the army got together and tried to figure out what together and tried to figure out what together and tried to figure out what the hell they were going to do the hell they were going to do the hell they were going to do next naturally the first order of next naturally the first order of next naturally the first order of business was figuring out who was in business was figuring out who was in business was figuring out who was in charge after all a good chain of command charge after all a good chain of command charge after all a good chain of command can't just Peter out into a mud puddle can't just Peter out into a mud puddle can't just Peter out into a mud puddle of Cavalry officers and ply Chiefs of Cavalry officers and ply Chiefs of Cavalry officers and ply Chiefs someone's got to be the eye in the someone's got to be the eye in the someone's got to be the eye in the pyramid with no Imperial relatives pyramid with no Imperial relatives pyramid with no Imperial relatives around to make the choice easy on them around to make the choice easy on them around to make the choice easy on them the officers turned to the most obvious the officers turned to the most obvious the officers turned to the most obvious non-royal candidate the senior petorian non-royal candidate the senior petorian non-royal candidate the senior petorian prefect saturninus secundus prefect saturninus secundus prefect saturninus secundus salus the prefect was universally salus the prefect was universally salus the prefect was universally respected and from the moment Julian had respected and from the moment Julian had respected and from the moment Julian had been named Caesar salus had been one of been named Caesar salus had been one of been named Caesar salus had been one of the emperor's closest and most the emperor's closest and most the emperor's closest and most influential influential influential advisers he had been so trusted in fact advisers he had been so trusted in fact advisers he had been so trusted in fact that when Julian had formed the that when Julian had formed the that when Julian had formed the commission to oversee the post commission to oversee the post commission to oversee the post constantius Purge of the Imperial Court constantius Purge of the Imperial Court constantius Purge of the Imperial Court salus had been its salus had been its salus had been its chairman elevated to the rank of chairman elevated to the rank of chairman elevated to the rank of petorian prefect of the East after the petorian prefect of the East after the petorian prefect of the East after the commission wrapped up its business commission wrapped up its business commission wrapped up its business soltius was the highest ranking official soltius was the highest ranking official soltius was the highest ranking official in the tent after Julian died so the in the tent after Julian died so the in the tent after Julian died so the senior officers of the army tried to senior officers of the army tried to senior officers of the army tried to make him make him make him Emperor but salus begged off pleading Emperor but salus begged off pleading Emperor but salus begged off pleading that he was too old and too sick for that he was too old and too sick for that he was too old and too sick for such an exhaus ing job also man is now such an exhaus ing job also man is now such an exhaus ing job also man is now really the best time to become really the best time to become really the best time to become emperor so the officers went back to the emperor so the officers went back to the emperor so the officers went back to the drawing board and came up with a drawing board and came up with a drawing board and came up with a surprising new candidate a man who at

surprising new candidate a man who at surprising new candidate a man who at the very least would not be able to site the very least would not be able to site the very least would not be able to site arthritis as an excuse to get out of the arthritis as an excuse to get out of the arthritis as an excuse to get out of the promotion captain of the Imperial promotion captain of the Imperial promotion captain of the Imperial Bodyguard flavus jovanis the choice of Jovian was jovanis the choice of Jovian was surprising not just because he was only surprising not just because he was only surprising not just because he was only 31 years old but also because he was a 31 years old but also because he was a 31 years old but also because he was a relative relative relative unknown that is he was not some high unknown that is he was not some high unknown that is he was not some high official or long- serving officer with a official or long- serving officer with a official or long- serving officer with a lifetime of experience under his belt lifetime of experience under his belt lifetime of experience under his belt and friends in all corners of the and friends in all corners of the and friends in all corners of the Empire plus while he was a fine officer Empire plus while he was a fine officer Empire plus while he was a fine officer he had likely risen as high as he had as he had likely risen as high as he had as he had likely risen as high as he had as fast as he had not because of Merit but fast as he had not because of Merit but fast as he had not because of Merit but because his father had served for years because his father had served for years because his father had served for years in that same in that same in that same post so though his sudden elevation to post so though his sudden elevation to post so though his sudden elevation to the purple is surprising I reckon that the purple is surprising I reckon that the purple is surprising I reckon that Jovian got the call for two main Jovian got the call for two main Jovian got the call for two main reasons first because there were enough reasons first because there were enough reasons first because there were enough internal rivalries between the officers internal rivalries between the officers internal rivalries between the officers that after salus any unanimous Choice that after salus any unanimous Choice that after salus any unanimous Choice was going to have to be a lesser was going to have to be a lesser was going to have to be a lesser candidate because all the better candidate because all the better candidate because all the better candidates had enemies in the room and candidates had enemies in the room and candidates had enemies in the room and second again man is now really the best second again man is now really the best second again man is now really the best time to become time to become time to become emperor amanus marcelus reports that emperor amanus marcelus reports that emperor amanus marcelus reports that Jovian was such an unexpected choice Jovian was such an unexpected choice Jovian was such an unexpected choice that when the soldiers cheered his that when the soldiers cheered his that when the soldiers cheered his elevation it is possible that they elevation it is possible that they elevation it is possible that they completely misunderstood who they were completely misunderstood who they were completely misunderstood who they were cheering that some thought they were cheering that some thought they were cheering that some thought they were hailing a high notary named jovanis hailing a high notary named jovanis hailing a high notary named jovanis While others thought they were cheering While others thought they were cheering While others thought they were cheering a recovered

Julian but despite coming out of nowhere Julian but despite coming out of nowhere jien was not exactly coming out of jien was not exactly coming out of jien was not exactly coming out of nowhere he was born around 331 in ayria nowhere he was born around 331 in ayria nowhere he was born around 331 in ayria making him roughly the same age as making him roughly the same age as making him roughly the same age as Julian and as I mentioned he was the son Julian and as I mentioned he was the son Julian and as I mentioned he was the son of a highly regarded officer who had of a highly regarded officer who had of a highly regarded officer who had risen to become captain of constantius risen to become captain of constantius risen to become captain of constantius II's personal II's personal II's personal bodyguard Jovian was also coincidentally bodyguard Jovian was also coincidentally bodyguard Jovian was also coincidentally enough the son-in-law of the commander enough the son-in-law of the commander enough the son-in-law of the commander of the serium Garrison who Julian had of the serium Garrison who Julian had of the serium Garrison who Julian had kidnapped just prior to taking the city kidnapped just prior to taking the city kidnapped just prior to taking the city in mid in mid in mid 361 there are two interesting things to 361 there are two interesting things to 361 there are two interesting things to note about jian's rise in the ranks that note about jian's rise in the ranks that note about jian's rise in the ranks that speak to Julian's speak to Julian's speak to Julian's character first Julian was not character first Julian was not character first Julian was not necessarily one to hold a f family necessarily one to hold a f family necessarily one to hold a f family Grudge both Jovan's father and Grudge both Jovan's father and Grudge both Jovan's father and father-in-law had been loyal to father-in-law had been loyal to father-in-law had been loyal to constantius II which you would think constantius II which you would think constantius II which you would think would be the sort of thing that would would be the sort of thing that would would be the sort of thing that would actually preclude Jovian from being actually preclude Jovian from being actually preclude Jovian from being promoted to such a key position but promoted to such a key position but promoted to such a key position but apparently it was apparently it was apparently it was not second Jovian was openly Christian not second Jovian was openly Christian not second Jovian was openly Christian which contradicts any notion that Julian which contradicts any notion that Julian which contradicts any notion that Julian was an anti-christian extremist he was was an anti-christian extremist he was was an anti-christian extremist he was anti-christian sure but a good officer anti-christian sure but a good officer anti-christian sure but a good officer was a good officer and and good officers was a good officer and and good officers was a good officer and and good officers were in short were in short were in short supply the presence in the army of supply the presence in the army of supply the presence in the army of valentinian who we will get to in a valentinian who we will get to in a valentinian who we will get to in a moment further speaks to the moment further speaks to the moment further speaks to the surprisingly limited extent of Julian's surprisingly limited extent of Julian's surprisingly limited extent of Julian's religious religious religious intolerance which is to say that when intolerance which is to say that when intolerance which is to say that when push came to shove for Julian Talent

push came to shove for Julian Talent push came to shove for Julian Talent often trumped religion before I get off this point I religion before I get off this point I should note also though that the same should note also though that the same should note also though that the same was true for Constantine and his sons was true for Constantine and his sons was true for Constantine and his sons yes they were Christian and promoted yes they were Christian and promoted yes they were Christian and promoted Christianity and tried to push paganism Christianity and tried to push paganism Christianity and tried to push paganism to the fringes but during the period to the fringes but during the period to the fringes but during the period between the Milan bridge and the Revolt between the Milan bridge and the Revolt between the Milan bridge and the Revolt of Julian polytheist officers and of Julian polytheist officers and of Julian polytheist officers and polytheist officials continued to occupy polytheist officials continued to occupy polytheist officials continued to occupy key positions in the military and in the key positions in the military and in the key positions in the military and in the government the Emperors were pragmatic government the Emperors were pragmatic government the Emperors were pragmatic men ruling in difficult times and talent men ruling in difficult times and talent men ruling in difficult times and talent was not just something you could discard was not just something you could discard was not just something you could discard even if there was a larger religious even if there was a larger religious even if there was a larger religious battle to fight in terms of the sheer ugliness of the in terms of the sheer ugliness of the situation an emperor walked into upon situation an emperor walked into upon situation an emperor walked into upon Dawning the purple there were few Dawning the purple there were few Dawning the purple there were few situations uglier than the one Jovian situations uglier than the one Jovian situations uglier than the one Jovian walked walked walked into probably only the Ascension of into probably only the Ascension of into probably only the Ascension of galus who came to power after the galus who came to power after the galus who came to power after the disaster to brius Rivals jian's disaster to brius Rivals jian's disaster to brius Rivals jian's Ascension in terms of its terrible no Ascension in terms of its terrible no Ascension in terms of its terrible no goodness in both cases an emperor was goodness in both cases an emperor was goodness in both cases an emperor was dead at the enemy's hand that enemy was dead at the enemy's hand that enemy was dead at the enemy's hand that enemy was still at hand and the Roman army was still at hand and the Roman army was still at hand and the Roman army was mentally and physically mentally and physically mentally and physically broken which is why only Galo could broken which is why only Galo could broken which is why only Galo could probably appreciate what Jovian did next probably appreciate what Jovian did next probably appreciate what Jovian did next certainly none of jian's contemporaries certainly none of jian's contemporaries certainly none of jian's contemporaries demonstrated any appreciation for it at demonstrated any appreciation for it at demonstrated any appreciation for it at all it's easy to demand Vigor and

all it's easy to demand Vigor and all it's easy to demand Vigor and resiliency and if that fails Noble resiliency and if that fails Noble resiliency and if that fails Noble self-sacrifice when you're safely tucked self-sacrifice when you're safely tucked self-sacrifice when you're safely tucked thousands of miles away at the imperial thousands of miles away at the imperial thousands of miles away at the imperial capital much harder when you're actually capital much harder when you're actually capital much harder when you're actually standing there plausibly facing total Annihilation the new emperor at first Annihilation the new emperor at first attempted to continue the retreat attempted to continue the retreat attempted to continue the retreat towards Armenia but the loss of Julian towards Armenia but the loss of Julian towards Armenia but the loss of Julian had destroyed morale so he did what he had destroyed morale so he did what he had destroyed morale so he did what he no doubt felt he had to do he sent no doubt felt he had to do he sent no doubt felt he had to do he sent envoys to shapur and asked what the envoys to shapur and asked what the envoys to shapur and asked what the price would be for safe passage home shapur was delighted by this turn home shapur was delighted by this turn of events and replied that the terms of events and replied that the terms of events and replied that the terms would be simple would be simple would be simple give back all the territory seated to give back all the territory seated to give back all the territory seated to garus by the Treaty of nisus exactly garus by the Treaty of nisus exactly garus by the Treaty of nisus exactly what the CED King had demanded of what the CED King had demanded of what the CED King had demanded of constantius back in 357 this meant the Romans would have to 357 this meant the Romans would have to evacuate all the Fortress cities that evacuate all the Fortress cities that evacuate all the Fortress cities that had acted as their forward line of had acted as their forward line of had acted as their forward line of defense and pull out of all the defense and pull out of all the defense and pull out of all the territory they occupied on the far side territory they occupied on the far side territory they occupied on the far side of the Tigress the one added term shapur of the Tigress the one added term shapur of the Tigress the one added term shapur attacked on was a guarantee of Armenian attacked on was a guarantee of Armenian attacked on was a guarantee of Armenian neutrality in all future conflicts neutrality in all future conflicts neutrality in all future conflicts between the two between the two between the two empires the terms were harsh and empires the terms were harsh and empires the terms were harsh and essentially amounted to Total essentially amounted to Total essentially amounted to Total capitulation for the Romans but Jovian capitulation for the Romans but Jovian capitulation for the Romans but Jovian had little choice for him the deal had little choice for him the deal had little choice for him the deal boiled down to capitulate with your army boiled down to capitulate with your army boiled down to capitulate with your army left intact or capitulate after it has left intact or capitulate after it has left intact or capitulate after it has been been been destroyed sure in the latter case maybe

destroyed sure in the latter case maybe destroyed sure in the latter case maybe you get to go out fighting but was that you get to go out fighting but was that you get to go out fighting but was that really in the best interest of the really in the best interest of the really in the best interest of the Empire long term to lose its whole Empire long term to lose its whole Empire long term to lose its whole Eastern Army Army in battle just for the Eastern Army Army in battle just for the Eastern Army Army in battle just for the sheer stubborn Glory of it sheer stubborn Glory of it sheer stubborn Glory of it all Jovian probably glad shapur wasn't all Jovian probably glad shapur wasn't all Jovian probably glad shapur wasn't asking for more accepted the asking for more accepted the asking for more accepted the terms the Romans were granted safe terms the Romans were granted safe terms the Romans were granted safe passage back to passage back to passage back to Syria Julian had gone out looking for Syria Julian had gone out looking for Syria Julian had gone out looking for victory for victory's sake and the Army victory for victory's sake and the Army victory for victory's sake and the Army instead returned with nothing to show instead returned with nothing to show instead returned with nothing to show for it but defeat for the sake of survival now I would be remiss if I did survival now I would be remiss if I did not point out that there is another way not point out that there is another way not point out that there is another way to look at the Roman to look at the Roman to look at the Roman surrender for example amanus Marcelina surrender for example amanus Marcelina surrender for example amanus Marcelina states that Jovian misunderstood the states that Jovian misunderstood the states that Jovian misunderstood the Tactical realities of the Tactical realities of the Tactical realities of the situation that the new emperor was situation that the new emperor was situation that the new emperor was mistaken in his belief that the cause mistaken in his belief that the cause mistaken in his belief that the cause was hopeless because shapur was actually was hopeless because shapur was actually was hopeless because shapur was actually much weaker than he much weaker than he much weaker than he appeared and it is worth asking a few appeared and it is worth asking a few appeared and it is worth asking a few questions if the cause was so hopeless questions if the cause was so hopeless questions if the cause was so hopeless why hadn't the sanage crushed Romans yet why hadn't the sanage crushed Romans yet why hadn't the sanage crushed Romans yet if the cause was so hopeless why had if the cause was so hopeless why had if the cause was so hopeless why had shapur asked only for withdrawal from shapur asked only for withdrawal from shapur asked only for withdrawal from the land beyond the Tigers why not the land beyond the Tigers why not the land beyond the Tigers why not demand all of demand all of demand all of Mesopotamia why not demand the Roman Mesopotamia why not demand the Roman Mesopotamia why not demand the Roman army lay down its arms before they army lay down its arms before they army lay down its arms before they headed headed headed home the answers to these questions no home the answers to these questions no home the answers to these questions no doubt lie in shapur's own evaluation of doubt lie in shapur's own evaluation of doubt lie in shapur's own evaluation of the situation which likely jibes with

the situation which likely jibes with the situation which likely jibes with Marcel's Marcel's Marcel's assessment that the Romans were run down assessment that the Romans were run down assessment that the Romans were run down but they weren't beaten yet that it was but they weren't beaten yet that it was but they weren't beaten yet that it was best not to risk asking the Romans for best not to risk asking the Romans for best not to risk asking the Romans for too much because if they decided they too much because if they decided they too much because if they decided they had to fight on well this isn't exactly had to fight on well this isn't exactly had to fight on well this isn't exactly a case of the ant begging the foot for a case of the ant begging the foot for a case of the ant begging the foot for Mercy shapur clearly did not think he Mercy shapur clearly did not think he Mercy shapur clearly did not think he held the lives of the Romans in the palm held the lives of the Romans in the palm held the lives of the Romans in the palm of his hand otherwise the terms would of his hand otherwise the terms would of his hand otherwise the terms would have been even have been even have been even harsher indeed if Jovian had decided to harsher indeed if Jovian had decided to harsher indeed if Jovian had decided to keep on fighting it is very possible keep on fighting it is very possible keep on fighting it is very possible that the fortunes of War could have that the fortunes of War could have that the fortunes of War could have turned this all from a Roman debacle turned this all from a Roman debacle turned this all from a Roman debacle into a Roman victory into a Roman victory into a Roman victory a fact the CED king must have been a fact the CED king must have been a fact the CED king must have been acutely aware acutely aware acutely aware of so when the emperor Came Calling of so when the emperor Came Calling of so when the emperor Came Calling shapur jumped at the chance to end this shapur jumped at the chance to end this shapur jumped at the chance to end this thing on favorable thing on favorable thing on favorable terms remember he had never wanted this terms remember he had never wanted this terms remember he had never wanted this war in the first place because he did war in the first place because he did war in the first place because he did not think he was strong enough to beat not think he was strong enough to beat not think he was strong enough to beat the Romans without it costing him big time all that said however a strategy time all that said however a strategy that pins its hopes on the The Fortunes that pins its hopes on the The Fortunes that pins its hopes on the The Fortunes of War suddenly turning your way risks of War suddenly turning your way risks of War suddenly turning your way risks an awful an awful an awful lot in this case it meant risking the lot in this case it meant risking the lot in this case it meant risking the safety of the entire Eastern safety of the entire Eastern safety of the entire Eastern Empire if the expeditionary Army was Empire if the expeditionary Army was Empire if the expeditionary Army was destroyed then there would be nothing to destroyed then there would be nothing to destroyed then there would be nothing to stop shapur from sacking Antioch and stop shapur from sacking Antioch and stop shapur from sacking Antioch and maybe even from sacking maybe even from sacking maybe even from sacking Alexandria it was just that simple at a

Alexandria it was just that simple at a Alexandria it was just that simple at a minimum any further fighting would just minimum any further fighting would just minimum any further fighting would just mean more dead Roman mean more dead Roman mean more dead Roman soldiers not dead for any purpose soldiers not dead for any purpose soldiers not dead for any purpose purpose but dead because the invasion purpose but dead because the invasion purpose but dead because the invasion had been a bad idea poorly executed and had been a bad idea poorly executed and had been a bad idea poorly executed and no one wanted to admit no one wanted to admit no one wanted to admit it sometimes you just have to grit your it sometimes you just have to grit your it sometimes you just have to grit your teeth tip your cap and go teeth tip your cap and go teeth tip your cap and go home and what was the cost some land home and what was the cost some land home and what was the cost some land beyond the Tigers no one was seeding beyond the Tigers no one was seeding beyond the Tigers no one was seeding Syria no one was handing over Egypt Syria no one was handing over Egypt Syria no one was handing over Egypt Jovian was accepting mild defeat rather Jovian was accepting mild defeat rather Jovian was accepting mild defeat rather than risk appalling than risk appalling than risk appalling defeat was it the optimum outcome of defeat was it the optimum outcome of defeat was it the optimum outcome of course not especially when you factor in course not especially when you factor in course not especially when you factor in that the surrender of course emboldened that the surrender of course emboldened that the surrender of course emboldened shapur and left later Romans hungry for shapur and left later Romans hungry for shapur and left later Romans hungry for Revenge which virtually guaranteed Revenge which virtually guaranteed Revenge which virtually guaranteed continued Strife along the Eastern continued Strife along the Eastern continued Strife along the Eastern Frontier for another Frontier for another Frontier for another generation and as you may or may not generation and as you may or may not generation and as you may or may not know that Strife will one day prove so know that Strife will one day prove so know that Strife will one day prove so distracting that the issue of what to do distracting that the issue of what to do distracting that the issue of what to do about the horde of Goths that just about the horde of Goths that just about the horde of Goths that just showed up on the Danube asking for showed up on the Danube asking for showed up on the Danube asking for Asylum will be badly mishandled and I Asylum will be badly mishandled and I Asylum will be badly mishandled and I mean badly mean badly mean badly mishandled who knows maybe a mutually mishandled who knows maybe a mutually mishandled who knows maybe a mutually destructive fight in the desert would destructive fight in the desert would destructive fight in the desert would have led to an exhausted peace in the have led to an exhausted peace in the have led to an exhausted peace in the East that would have left the Romans East that would have left the Romans East that would have left the Romans free to deal with the incoming Goths free to deal with the incoming Goths free to deal with the incoming Goths responsibly but now I'm just kind of responsibly but now I'm just kind of responsibly but now I'm just kind of wandering off topic Jovian made the deal wandering off topic Jovian made the deal wandering off topic Jovian made the deal the Roman army headed home

intact when Jovian and his exhausted men intact when Jovian and his exhausted men ared back in Roman territory the ared back in Roman territory the ared back in Roman territory the reaction to his peace deal was immediate reaction to his peace deal was immediate reaction to his peace deal was immediate and and and negative the ruling narrative quickly negative the ruling narrative quickly negative the ruling narrative quickly became that Jovian was a coward who had became that Jovian was a coward who had became that Jovian was a coward who had sold out the Empire to save his own sold out the Empire to save his own sold out the Empire to save his own skin in an age when military Victory and skin in an age when military Victory and skin in an age when military Victory and political legitimacy were one and the political legitimacy were one and the political legitimacy were one and the same just asked Julian Jovian had same just asked Julian Jovian had same just asked Julian Jovian had committed the unforgivable sin of committed the unforgivable sin of committed the unforgivable sin of surrender it would have been interesting surrender it would have been interesting surrender it would have been interesting to see just how long Joven would have to see just how long Joven would have to see just how long Joven would have been able to Ain power given this been able to Ain power given this been able to Ain power given this Albatross hanging around his Albatross hanging around his Albatross hanging around his neck we'll never know of course because neck we'll never know of course because neck we'll never know of course because well we'll get to that in a second but well we'll get to that in a second but well we'll get to that in a second but it is hard to imagine too much time it is hard to imagine too much time it is hard to imagine too much time passing before Jovian faced either a passing before Jovian faced either a passing before Jovian faced either a palace coup or a military Revolt by all accounts the emperor was Revolt by all accounts the emperor was acutely aware of his unpopularity but acutely aware of his unpopularity but acutely aware of his unpopularity but before heading to Constantinople he before heading to Constantinople he before heading to Constantinople he lingered in Antioch and began the lingered in Antioch and began the lingered in Antioch and began the process process of returning the Empire process process of returning the Empire process process of returning the Empire to to to Christianity the fact that he was Christianity the fact that he was Christianity the fact that he was personally a Christian had to have personally a Christian had to have personally a Christian had to have played a major role in his subsequent played a major role in his subsequent played a major role in his subsequent edicts but it's easy to imagine the new edicts but it's easy to imagine the new edicts but it's easy to imagine the new emperor also believed he was laying the emperor also believed he was laying the emperor also believed he was laying the foundations for his own base of foundations for his own base of foundations for his own base of power reinstate the Christians get the power reinstate the Christians get the power reinstate the Christians get the support of the Christians isn't that how support of the Christians isn't that how support of the Christians isn't that how these things these things these things work to this end Julian annuled most of work to this end Julian annuled most of work to this end Julian annuled most of the restrictions on Christian practices the restrictions on Christian practices the restrictions on Christian practices and revived most of restrictions on

and revived most of restrictions on and revived most of restrictions on Pagan Pagan Pagan practices the Empire would never again practices the Empire would never again practices the Empire would never again return to its polytheistic roots in November of 363 Jovian felt roots in November of 363 Jovian felt that things were settled enough in the that things were settled enough in the that things were settled enough in the East that he could afford to head to East that he could afford to head to East that he could afford to head to Constantinople and face his political Constantinople and face his political Constantinople and face his political unpopularity unpopularity unpopularity headon he knew that he was likely headon he knew that he was likely headon he knew that he was likely walking into a vipers nest of walking into a vipers nest of walking into a vipers nest of backstabbers because after all in backstabbers because after all in backstabbers because after all in addition to being the man who had addition to being the man who had addition to being the man who had surrendered the Eastern Legions he surrendered the Eastern Legions he surrendered the Eastern Legions he wasn't even a member of the wasn't even a member of the wasn't even a member of the constantinian dynasty so who did he constantinian dynasty so who did he constantinian dynasty so who did he think he was think he was think he was anyway it was going to be a tough cell anyway it was going to be a tough cell anyway it was going to be a tough cell but Jovian was a tough guy and ready to but Jovian was a tough guy and ready to but Jovian was a tough guy and ready to do what he had to do to secure the do what he had to do to secure the do what he had to do to secure the throne for years to come except yeah throne for years to come except yeah throne for years to come except yeah it's not going to happen in February of it's not going to happen in February of it's not going to happen in February of 364 Jovian was heading down the home 364 Jovian was heading down the home 364 Jovian was heading down the home stretch in between ankyra and NAA when stretch in between ankyra and NAA when stretch in between ankyra and NAA when he suddenly he suddenly he suddenly died some sources point to carbon died some sources point to carbon died some sources point to carbon monoxide poisoning While others point to monoxide poisoning While others point to monoxide poisoning While others point to poison poison poison mushrooms a few later sources take it on mushrooms a few later sources take it on mushrooms a few later sources take it on faith that the emperor was assassinated faith that the emperor was assassinated faith that the emperor was assassinated but most modern Scholars seemed to come but most modern Scholars seemed to come but most modern Scholars seemed to come down squarely on the side of a freak down squarely on the side of a freak down squarely on the side of a freak accident I for one am under the accident I for one am under the accident I for one am under the impression that Livia did impression that Livia did impression that Livia did it whatever or whoever it was that it whatever or whoever it was that it whatever or whoever it was that killed Jovian he was 32 years old when killed Jovian he was 32 years old when killed Jovian he was 32 years old when he died and had ruled the empire for he died and had ruled the empire for he died and had ruled the empire for just 8 just 8 just 8 months months months I hate to say this because I'm fairly

I hate to say this because I'm fairly I hate to say this because I'm fairly sympathetic to Jovian but I think his sympathetic to Jovian but I think his sympathetic to Jovian but I think his death was a blessing for Rome I really death was a blessing for Rome I really death was a blessing for Rome I really don't see how the Empire survives the don't see how the Empire survives the don't see how the Empire survives the next few years or even the next few next few years or even the next few next few years or even the next few months without some kind of disastrous months without some kind of disastrous months without some kind of disastrous Civil Civil Civil War there had already been riots in War there had already been riots in War there had already been riots in Milan when Julian's death was announced Milan when Julian's death was announced Milan when Julian's death was announced riots that wound up killing jian's riots that wound up killing jian's riots that wound up killing jian's father-in-law by the way who had been father-in-law by the way who had been father-in-law by the way who had been the one to read the the one to read the the one to read the announcement Jovian was a political announcement Jovian was a political announcement Jovian was a political newcomer he had no connection to the newcomer he had no connection to the newcomer he had no connection to the previous Dynasty and he had just previous Dynasty and he had just previous Dynasty and he had just surrendered to the surrendered to the surrendered to the cits you take these three things cits you take these three things cits you take these three things together and you get big red flashing together and you get big red flashing together and you get big red flashing lights going off in the head of every lights going off in the head of every lights going off in the head of every ambitious General and prefect in the Empire though Rome would still have to Empire though Rome would still have to deal with the brief Revolt of Julian's deal with the brief Revolt of Julian's deal with the brief Revolt of Julian's maternal cousin procopius I don't think maternal cousin procopius I don't think maternal cousin procopius I don't think that that even touches the kind of civil that that even touches the kind of civil that that even touches the kind of civil Discord that probably would have broken Discord that probably would have broken Discord that probably would have broken out had Julian out had Julian out had Julian lived that's just speculation on my part lived that's just speculation on my part lived that's just speculation on my part but I think the combination of but I think the combination of but I think the combination of valentinian and veilance offered a much valentinian and veilance offered a much valentinian and veilance offered a much stronger Imperial hand than Jovian would stronger Imperial hand than Jovian would stronger Imperial hand than Jovian would have ever been able to provide which brings us to valentinian provide which brings us to valentinian and and and veilance who are valentinian and veilance who are valentinian and veilance who are valentinian and veilance you ask well I'll tell you the veilance you ask well I'll tell you the veilance you ask well I'll tell you the former was a highly regarded officer who former was a highly regarded officer who former was a highly regarded officer who was in the right place at the right time was in the right place at the right time was in the right place at the right time and the latter was that guy's brother flavius valentinus had been born in 321

flavius valentinus had been born in 321 in panonia and was the son of an in panonia and was the son of an in panonia and was the son of an important General named important General named important General named gracianas gracianas had spent most of gracianas gracianas had spent most of gracianas gracianas had spent most of his career in the west and he reached his career in the west and he reached his career in the west and he reached the uppermost rungs of the chain of the uppermost rungs of the chain of the uppermost rungs of the chain of command during the reign of command during the reign of command during the reign of constance young valentinian joined the constance young valentinian joined the constance young valentinian joined the army just after constant took control of army just after constant took control of army just after constant took control of all the Western provinces in 340 and he all the Western provinces in 340 and he all the Western provinces in 340 and he followed his father to postings first in followed his father to postings first in followed his father to postings first in North North Africa and then in North North Africa and then in North North Africa and then in Britain after gracianas prly retired Britain after gracianas prly retired Britain after gracianas prly retired just before the fall of constant we just before the fall of constant we just before the fall of constant we don't know where exactly valentinian don't know where exactly valentinian don't know where exactly valentinian went next but it was almost certainly went next but it was almost certainly went next but it was almost certainly somewhere along the r or Dan Frontier the confusion about who was Frontier the confusion about who was doing what when continues During the doing what when continues During the doing what when continues During the period of magnus's period of magnus's period of magnus's Revolt no sources speak to what if any Revolt no sources speak to what if any Revolt no sources speak to what if any role valentinian played in the conflict role valentinian played in the conflict role valentinian played in the conflict but we do know that following his but we do know that following his but we do know that following his victory constantius II confiscated the victory constantius II confiscated the victory constantius II confiscated the Estates of Estates of Estates of gracianas hinting that the retired gracianas hinting that the retired gracianas hinting that the retired General may have been providing support General may have been providing support General may have been providing support for the usurping general which was not for the usurping general which was not for the usurping general which was not out of the question since the two old out of the question since the two old out of the question since the two old soldiers were both Veterans of the soldiers were both Veterans of the soldiers were both Veterans of the western western western Legions if valentinian joined his Legions if valentinian joined his Legions if valentinian joined his father's presumed support for Magnus it father's presumed support for Magnus it father's presumed support for Magnus it cannot have been too staunch because the cannot have been too staunch because the cannot have been too staunch because the rising officer next appears in Gaul rising officer next appears in Gaul rising officer next appears in Gaul attached to Julian's Army which is not attached to Julian's Army which is not attached to Julian's Army which is not exactly the sort of promotion you'd exactly the sort of promotion you'd exactly the sort of promotion you'd expect for a blood enemy of the

dynasty it was in Gul that valentinian dynasty it was in Gul that valentinian really began to make a name for really began to make a name for really began to make a name for himself he served with distinction as a himself he served with distinction as a himself he served with distinction as a Cavalry officer almost certainly fought Cavalry officer almost certainly fought Cavalry officer almost certainly fought at the Battle of straussburg and at the Battle of straussburg and at the Battle of straussburg and generally endeared himself to superiors generally endeared himself to superiors generally endeared himself to superiors and subordinates and subordinates and subordinates alike the senior officers liked him alike the senior officers liked him alike the senior officers liked him because he got the job done and the because he got the job done and the because he got the job done and the grunts liked him because of his grunts liked him because of his grunts liked him because of his easygoing easygoing easygoing disposition a disposition which is kind disposition a disposition which is kind disposition a disposition which is kind of hard to imagine given valentinian's of hard to imagine given valentinian's of hard to imagine given valentinian's ultimate cause of death in the winter of 359 360 death in the winter of 359 360 valentinian was promoted to the Eastern valentinian was promoted to the Eastern valentinian was promoted to the Eastern Legions as constantius prepared for war Legions as constantius prepared for war Legions as constantius prepared for war against the sanit and he was likely against the sanit and he was likely against the sanit and he was likely already in Antioch by the time Julian already in Antioch by the time Julian already in Antioch by the time Julian revolted in January of revolted in January of revolted in January of 360 for valentinian the upshot of this 360 for valentinian the upshot of this 360 for valentinian the upshot of this Imperial conflict was that he was Imperial conflict was that he was Imperial conflict was that he was immediately dismissed from service by immediately dismissed from service by immediately dismissed from service by constantius who was concerned that constantius who was concerned that constantius who was concerned that valentinian's close ties to Julian would valentinian's close ties to Julian would valentinian's close ties to Julian would make him a potential snake in the make him a potential snake in the make him a potential snake in the grass as with the Revolt of Magnus we grass as with the Revolt of Magnus we grass as with the Revolt of Magnus we don't know what valentinian thought don't know what valentinian thought don't know what valentinian thought about Julian's Uprising but it's about Julian's Uprising but it's about Julian's Uprising but it's possible constantius was being overly possible constantius was being overly possible constantius was being overly paranoid about the whole thing because paranoid about the whole thing because paranoid about the whole thing because after Julian became sole Emperor after Julian became sole Emperor after Julian became sole Emperor valentinian was forced to remain in semi valentinian was forced to remain in semi valentinian was forced to remain in semi Exile in Exile in Exile in Egypt as a Christian in a time when that Egypt as a Christian in a time when that Egypt as a Christian in a time when that was suddenly a bad thing again was suddenly a bad thing again was suddenly a bad thing again valentinian's future was very much in valentinian's future was very much in valentinian's future was very much in doubt however as Julian was building up

doubt however as Julian was building up doubt however as Julian was building up his war machine to go invade Persia he his war machine to go invade Persia he his war machine to go invade Persia he recalled valentinian to recalled valentinian to recalled valentinian to service like I said good officers are service like I said good officers are service like I said good officers are good officers whatever they believe and good officers whatever they believe and good officers whatever they believe and valentinian was a good officer his reward for being such a good officer his reward for being such a good officer was that he got to witness officer was that he got to witness officer was that he got to witness firsthand the utter meltdown of the firsthand the utter meltdown of the firsthand the utter meltdown of the Eastern Invasion Julian's subsequent Eastern Invasion Julian's subsequent Eastern Invasion Julian's subsequent death and the Roman Army's humiliating death and the Roman Army's humiliating death and the Roman Army's humiliating withdrawal back to withdrawal back to withdrawal back to Syria when they reached Antioch though Syria when they reached Antioch though Syria when they reached Antioch though valentinian received one of the most valentinian received one of the most valentinian received one of the most fortuitous promotions in fortuitous promotions in fortuitous promotions in history as Jovian worked through the history as Jovian worked through the history as Jovian worked through the aftermath of the failed Invasion and aftermath of the failed Invasion and aftermath of the failed Invasion and tried to lay the groundwork for his own tried to lay the groundwork for his own tried to lay the groundwork for his own Imperial rule he sent valentinian to Imperial rule he sent valentinian to Imperial rule he sent valentinian to ankyra to command a key Infantry ankyra to command a key Infantry ankyra to command a key Infantry Division which meant that when Jovian Division which meant that when Jovian Division which meant that when Jovian passed through a few months later and passed through a few months later and passed through a few months later and then suddenly died a few miles down the then suddenly died a few miles down the then suddenly died a few miles down the road well good valentinian was right road well good valentinian was right road well good valentinian was right there wasn't he I mean literally there wasn't he I mean literally there wasn't he I mean literally physically right there wasn't he the immediate response to jian's he the immediate response to jian's death was very similar to the immediate death was very similar to the immediate death was very similar to the immediate response to Julian's response to Julian's response to Julian's death the military and political inner C death the military and political inner C death the military and political inner C ccle got together and tried to figure ccle got together and tried to figure ccle got together and tried to figure out who the next next Emperor was going out who the next next Emperor was going out who the next next Emperor was going to to to be initially two names were put forward be initially two names were put forward be initially two names were put forward aquus a veteran officer and januarius a

aquus a veteran officer and januarius a aquus a veteran officer and januarius a relative of jovians who was currently relative of jovians who was currently relative of jovians who was currently overseeing Supply operations in overseeing Supply operations in overseeing Supply operations in Alyria but as the officials talk their Alyria but as the officials talk their Alyria but as the officials talk their way through the problem aquus was way through the problem aquus was way through the problem aquus was rejected because he was a bit rough rejected because he was a bit rough rejected because he was a bit rough around the edges too much Soldier and around the edges too much Soldier and around the edges too much Soldier and not enough States not enough States not enough States then januarius was rejected because then januarius was rejected because then januarius was rejected because there would be a frightening lag time there would be a frightening lag time there would be a frightening lag time between now and when we can actually between now and when we can actually between now and when we can actually drape him in the drape him in the drape him in the purple no one wanted to be responsible purple no one wanted to be responsible purple no one wanted to be responsible for opening up a prolonged power for opening up a prolonged power for opening up a prolonged power vacuum so what they needed was an vacuum so what they needed was an vacuum so what they needed was an experienced officer who was educated and experienced officer who was educated and experienced officer who was educated and cultured enough to survive as a cultured enough to survive as a cultured enough to survive as a politician but who was also near enough politician but who was also near enough politician but who was also near enough at hand that we can get him in office at hand that we can get him in office at hand that we can get him in office like right now and then someone like right now and then someone like right now and then someone mentioned valentinian who they had just mentioned valentinian who they had just mentioned valentinian who they had just passed a few days back and they all passed a few days back and they all passed a few days back and they all liked and respected valentinian and the liked and respected valentinian and the liked and respected valentinian and the men seem to like and respect valentinian men seem to like and respect valentinian men seem to like and respect valentinian and he's pretty well educated and hey I and he's pretty well educated and hey I and he's pretty well educated and hey I think we have our man a messenger was sent at once to man a messenger was sent at once to fetch the noout surprised but apparently fetch the noout surprised but apparently fetch the noout surprised but apparently willing valentinian and on February the willing valentinian and on February the willing valentinian and on February the 26th 364 ad he became emperor of the 26th 364 ad he became emperor of the 26th 364 ad he became emperor of the Roman Empire Roman Empire Roman Empire when he emerged to address the assembled when he emerged to address the assembled when he emerged to address the assembled troops however they greeted him more as troops however they greeted him more as troops however they greeted him more as an angry mob than as joyful an angry mob than as joyful an angry mob than as joyful subjects with all the back room picking subjects with all the back room picking subjects with all the back room picking of Emperors lately the soldiers were of Emperors lately the soldiers were of Emperors lately the soldiers were starting to feel left out of the process

starting to feel left out of the process starting to feel left out of the process but valentinian assured them that the but valentinian assured them that the but valentinian assured them that the needs of the army would always come needs of the army would always come needs of the army would always come first and that they had nothing to fear first and that they had nothing to fear first and that they had nothing to fear from Emperor from Emperor from Emperor valentinian after all was he not one of valentinian after all was he not one of valentinian after all was he not one of them them them with the Army now pretty securely on his with the Army now pretty securely on his with the Army now pretty securely on his side valentinian next had to shore up side valentinian next had to shore up side valentinian next had to shore up political support for his new political support for his new political support for his new Dynasty to this end one of his first Dynasty to this end one of his first Dynasty to this end one of his first acts as Emperor was to announce that he acts as Emperor was to announce that he acts as Emperor was to announce that he would be appointing another would be appointing another would be appointing another Emperor with the East not at all secured Emperor with the East not at all secured Emperor with the East not at all secured and the West shaky at best appointing a and the West shaky at best appointing a and the West shaky at best appointing a second Emperor would ensure that second Emperor would ensure that second Emperor would ensure that everyone would have the Imperial everyone would have the Imperial everyone would have the Imperial Authority they needed to respond to Authority they needed to respond to Authority they needed to respond to crisis when they needed it crisis when they needed it crisis when they needed it a few weeks later valentinian completed a few weeks later valentinian completed a few weeks later valentinian completed jian's journey and arrived in jian's journey and arrived in jian's journey and arrived in Constantinople whereupon he announced Constantinople whereupon he announced Constantinople whereupon he announced his choice for his choice for his choice for co-emperor his brother veence the man co-emperor his brother veence the man co-emperor his brother veence the man who as I'm sure you already know will who as I'm sure you already know will who as I'm sure you already know will one day ride out into a swarm of Goths one day ride out into a swarm of Goths one day ride out into a swarm of Goths at the disastrous Battle of Adrien opal at the disastrous Battle of Adrien opal at the disastrous Battle of Adrien opal never to never to never to [Music] return return [Music]

hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 148 the cousin's episode 148 the cousin's episode 148 the cousin's [Music] [Music] [Music] cousin in March of 364 ad the recently cousin in March of 364 ad the recently cousin in March of 364 ad the recently elected Emperor valentinian promoted his elected Emperor valentinian promoted his elected Emperor valentinian promoted his brother veilance to the rank of Co brother veilance to the rank of Co brother veilance to the rank of Co Augustus though this was not the first Augustus though this was not the first Augustus though this was not the first time Blood Brothers would share control time Blood Brothers would share control time Blood Brothers would share control of the Empire it was the first time that of the Empire it was the first time that of the Empire it was the first time that blood brothers would share control of blood brothers would share control of blood brothers would share control of the Empire without also wanting to tear the Empire without also wanting to tear the Empire without also wanting to tear each other's throats each other's throats each other's throats out carala and Getta the sons of out carala and Getta the sons of out carala and Getta the sons of Constantine these men were bitter Constantine these men were bitter Constantine these men were bitter murderous murderous murderous rivals valentinian in veillance on the rivals valentinian in veillance on the rivals valentinian in veillance on the other hand would prove to be other hand would prove to be other hand would prove to be partners the new Emperors were of course partners the new Emperors were of course partners the new Emperors were of course not without their faults but constantly not without their faults but constantly not without their faults but constantly trying to take each other out at the trying to take each other out at the trying to take each other out at the knees wasn't one of knees wasn't one of knees wasn't one of them their example not only Built the them their example not only Built the them their example not only Built the foundations of the Fairly stable foundations of the Fairly stable foundations of the Fairly stable valentinian theodocian Dynasty but it valentinian theodocian Dynasty but it valentinian theodocian Dynasty but it also firmly entrenched an East West also firmly entrenched an East West also firmly entrenched an East West Division of the Empire as the permanent Division of the Empire as the permanent Division of the Empire as the permanent form of Imperial form of Imperial form of Imperial Administration aside from the few years Administration aside from the few years Administration aside from the few years that theodosius will stand as the sole that theodosius will stand as the sole that theodosius will stand as the sole ruler of the Empire at the end of the ruler of the Empire at the end of the ruler of the Empire at the end of the century this was it this was when East century this was it this was when East century this was it this was when East really started to become East and West really started to become East and West really started to become East and West really started to become really started to become really started to become West it didn't have to happen like it West it didn't have to happen like it West it didn't have to happen like it did and at any number of points the did and at any number of points the did and at any number of points the growing Gulf between the two halves of growing Gulf between the two halves of growing Gulf between the two halves of the Empire could have been narrowed the Empire could have been narrowed the Empire could have been narrowed rather than widened but it didn't happen

rather than widened but it didn't happen rather than widened but it didn't happen like that and so the reign of like that and so the reign of like that and so the reign of valentinian and veilance retroactively valentinian and veilance retroactively valentinian and veilance retroactively become something of a become something of a become something of a milestone at the time of course it was milestone at the time of course it was milestone at the time of course it was just another day in the life of the just another day in the life of the just another day in the life of the Roman Empire Imperial power sharing was Roman Empire Imperial power sharing was Roman Empire Imperial power sharing was a wellestablished practice and so the a wellestablished practice and so the a wellestablished practice and so the fact that valentinian and veence were fact that valentinian and veence were fact that valentinian and veence were about to divide up the empire did not about to divide up the empire did not about to divide up the empire did not look to contemporaries like much of a look to contemporaries like much of a look to contemporaries like much of a milestone at all after the promotion of veilance the all after the promotion of veilance the two new co- austi traveled West together two new co- austi traveled West together two new co- austi traveled West together on a brief tour of the danu on a brief tour of the danu on a brief tour of the danu provinces when they arrived at serium provinces when they arrived at serium provinces when they arrived at serium just 50 mi from where they had been born just 50 mi from where they had been born just 50 mi from where they had been born they called a conference of all the they called a conference of all the they called a conference of all the senior Court officials to hash out who senior Court officials to hash out who senior Court officials to hash out who was going to get was going to get was going to get what as the senior Agustus valentinian what as the senior Agustus valentinian what as the senior Agustus valentinian had first dibs on territory and he had first dibs on territory and he had first dibs on territory and he elected to take the Western provinces elected to take the Western provinces elected to take the Western provinces and govern from Milan leaving veence to and govern from Milan leaving veence to and govern from Milan leaving veence to take the Eastern provinces and govern take the Eastern provinces and govern take the Eastern provinces and govern from from from Constantinople this seems like an odd Constantinople this seems like an odd Constantinople this seems like an odd choice for valentinian to make not just choice for valentinian to make not just choice for valentinian to make not just because Constantinople was the central because Constantinople was the central because Constantinople was the central capital of the Empire but because at the capital of the Empire but because at the capital of the Empire but because at the moment the biggest issue facing Rome by moment the biggest issue facing Rome by moment the biggest issue facing Rome by far was how to properly manage the far was how to properly manage the far was how to properly manage the eastern border following jian's peace eastern border following jian's peace eastern border following jian's peace treaty with treaty with treaty with shapur you would think that as senior shapur you would think that as senior shapur you would think that as senior Emperor he would want to personally be Emperor he would want to personally be Emperor he would want to personally be there to oversee the there to oversee the there to oversee the situation but I think the fact that situation but I think the fact that situation but I think the fact that valentinian spent almost his entire valentinian spent almost his entire valentinian spent almost his entire career in the west makes this Choice career in the west makes this Choice career in the west makes this Choice obvious obvious obvious he knew the Western provinces and he

he knew the Western provinces and he he knew the Western provinces and he knew the people of the western provinces knew the people of the western provinces knew the people of the western provinces and he had strong ties to the army of and he had strong ties to the army of and he had strong ties to the army of the western provinces so it makes sense the western provinces so it makes sense the western provinces so it makes sense that he would want to rule the Western provinces Vein on the other hand had no provinces Vein on the other hand had no strong ties one way or the strong ties one way or the strong ties one way or the other unlike his elder brother he had other unlike his elder brother he had other unlike his elder brother he had not initially followed their father into not initially followed their father into not initially followed their father into the service and after vein was born in the service and after vein was born in the service and after vein was born in 328 ad he apparently spent the majority 328 ad he apparently spent the majority 328 ad he apparently spent the majority of his first 30 years years just kind of of his first 30 years years just kind of of his first 30 years years just kind of kicking around the family estates in kicking around the family estates in kicking around the family estates in Alyria it was not until the early 360s Alyria it was not until the early 360s Alyria it was not until the early 360s that veilance finally joined the army that veilance finally joined the army that veilance finally joined the army most likely on the recommendation of most likely on the recommendation of most likely on the recommendation of valentinian as Julian Was preparing for valentinian as Julian Was preparing for valentinian as Julian Was preparing for his invasion of his invasion of his invasion of Persia this meant that the only military Persia this meant that the only military Persia this meant that the only military experience veence had prior to becoming experience veence had prior to becoming experience veence had prior to becoming Emperor was a couple of months wandering Emperor was a couple of months wandering Emperor was a couple of months wandering around the desert and one good around the desert and one good around the desert and one good humiliating humiliating humiliating surrender given this inexperience I surrender given this inexperience I surrender given this inexperience I think Bal winds up acquitting himself think Bal winds up acquitting himself think Bal winds up acquitting himself fairly well over the course of his fairly well over the course of his fairly well over the course of his Imperial career Adrien opal not withstanding for the rest of 364 and withstanding for the rest of 364 and into the summer of into the summer of into the summer of 365 the brothers enjoyed a much needed 365 the brothers enjoyed a much needed 365 the brothers enjoyed a much needed period of calm as they found their period of calm as they found their period of calm as they found their footing established their own men in key footing established their own men in key footing established their own men in key post and generally got acquainted with post and generally got acquainted with post and generally got acquainted with the realities of running the Roman the realities of running the Roman the realities of running the Roman Empire but the calm spell was to be Empire but the calm spell was to be Empire but the calm spell was to be short-lived in late 365 the you know short-lived in late 365 the you know short-lived in late 365 the you know what hit the you know what and both

what hit the you know what and both what hit the you know what and both Emperors found themselves waste deep in Emperors found themselves waste deep in Emperors found themselves waste deep in the really real realities of running the the really real realities of running the the really real realities of running the Roman Empire internal revolts and Roman Empire internal revolts and Roman Empire internal revolts and external external external invasions pretty much par for the course we'll deal more extensively with course we'll deal more extensively with valentinian's problems in the west next valentinian's problems in the west next valentinian's problems in the west next week because this week I want to focus week because this week I want to focus week because this week I want to focus on procopius is Revolt and vent's on procopius is Revolt and vent's on procopius is Revolt and vent's response but just to set the Western response but just to set the Western response but just to set the Western stage a little valentinian's Ascension stage a little valentinian's Ascension stage a little valentinian's Ascension to the throne wound up triggering a to the throne wound up triggering a to the throne wound up triggering a whole new round of alaman whole new round of alaman whole new round of alaman aggression according to amanus marcelus aggression according to amanus marcelus aggression according to amanus marcelus the basic story is that in 365 a the basic story is that in 365 a the basic story is that in 365 a collection of German Chiefs came around collection of German Chiefs came around collection of German Chiefs came around for the annual giving of gifts that for the annual giving of gifts that for the annual giving of gifts that cemented the friendship and partnership cemented the friendship and partnership cemented the friendship and partnership and blah blah blah between the alaman and blah blah blah between the alaman and blah blah blah between the alaman and the Romans and became Mighty and the Romans and became Mighty and the Romans and became Mighty incensed when they saw what the new incensed when they saw what the new incensed when they saw what the new emperor valentinian was emperor valentinian was emperor valentinian was offering I think the modern analogy offering I think the modern analogy offering I think the modern analogy would be that the German kings were used would be that the German kings were used would be that the German kings were used to a nice cash bonus and valentinian was to a nice cash bonus and valentinian was to a nice cash bonus and valentinian was giving them an envelope full of Olive giving them an envelope full of Olive giving them an envelope full of Olive Garden Garden Garden coupons they protested but were coupons they protested but were coupons they protested but were dismissed without even being granted an dismissed without even being granted an dismissed without even being granted an imperial imperial imperial audience on their way back home they audience on their way back home they audience on their way back home they talk themselves into a frenzy over the talk themselves into a frenzy over the talk themselves into a frenzy over the insult and resolved to teach this insult and resolved to teach this insult and resolved to teach this arrogant New Emperor a lesson as in arrogant New Emperor a lesson as in arrogant New Emperor a lesson as in let's see how arrogant he is after we let's see how arrogant he is after we let's see how arrogant he is after we completely overrun Gaul now I should note that this might

Gaul now I should note that this might not be the whole story or even the real not be the whole story or even the real not be the whole story or even the real story of how the alaman came to want to story of how the alaman came to want to story of how the alaman came to want to invade the Roman provinces invade the Roman provinces invade the Roman provinces again it is hard to tell sometimes how again it is hard to tell sometimes how again it is hard to tell sometimes how much of marcelus is depiction of much of marcelus is depiction of much of marcelus is depiction of valentinian is really accurate and how valentinian is really accurate and how valentinian is really accurate and how much of it is just negatively biased much of it is just negatively biased much of it is just negatively biased slander to make marcelus hero Julian slander to make marcelus hero Julian slander to make marcelus hero Julian look even look even look even better apparently though this sort of better apparently though this sort of better apparently though this sort of high-handed treatment of foreign high-handed treatment of foreign high-handed treatment of foreign embassies was a noticeable pattern embassies was a noticeable pattern embassies was a noticeable pattern throughout valentinian's throughout valentinian's throughout valentinian's Reign or at least marcelus wants us to Reign or at least marcelus wants us to Reign or at least marcelus wants us to think it was a very noticeable pattern think it was a very noticeable pattern think it was a very noticeable pattern like I say sometimes it's hard to tell according to the legend valentinian tell according to the legend valentinian learned that an army of alam Mani were learned that an army of alam Mani were learned that an army of alam Mani were invading on November the first 365 invading on November the first 365 invading on November the first 365 ad but by the end of that day he was not ad but by the end of that day he was not ad but by the end of that day he was not preparing to March to the Rind and push preparing to March to the Rind and push preparing to March to the Rind and push the Germans back but Was preparing the Germans back but Was preparing the Germans back but Was preparing instead to March for instead to March for instead to March for Constantinople every one of his friends Constantinople every one of his friends Constantinople every one of his friends and advisers begged him to stay to not and advisers begged him to stay to not and advisers begged him to stay to not abandon Gaul right now at this critical abandon Gaul right now at this critical abandon Gaul right now at this critical hour and to stay until the alamanni were hour and to stay until the alamanni were hour and to stay until the alamanni were driven off after all it was his duty as driven off after all it was his duty as driven off after all it was his duty as Emperor to be here for his Emperor to be here for his Emperor to be here for his people but valentinian was far more people but valentinian was far more people but valentinian was far more concerned about the other piece of news concerned about the other piece of news concerned about the other piece of news he received supposedly on that that same he received supposedly on that that same he received supposedly on that that same day one of Julian's maternal cousins a day one of Julian's maternal cousins a day one of Julian's maternal cousins a man named procopius had seized control man named procopius had seized control man named procopius had seized control of Constantinople and it had himself

of Constantinople and it had himself of Constantinople and it had himself declared declared declared Augustus no one knew if vein was alive Augustus no one knew if vein was alive Augustus no one knew if vein was alive or dead no one really knew what the or dead no one really knew what the or dead no one really knew what the situation was so valentinian was situation was so valentinian was situation was so valentinian was determined to head east and deal with determined to head east and deal with determined to head east and deal with the usurper head the usurper head the usurper head on but hot on the heels of the initial on but hot on the heels of the initial on but hot on the heels of the initial reports were further reports that reports were further reports that reports were further reports that veilance was alive and had been marching veilance was alive and had been marching veilance was alive and had been marching toward Syria at the head of an army when toward Syria at the head of an army when toward Syria at the head of an army when procopius sees procopius sees procopius sees Constantinople so after another round of Constantinople so after another round of Constantinople so after another round of badgering from his friends and advisers badgering from his friends and advisers badgering from his friends and advisers valentinian reluctantly decided to valentinian reluctantly decided to valentinian reluctantly decided to remain in the west and deal with the remain in the west and deal with the remain in the west and deal with the Alam Mani threat and leave procopius to Alam Mani threat and leave procopius to Alam Mani threat and leave procopius to his his his brother the emperor would later say that brother the emperor would later say that brother the emperor would later say that because the Germans were a threat to the because the Germans were a threat to the because the Germans were a threat to the Empire while procopius was merely a Empire while procopius was merely a Empire while procopius was merely a threat to his own family that he had no threat to his own family that he had no threat to his own family that he had no choice but to stay and see to the safe choice but to stay and see to the safe choice but to stay and see to the safe of of of Gul which meant that procopius was Now Gul which meant that procopius was Now Gul which meant that procopius was Now vein's problem and veil's problem vein's problem and veil's problem vein's problem and veil's problem alone it would be his first task not alone it would be his first task not alone it would be his first task not just as an emperor but as a military just as an emperor but as a military just as an emperor but as a military commander and though things started out commander and though things started out commander and though things started out a bit rough I think in the end he a bit rough I think in the end he a bit rough I think in the end he acquitted himself nicely after parting with his brother nicely after parting with his brother veilance had returned to Constantinople veilance had returned to Constantinople veilance had returned to Constantinople where he spent the next year or so where he spent the next year or so where he spent the next year or so getting to know his is half of the getting to know his is half of the getting to know his is half of the Empire though things on the eastern Empire though things on the eastern Empire though things on the eastern border with Persia were relatively quiet border with Persia were relatively quiet border with Persia were relatively quiet for the moment it was obvious to for the moment it was obvious to for the moment it was obvious to everyone that it wasn't going to stay

everyone that it wasn't going to stay everyone that it wasn't going to stay like that like that like that forever as 364 gave way to 365 more and forever as 364 gave way to 365 more and forever as 364 gave way to 365 more and more reports began to filter in about more reports began to filter in about more reports began to filter in about the movement and machinations of the movement and machinations of the movement and machinations of shapur the CED King had apparently shapur the CED King had apparently shapur the CED King had apparently decided that driving the Romans out of decided that driving the Romans out of decided that driving the Romans out of Persia with their tails tucked between Persia with their tails tucked between Persia with their tails tucked between their legs meant that he now pretty much their legs meant that he now pretty much their legs meant that he now pretty much had a free hand to do whatever he wanted had a free hand to do whatever he wanted had a free hand to do whatever he wanted so he started doing whatever he so he started doing whatever he so he started doing whatever he wanted first he moved his forces into wanted first he moved his forces into wanted first he moved his forces into Mesopotamia a territory which so far as Mesopotamia a territory which so far as Mesopotamia a territory which so far as anyone can tell was well outside the anyone can tell was well outside the anyone can tell was well outside the purview of any agreement he had signed purview of any agreement he had signed purview of any agreement he had signed with with with Jovian then he went further and moved Jovian then he went further and moved Jovian then he went further and moved into Armenia and deposed its pro- Roman into Armenia and deposed its pro- Roman into Armenia and deposed its pro- Roman King this was practically a declaration King this was practically a declaration King this was practically a declaration of war the deal had been for Armenian of war the deal had been for Armenian of war the deal had been for Armenian neutrality not for Armenia to be neutrality not for Armenia to be neutrality not for Armenia to be occupied by the cits shapur II is kind of a hard guy to cits shapur II is kind of a hard guy to figure one minute he's readily agreeing figure one minute he's readily agreeing figure one minute he's readily agreeing to treaties so he doesn't have to fight to treaties so he doesn't have to fight to treaties so he doesn't have to fight a pitched battle with the Romans and the a pitched battle with the Romans and the a pitched battle with the Romans and the next he's running around more or less next he's running around more or less next he's running around more or less forcing them to come back to fight forcing them to come back to fight forcing them to come back to fight him it's like he was never quite sure him it's like he was never quite sure him it's like he was never quite sure exactly how strong he really exactly how strong he really exactly how strong he really was sometimes he was was like yeah bring was sometimes he was was like yeah bring was sometimes he was was like yeah bring it on and other times he was like whoa it on and other times he was like whoa it on and other times he was like whoa let's not do something we're going to let's not do something we're going to let's not do something we're going to regret regret regret here these alternating postures were here these alternating postures were here these alternating postures were generally linked to the proximity of a

generally linked to the proximity of a generally linked to the proximity of a hostile Roman army so maybe shapur isn't hostile Roman army so maybe shapur isn't hostile Roman army so maybe shapur isn't that hard of a guy to figure out after all with the CIT busy snatching up a all with the CIT busy snatching up a mile for the inch that they had been mile for the inch that they had been mile for the inch that they had been given the vein had no choice but to head given the vein had no choice but to head given the vein had no choice but to head to Syria and respond to Syria and respond to Syria and respond he gathered back up all the forces that he gathered back up all the forces that he gathered back up all the forces that had accompanied first Jovian and then had accompanied first Jovian and then had accompanied first Jovian and then valentinian to Constantinople and led valentinian to Constantinople and led valentinian to Constantinople and led them back East toward Antioch in the them back East toward Antioch in the them back East toward Antioch in the Autumn of Autumn of Autumn of 365 he had made it as far as cissa when 365 he had made it as far as cissa when 365 he had made it as far as cissa when he got the he got the he got the news a relative of Julian's named news a relative of Julian's named news a relative of Julian's named procopius had induced two Legions to procopius had induced two Legions to procopius had induced two Legions to declare him Augustus and had seized declare him Augustus and had seized declare him Augustus and had seized Constantinople okay so I guess I'm Constantinople okay so I guess I'm Constantinople okay so I guess I'm dealing with that then the natural question to ask at this the natural question to ask at this point is who the hell is point is who the hell is point is who the hell is procopius well procopius was one of the procopius well procopius was one of the procopius well procopius was one of the maternal cousins of Julian the apostate maternal cousins of Julian the apostate maternal cousins of Julian the apostate and thus one of the last men left with and thus one of the last men left with and thus one of the last men left with any kind of connection to the now any kind of connection to the now any kind of connection to the now otherwise extinct constantinian otherwise extinct constantinian otherwise extinct constantinian Dynasty he had been a trusted adviser Dynasty he had been a trusted adviser Dynasty he had been a trusted adviser during Julian's brief Reign and had during Julian's brief Reign and had during Julian's brief Reign and had actually been the man who led the decoy actually been the man who led the decoy actually been the man who led the decoy Army that had distracted shapur during Army that had distracted shapur during Army that had distracted shapur during Julian's invasion of Julian's invasion of Julian's invasion of Persia this meant that he had not been Persia this meant that he had not been Persia this meant that he had not been there when his cousin there when his cousin there when his cousin died had procopius been there his died had procopius been there his died had procopius been there his familiar connection might have led the

familiar connection might have led the familiar connection might have led the officers to select him instead of Jovian officers to select him instead of Jovian officers to select him instead of Jovian but that is merely a possibility because but that is merely a possibility because but that is merely a possibility because procopius was not exactly a beloved man procopius was not exactly a beloved man procopius was not exactly a beloved man in the in the in the ranks for example the fact that he was ranks for example the fact that he was ranks for example the fact that he was not with the main Army when Julian died not with the main Army when Julian died not with the main Army when Julian died was a cause of of much irritation within was a cause of of much irritation within was a cause of of much irritation within the senior staff who wound up feeling the senior staff who wound up feeling the senior staff who wound up feeling like the whole debacle could have been like the whole debacle could have been like the whole debacle could have been avoided had procopius pushed harder to avoided had procopius pushed harder to avoided had procopius pushed harder to link up with the rest of the army link up with the rest of the army link up with the rest of the army instead of taking his sweet Time instead of taking his sweet Time instead of taking his sweet Time marching South and leaving Julian unreinforced but whether procopius would unreinforced but whether procopius would have been chosen is neither here nor have been chosen is neither here nor have been chosen is neither here nor there because he wasn't and when the there because he wasn't and when the there because he wasn't and when the decoy Army finally did link up with the decoy Army finally did link up with the decoy Army finally did link up with the main Army Jovian was Emperor and the main Army Jovian was Emperor and the main Army Jovian was Emperor and the Romans were in Retreat we have conflicting accounts of Retreat we have conflicting accounts of what happened what happened what happened next according to zamus procopius met next according to zamus procopius met next according to zamus procopius met with Jovian and asked permission to with Jovian and asked permission to with Jovian and asked permission to retire to public life a request that retire to public life a request that retire to public life a request that Jovian Jovian Jovian granted according to marcelus though the granted according to marcelus though the granted according to marcelus though the minute procopius heard Jovian was in minute procopius heard Jovian was in minute procopius heard Jovian was in charge he went into hiding fearing that charge he went into hiding fearing that charge he went into hiding fearing that his connection to Julian would lead his connection to Julian would lead his connection to Julian would lead Jovian to see him as a threat Jovian to see him as a threat Jovian to see him as a threat either way when Jovian died 8 months either way when Jovian died 8 months either way when Jovian died 8 months later procopius was out of the public later procopius was out of the public later procopius was out of the public eye and likely living somewhere near eye and likely living somewhere near eye and likely living somewhere near capid doia though there is some ambiguity

doia though there is some ambiguity about the attitude of Jovian towards about the attitude of Jovian towards about the attitude of Jovian towards procopius there is no ambiguity about procopius there is no ambiguity about procopius there is no ambiguity about the attitude of valentinian and veilance the attitude of valentinian and veilance the attitude of valentinian and veilance towards towards towards procopius they didn't like him or his procopius they didn't like him or his procopius they didn't like him or his connection to the constantinian dynasty connection to the constantinian dynasty connection to the constantinian dynasty one one one bit so shortly after becoming co-emperor bit so shortly after becoming co-emperor bit so shortly after becoming co-emperor veilance ordered some agents to go track veilance ordered some agents to go track veilance ordered some agents to go track down Julian's cousin and arrest down Julian's cousin and arrest down Julian's cousin and arrest him procopius managed to give his him procopius managed to give his him procopius managed to give his wouldbe captors the slip and for the wouldbe captors the slip and for the wouldbe captors the slip and for the next year or so he fell completely off next year or so he fell completely off next year or so he fell completely off the the the radar then he showed up in radar then he showed up in radar then he showed up in Constantinople in September of Constantinople in September of Constantinople in September of 365 and suddenly was on everyone's radar procopius had apparently decided radar procopius had apparently decided decided while he was in hiding that his decided while he was in hiding that his decided while he was in hiding that his best chance of survival was to go best chance of survival was to go best chance of survival was to go big eventually he was going to be big eventually he was going to be big eventually he was going to be betrayed into veen's hands so why not betrayed into veen's hands so why not betrayed into veen's hands so why not take a shot at cutting off those hands take a shot at cutting off those hands take a shot at cutting off those hands before they could get to before they could get to before they could get to him opportunity knocked when procopius him opportunity knocked when procopius him opportunity knocked when procopius learned how dissatisfied the people of learned how dissatisfied the people of learned how dissatisfied the people of Constantinople were with petronus the Constantinople were with petronus the Constantinople were with petronus the emperor's father-in-law and the man emperor's father-in-law and the man emperor's father-in-law and the man veilance had left in charge of the city veilance had left in charge of the city veilance had left in charge of the city when he had gone when he had gone when he had gone East apparently pronus was one of those East apparently pronus was one of those East apparently pronus was one of those his cruelty is matched only by his greed his cruelty is matched only by his greed his cruelty is matched only by his greed types so with the emperor's types so with the emperor's types so with the emperor's representative thoroughly unpopular and representative thoroughly unpopular and representative thoroughly unpopular and the emperor himself moving further away the emperor himself moving further away the emperor himself moving further away by the day procopius figured that now

by the day procopius figured that now by the day procopius figured that now was his best chance at pulling off a was his best chance at pulling off a was his best chance at pulling off a coup so he snuck into Constantinople and coup so he snuck into Constantinople and coup so he snuck into Constantinople and began feeling out possible began feeling out possible began feeling out possible conspirators he had the Good Fortune to conspirators he had the Good Fortune to conspirators he had the Good Fortune to stumble upon two Legions passing through stumble upon two Legions passing through stumble upon two Legions passing through the capital who just so happened to have the capital who just so happened to have the capital who just so happened to have been loyal loyal to the constantinian in been loyal loyal to the constantinian in been loyal loyal to the constantinian in general and Julian in general and Julian in general and Julian in particular with the usual Promises of particular with the usual Promises of particular with the usual Promises of great reward the men of these Legions great reward the men of these Legions great reward the men of these Legions pledged themselves to Julian's cousin pledged themselves to Julian's cousin pledged themselves to Julian's cousin hailed him as Augustus and helped him hailed him as Augustus and helped him hailed him as Augustus and helped him seize control of the Imperial seize control of the Imperial seize control of the Imperial Palace I haven't been able to nail down Palace I haven't been able to nail down Palace I haven't been able to nail down Patronus his fate but I would guess that Patronus his fate but I would guess that Patronus his fate but I would guess that if he didn't Escape then he was put to death at first the citizens of death at first the citizens of Constantinople seemed more bemused by Constantinople seemed more bemused by Constantinople seemed more bemused by procopius as coup than anything else but procopius as coup than anything else but procopius as coup than anything else but the wouldbe emperor was a Savvy operator the wouldbe emperor was a Savvy operator the wouldbe emperor was a Savvy operator and launched a concerted propaganda and launched a concerted propaganda and launched a concerted propaganda campaign to win their campaign to win their campaign to win their support first he paid a few incoming support first he paid a few incoming support first he paid a few incoming travelers from the West to tell anyone travelers from the West to tell anyone travelers from the West to tell anyone who would listen that valentinian had who would listen that valentinian had who would listen that valentinian had actually died so it's not like I'm actually died so it's not like I'm actually died so it's not like I'm usurping anyone usurping anyone usurping anyone here then he issued coins highlighting here then he issued coins highlighting here then he issued coins highlighting his ties to the house of Constantine his ties to the house of Constantine his ties to the house of Constantine and made sure that he was accompanied in and made sure that he was accompanied in and made sure that he was accompanied in public by constantius II's Widow fosa public by constantius II's Widow fosa public by constantius II's Widow fosa and the dead Emperor's young daughter and the dead Emperor's young daughter and the dead Emperor's young daughter constantina then came the coup gr constantina then came the coup gr constantina then came the coup gr procopius began telling people that on

procopius began telling people that on procopius began telling people that on the eve of the Eastern Invasion that the eve of the Eastern Invasion that the eve of the Eastern Invasion that Julian had told him that should anything Julian had told him that should anything Julian had told him that should anything happen that he wanted procopius to rise happen that he wanted procopius to rise happen that he wanted procopius to rise in his in his in his place luckily there were no witnesses to place luckily there were no witnesses to place luckily there were no witnesses to this momentous pronouncement this momentous pronouncement this momentous pronouncement the people of Constantinople were thus the people of Constantinople were thus the people of Constantinople were thus ens snared by a web of disinformation ens snared by a web of disinformation ens snared by a web of disinformation and sentimentality and came to support and sentimentality and came to support and sentimentality and came to support procopius because it seemed like well if procopius because it seemed like well if procopius because it seemed like well if valentinian's dead someone has to rule valentinian's dead someone has to rule valentinian's dead someone has to rule and we may as well go back to someone and we may as well go back to someone and we may as well go back to someone from Constantine's royal from Constantine's royal from Constantine's royal family except yeah valentinian wasn't family except yeah valentinian wasn't family except yeah valentinian wasn't dead and neither was dead and neither was dead and neither was veilance the Western Augustus as I veilance the Western Augustus as I veilance the Western Augustus as I already mentioned was all set to March already mentioned was all set to March already mentioned was all set to March East until he was talked out of it by East until he was talked out of it by East until he was talked out of it by his his his advisers meanwhile veil was at first advisers meanwhile veil was at first advisers meanwhile veil was at first unsure of what to do he had only been in unsure of what to do he had only been in unsure of what to do he had only been in office for a year had no real legitimacy office for a year had no real legitimacy office for a year had no real legitimacy of his own besides the fact that he was of his own besides the fact that he was of his own besides the fact that he was valentinian's brother and here a member valentinian's brother and here a member valentinian's brother and here a member of the old Imperial family had seized of the old Imperial family had seized of the old Imperial family had seized control of the control of the control of the capital his thoughts turned first to the capital his thoughts turned first to the capital his thoughts turned first to the merits of abdication and merits of abdication and merits of abdication and suicide but after passing through this suicide but after passing through this suicide but after passing through this dark night of the Soul veilance prompted dark night of the Soul veilance prompted dark night of the Soul veilance prompted by supportive officers resolved to fight by supportive officers resolved to fight by supportive officers resolved to fight for his for his for his throne but he had a problem he didn't throne but he had a problem he didn't throne but he had a problem he didn't really have much of anyone available to really have much of anyone available to really have much of anyone available to fight fight fight with when he got the news of procopio's

with when he got the news of procopio's with when he got the news of procopio's Revolt he was at a port in cissa having Revolt he was at a port in cissa having Revolt he was at a port in cissa having just watched most of his army set sail just watched most of his army set sail just watched most of his army set sail for for for Syria he was supposed to follow himself Syria he was supposed to follow himself Syria he was supposed to follow himself with the last few ships but now well now with the last few ships but now well now with the last few ships but now well now what should he do time was of the essence so Veil do time was of the essence so Veil turned around and headed back to turned around and headed back to turned around and headed back to Constantinople sending two crack units Constantinople sending two crack units Constantinople sending two crack units ahead to try to take back the ahead to try to take back the ahead to try to take back the city but this force was not nearly city but this force was not nearly city but this force was not nearly strong enough to get the job done and strong enough to get the job done and strong enough to get the job done and when they arrived procopius simply when they arrived procopius simply when they arrived procopius simply talked them into coming over to his talked them into coming over to his talked them into coming over to his side when veence himself arrived on the side when veence himself arrived on the side when veence himself arrived on the east side of the BOS forus with his east side of the BOS forus with his east side of the BOS forus with his small army and began operations to re small army and began operations to re small army and began operations to re secure the straight he was driven off secure the straight he was driven off secure the straight he was driven off and nearly captured by the surprisingly and nearly captured by the surprisingly and nearly captured by the surprisingly stiff resistance of procopius stiff resistance of procopius stiff resistance of procopius men with a light and quick retaking of men with a light and quick retaking of men with a light and quick retaking of Constantinople now out of the question Constantinople now out of the question Constantinople now out of the question vein withdrew back to anira to wait for vein withdrew back to anira to wait for vein withdrew back to anira to wait for reinforcements so he could play the old reinforcements so he could play the old reinforcements so he could play the old massively Superior forces card The Fortunes of procopius peaked card The Fortunes of procopius peaked around New Years when through hook Crook around New Years when through hook Crook around New Years when through hook Crook and a few well-placed bribes he found and a few well-placed bribes he found and a few well-placed bribes he found himself controlling the neighboring himself controlling the neighboring himself controlling the neighboring provinces of thce and bethenia in provinces of thce and bethenia in provinces of thce and bethenia in addition to the territory immediately addition to the territory immediately addition to the territory immediately surrounding surrounding surrounding Constantinople but that was the high Constantinople but that was the high Constantinople but that was the high water mark he made a play at seasoning water mark he made a play at seasoning water mark he made a play at seasoning control of Alyria which would have been

control of Alyria which would have been control of Alyria which would have been a huge Boon to his cause but procopius a huge Boon to his cause but procopius a huge Boon to his cause but procopius agents were stopped dead in their tracks agents were stopped dead in their tracks agents were stopped dead in their tracks by atius the general who had been a by atius the general who had been a by atius the general who had been a candidate himself for the Imperial candidate himself for the Imperial candidate himself for the Imperial Throne before the court officials had Throne before the court officials had Throne before the court officials had settled on settled on settled on valentinian stalled out procopius now valentinian stalled out procopius now valentinian stalled out procopius now found himself with a lot of outstanding found himself with a lot of outstanding found himself with a lot of outstanding promises to cover without really having promises to cover without really having promises to cover without really having any means to pay for it all so he began any means to pay for it all so he began any means to pay for it all so he began focusing all his attention on rounding focusing all his attention on rounding focusing all his attention on rounding up wealthy men to help Finance his up wealthy men to help Finance his up wealthy men to help Finance his little little little revolution rather than focusing on the revolution rather than focusing on the revolution rather than focusing on the small matter of the now large army small matter of the now large army small matter of the now large army veilance had gathered up in anara when the spring came vein anara when the spring came vein descended into friia with the intention descended into friia with the intention descended into friia with the intention of approaching Constantinople from the of approaching Constantinople from the of approaching Constantinople from the south procopius ordered his best General south procopius ordered his best General south procopius ordered his best General to meet them but at the ensuing Battle to meet them but at the ensuing Battle to meet them but at the ensuing Battle of Thea procopius as general was soundly of Thea procopius as general was soundly of Thea procopius as general was soundly defeated the army of vein then moved defeated the army of vein then moved defeated the army of vein then moved North where they tracked down and North where they tracked down and North where they tracked down and confronted Julian's cousin confronted Julian's cousin confronted Julian's cousin directly I imagine at this point that directly I imagine at this point that directly I imagine at this point that procopius was getting ready to make a procopius was getting ready to make a procopius was getting ready to make a Last Stand go down fighting in a blaze Last Stand go down fighting in a blaze Last Stand go down fighting in a blaze of glory and all that but his men didn't of glory and all that but his men didn't of glory and all that but his men didn't give him a give him a give him a chance when veil's Army arrived a few of chance when veil's Army arrived a few of chance when veil's Army arrived a few of the officers under procopius command did the officers under procopius command did the officers under procopius command did some quick math realized they were some quick math realized they were some quick math realized they were probably doomed and put procopius in probably doomed and put procopius in probably doomed and put procopius in Chains after he was handed over to

Chains after he was handed over to Chains after he was handed over to veilance the wouldbe emperor was veilance the wouldbe emperor was veilance the wouldbe emperor was immediately beheaded on May of the 27th immediately beheaded on May of the 27th immediately beheaded on May of the 27th 366 ad about 8 months after the initial 366 ad about 8 months after the initial 366 ad about 8 months after the initial coup coup coup though procopius himself was now dead though procopius himself was now dead though procopius himself was now dead his family's fortunes were not doomed his family's fortunes were not doomed his family's fortunes were not doomed forever and one of his descendants forever and one of his descendants forever and one of his descendants another procopius would become a another procopius would become a another procopius would become a prominent enough General that in the mid prominent enough General that in the mid prominent enough General that in the mid 400s his son anthemus will be placed on 400s his son anthemus will be placed on 400s his son anthemus will be placed on the western the western the western throne but I'm sure that was of small throne but I'm sure that was of small throne but I'm sure that was of small Comfort to our now headless procopius so Veen survived his first procopius so Veen survived his first real test in power only moderately worse real test in power only moderately worse real test in power only moderately worse for the for the for the wear he had lost a year in his dealings wear he had lost a year in his dealings wear he had lost a year in his dealings with shapur but in the process he had with shapur but in the process he had with shapur but in the process he had firmly cemented his own firmly cemented his own firmly cemented his own legitimacy his victory over procopius legitimacy his victory over procopius legitimacy his victory over procopius meant that the constantinian were out meant that the constantinian were out meant that the constantinian were out and the valentinians were and the valentinians were and the valentinians were in back in the west I'm sure that in back in the west I'm sure that in back in the west I'm sure that valentinian who was probably nervous valentinian who was probably nervous valentinian who was probably nervous about his brother's chances received about his brother's chances received about his brother's chances received this news with a great deal of this news with a great deal of this news with a great deal of satisfaction satisfaction satisfaction on top of the fact that his brother was on top of the fact that his brother was on top of the fact that his brother was still alive and his brother's grip on still alive and his brother's grip on still alive and his brother's grip on power was now stronger than ever it was power was now stronger than ever it was power was now stronger than ever it was probably nice for valentinian just to probably nice for valentinian just to probably nice for valentinian just to receive any good news at receive any good news at receive any good news at all because since that fateful November all because since that fateful November all because since that fateful November the 1st things had not gone well for the the 1st things had not gone well for the the 1st things had not gone well for the Western Emperor at

Western Emperor at Western Emperor at all at first valentinian had tried to all at first valentinian had tried to all at first valentinian had tried to deal with the alaman invasion by sending deal with the alaman invasion by sending deal with the alaman invasion by sending a couple of armies out under subordinate a couple of armies out under subordinate a couple of armies out under subordinate Commanders but both had not only failed Commanders but both had not only failed Commanders but both had not only failed to contain the Germans but they had to contain the Germans but they had to contain the Germans but they had gotten themselves killed in the gotten themselves killed in the gotten themselves killed in the process so in the spring of 365 as vein process so in the spring of 365 as vein process so in the spring of 365 as vein was marching on procopius valentinian was marching on procopius valentinian was marching on procopius valentinian sent out another Army this one headed by sent out another Army this one headed by sent out another Army this one headed by his master of the his master of the his master of the horse but while this Army had not gotten horse but while this Army had not gotten horse but while this Army had not gotten beat and the master of the horse had not beat and the master of the horse had not beat and the master of the horse had not gotten dead they had proved themselves gotten dead they had proved themselves gotten dead they had proved themselves to be incapable of putting the Germans to be incapable of putting the Germans to be incapable of putting the Germans away away away by the time valentinian received by the time valentinian received by the time valentinian received procopius his head in a box with procopius his head in a box with procopius his head in a box with veilance compliments of course he was veilance compliments of course he was veilance compliments of course he was getting ready to sack his master of the getting ready to sack his master of the getting ready to sack his master of the horse and replace him with yet another horse and replace him with yet another horse and replace him with yet another Commander this time a man named jenus no Commander this time a man named jenus no Commander this time a man named jenus no relation to the dead Emperor with jenus in charge things Emperor with jenus in charge things finally started to go right the field finally started to go right the field finally started to go right the field commander was able to report back that commander was able to report back that commander was able to report back that with the winter approaching the alaman with the winter approaching the alaman with the winter approaching the alaman were fleeing back across the were fleeing back across the were fleeing back across the rine valentinian's Fury over this whole rine valentinian's Fury over this whole rine valentinian's Fury over this whole situation had been frustrated by the situation had been frustrated by the situation had been frustrated by the fact that he had been unable to make any fact that he had been unable to make any fact that he had been unable to make any Headway against the Headway against the Headway against the Germans now that they were back across Germans now that they were back across Germans now that they were back across the Rind his anger could really be the Rind his anger could really be the Rind his anger could really be Unleashed he spent the winter of 367 368 Unleashed he spent the winter of 367 368 Unleashed he spent the winter of 367 368 Gathering a massive Army that he planned

Gathering a massive Army that he planned Gathering a massive Army that he planned to send across the Rind the following to send across the Rind the following to send across the Rind the following spring to pay the Alami back tenfold for spring to pay the Alami back tenfold for spring to pay the Alami back tenfold for what they had what they had what they had done done done but just as he was gearing up for what but just as he was gearing up for what but just as he was gearing up for what was sure to be a cathartic burn pillage was sure to be a cathartic burn pillage was sure to be a cathartic burn pillage and murder campaign through Germany word and murder campaign through Germany word and murder campaign through Germany word came down from the north that something came down from the north that something came down from the north that something big had just happened something big had just happened something big had just happened something coordinated something coordinated something coordinated something overwhelming what was that overwhelming what was that overwhelming what was that something what could be so important as something what could be so important as something what could be so important as to draw valentinian away from his to draw valentinian away from his to draw valentinian away from his beloved punitive beloved punitive beloved punitive Expedition could it have anything to do Expedition could it have anything to do Expedition could it have anything to do with the slipping Imperial grip on the with the slipping Imperial grip on the with the slipping Imperial grip on the island of Britain island of Britain island of Britain find out next week on another exciting find out next week on another exciting find out next week on another exciting episode of The History of Rome when we episode of The History of Rome when we episode of The History of Rome when we get our first look at one of the most get our first look at one of the most get our first look at one of the most famous of all the late Antiquity German famous of all the late Antiquity German famous of all the late Antiquity German confederations those damned marauding confederations those damned marauding confederations those damned marauding Pirates the Pirates the Pirates the [Music] [Music] [Music] Saxons hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 149 the great

conspiracy last time we focused mostly conspiracy last time we focused mostly on the brief Revolt of procopius the on the brief Revolt of procopius the on the brief Revolt of procopius the last man to W Constantine's last man to W Constantine's last man to W Constantine's Banner after his defeat in May of 365 Banner after his defeat in May of 365 Banner after his defeat in May of 365 the torrent of History would blindly the torrent of History would blindly the torrent of History would blindly Rush on and the combined valentinian Rush on and the combined valentinian Rush on and the combined valentinian theodosian Dynasty would supplant the theodosian Dynasty would supplant the theodosian Dynasty would supplant the constantinian dynasty as the ruling constantinian dynasty as the ruling constantinian dynasty as the ruling family of the Roman family of the Roman family of the Roman Empire with veilance now secure on the Empire with veilance now secure on the Empire with veilance now secure on the throne in the East this week I want to throne in the East this week I want to throne in the East this week I want to focus on valentinian's problems in the focus on valentinian's problems in the focus on valentinian's problems in the west of which there were two main west of which there were two main west of which there were two main centers of centers of centers of action the first was the ongoing and action the first was the ongoing and action the first was the ongoing and frustrating campaign against the alaman frustrating campaign against the alaman frustrating campaign against the alaman on the upper rine and the second was the on the upper rine and the second was the on the upper rine and the second was the short-lived but very nearly catastrophic short-lived but very nearly catastrophic short-lived but very nearly catastrophic war on the island of war on the island of war on the island of Britain valentinian thought that he was Britain valentinian thought that he was Britain valentinian thought that he was only going to have to deal with the only going to have to deal with the only going to have to deal with the former but in the winter of 367 former but in the winter of 367 former but in the winter of 367 completely out of nowhere the completely out of nowhere the completely out of nowhere the northernmost reaches of the empire were northernmost reaches of the empire were northernmost reaches of the empire were overwhelmed all at once by old overwhelmed all at once by old overwhelmed all at once by old adversaries like the pcks and the Franks adversaries like the pcks and the Franks adversaries like the pcks and the Franks and new adversaries like the and new adversaries like the and new adversaries like the Saxons Saxons Saxons the simultaneous assault was clearly a the simultaneous assault was clearly a the simultaneous assault was clearly a coordinated effort between these coordinated effort between these coordinated effort between these otherwise desperate tribes and it took otherwise desperate tribes and it took otherwise desperate tribes and it took the northern Roman command completely by the northern Roman command completely by the northern Roman command completely by surprise though for a Time The surprise though for a Time The surprise though for a Time The Barbarians held the initiative and Barbarians held the initiative and Barbarians held the initiative and control of Britain was suddenly in doubt control of Britain was suddenly in doubt control of Britain was suddenly in doubt the main upshot of the war was that it the main upshot of the war was that it the main upshot of the war was that it brought the theodosian to the Forefront brought the theodosian to the Forefront brought the theodosian to the Forefront of Imperial politics and paved the way of Imperial politics and paved the way of Imperial politics and paved the way for their entry into the ruling

Dynasty the trouble in Britain likely Dynasty the trouble in Britain likely began as a result of simple began as a result of simple began as a result of simple neglect the last time the island was neglect the last time the island was neglect the last time the island was really a top level priority was way back really a top level priority was way back really a top level priority was way back when prior to the creation of the when prior to the creation of the when prior to the creation of the tetrarchy when corus tetrarchy when corus tetrarchy when corus revolted Constantine later paid a decent revolted Constantine later paid a decent revolted Constantine later paid a decent amount of attention to the island amount of attention to the island amount of attention to the island because of his own personal ties to the because of his own personal ties to the because of his own personal ties to the province but once he was gone his sons province but once he was gone his sons province but once he was gone his sons essentially left the Britains to their essentially left the Britains to their essentially left the Britains to their own own own devices so for a generation at least a devices so for a generation at least a devices so for a generation at least a sort of decaying inertia took over the sort of decaying inertia took over the sort of decaying inertia took over the Roman administration had become one part Roman administration had become one part Roman administration had become one part lazy and one part corrupt the Roman lazy and one part corrupt the Roman lazy and one part corrupt the Roman soldiers were far removed from the main soldiers were far removed from the main soldiers were far removed from the main action of the 4th century and so had no action of the 4th century and so had no action of the 4th century and so had no access to the kind of bonuses and access to the kind of bonuses and access to the kind of bonuses and donativo by other Legions the local donativo by other Legions the local donativo by other Legions the local citizens were just sort of going through citizens were just sort of going through citizens were just sort of going through the motions too romanized to be the motions too romanized to be the motions too romanized to be considered wild natives but not considered wild natives but not considered wild natives but not romanized enough to really love the romanized enough to really love the romanized enough to really love the Imperial bureaucrats who ruled them and Imperial bureaucrats who ruled them and Imperial bureaucrats who ruled them and finally trade across the English Channel finally trade across the English Channel finally trade across the English Channel the lifeblood of the Romano British the lifeblood of the Romano British the lifeblood of the Romano British economy was frequently disrupted by economy was frequently disrupted by economy was frequently disrupted by opportunistic Franks or Saxons a new opportunistic Franks or Saxons a new opportunistic Franks or Saxons a new Confederation that we'll get to in a Confederation that we'll get to in a Confederation that we'll get to in a second the whole thing had just become second the whole thing had just become second the whole thing had just become stagnant unhappy and unprofitable unfortunately for us really unprofitable unfortunately for us really good details about who started talking good details about who started talking good details about who started talking to who when and why are lacking in the to who when and why are lacking in the to who when and why are lacking in the historical record but it appears that a historical record but it appears that a historical record but it appears that a few of the leaders from a few of the few of the leaders from a few of the few of the leaders from a few of the different tribes surrounding Britannia

different tribes surrounding Britannia different tribes surrounding Britannia looked at the state of the province and looked at the state of the province and looked at the state of the province and saw a golden saw a golden saw a golden opportunity the Barbarian leaders opportunity the Barbarian leaders opportunity the Barbarian leaders calculated that with the Imperial calculated that with the Imperial calculated that with the Imperial apparatus as atrophied as it was if it apparatus as atrophied as it was if it apparatus as atrophied as it was if it was hit from multiple sides all at once was hit from multiple sides all at once was hit from multiple sides all at once the chances of it cracking completely the chances of it cracking completely the chances of it cracking completely were likely pretty were likely pretty were likely pretty high then it would just be a matter of high then it would just be a matter of high then it would just be a matter of marching around and picking up whatever marching around and picking up whatever marching around and picking up whatever you wanted and caring at you wanted and caring at you wanted and caring at home this sounded like a pretty good home this sounded like a pretty good home this sounded like a pretty good idea to a lot lot of different people idea to a lot lot of different people idea to a lot lot of different people and so using whatever channels they use and so using whatever channels they use and so using whatever channels they use to communicate the PS up in calonia some to communicate the PS up in calonia some to communicate the PS up in calonia some tribes from over on hiberia Ireland to tribes from over on hiberia Ireland to tribes from over on hiberia Ireland to you and me the Franks down on the you and me the Franks down on the you and me the Franks down on the Northern Continental coast and the Northern Continental coast and the Northern Continental coast and the Saxons from over near the Jutland agreed Saxons from over near the Jutland agreed Saxons from over near the Jutland agreed to simultaneously invade to simultaneously invade to simultaneously invade Britannia the Assumption was that the Britannia the Assumption was that the Britannia the Assumption was that the Romans would not at all be prepared for Romans would not at all be prepared for Romans would not at all be prepared for that kind of coordinated offensive and that kind of coordinated offensive and that kind of coordinated offensive and even though assumptions usually make an even though assumptions usually make an even though assumptions usually make an ass out of you and me this time the ass out of you and me this time the ass out of you and me this time the Assumption was Assumption was Assumption was spoton the Romans were not at all spoton the Romans were not at all spoton the Romans were not at all prepared for that kind of coordinated assault but before we get into the guts assault but before we get into the guts of this thing I do want to formally of this thing I do want to formally of this thing I do want to formally introduce the introduce the introduce the Saxons though in the end they are a Saxons though in the end they are a Saxons though in the end they are a comparatively minor player in the comparatively minor player in the comparatively minor player in the history of Rome in the history of the history of Rome in the history of the history of Rome in the history of the world they are a pretty big deal as they world they are a pretty big deal as they world they are a pretty big deal as they formed a key part of the German formed a key part of the German formed a key part of the German migration that swept into Britain migration that swept into Britain migration that swept into Britain following the the collapse of the Empire following the the collapse of the Empire following the the collapse of the Empire helping to establish the foundations of

helping to establish the foundations of helping to establish the foundations of modern Anglo-Saxon Britain in the modern Anglo-Saxon Britain in the modern Anglo-Saxon Britain in the process in the 300s ad though they were process in the 300s ad though they were process in the 300s ad though they were little more than a loose collection of little more than a loose collection of little more than a loose collection of German tribesmen who lived at the base German tribesmen who lived at the base German tribesmen who lived at the base of the Jutland the Danish Peninsula that of the Jutland the Danish Peninsula that of the Jutland the Danish Peninsula that sticks out of the top of Mainland Europe sticks out of the top of Mainland Europe sticks out of the top of Mainland Europe like a little like a little like a little Periscope much less organized than the Periscope much less organized than the Periscope much less organized than the Franks or the alaman scholars are none Franks or the alaman scholars are none Franks or the alaman scholars are none too confident about what exactly makes a too confident about what exactly makes a too confident about what exactly makes a Saxon a Saxon at this point in history Saxon a Saxon at this point in history Saxon a Saxon at this point in history history but references to Pirate bands history but references to Pirate bands history but references to Pirate bands bearing that name begin to pop up during bearing that name begin to pop up during bearing that name begin to pop up during Julian Gall campaign and it is clear Julian Gall campaign and it is clear Julian Gall campaign and it is clear that some group identified as Saxon that some group identified as Saxon that some group identified as Saxon played a major role in the Barbarian played a major role in the Barbarian played a major role in the Barbarian conspiracy that we're about to dive conspiracy that we're about to dive conspiracy that we're about to dive into on a side note it is possible that into on a side note it is possible that into on a side note it is possible that it was primarily Saxon piracy that led it was primarily Saxon piracy that led it was primarily Saxon piracy that led the Romans to develop these so-called the Romans to develop these so-called the Romans to develop these so-called Saxon Shore military District which was Saxon Shore military District which was Saxon Shore military District which was a string of military forts on the a string of military forts on the a string of military forts on the southern coast of Britain unified under southern coast of Britain unified under southern coast of Britain unified under a single a single a single command that said some have argued that command that said some have argued that command that said some have argued that the network was actually set up by krois the network was actually set up by krois the network was actually set up by krois during his Revolt to defend the island during his Revolt to defend the island during his Revolt to defend the island against maximan and constantius and against maximan and constantius and against maximan and constantius and others have argued that the term Saxon others have argued that the term Saxon others have argued that the term Saxon Shore actually refers to the fact that Shore actually refers to the fact that Shore actually refers to the fact that the area was heavily settled by the the area was heavily settled by the the area was heavily settled by the Saxons not because these forts were Saxons not because these forts were Saxons not because these forts were designed to repel designed to repel designed to repel them either way the fortification them either way the fortification them either way the fortification network was likely up and running as a network was likely up and running as a network was likely up and running as a single command at this point in our single command at this point in our single command at this point in our story and they were absolutely story and they were absolutely story and they were absolutely completely and totally

ineffective I have seen it reported a ineffective I have seen it reported a number of different places that the number of different places that the number of different places that the coordinated invasion of Britannia began coordinated invasion of Britannia began coordinated invasion of Britannia began when the picks brib the Garrison when the picks brib the Garrison when the picks brib the Garrison guarding Hadrian's Wall to let them pass guarding Hadrian's Wall to let them pass guarding Hadrian's Wall to let them pass but I can't figure out exactly where but I can't figure out exactly where but I can't figure out exactly where this detail is coming from since neither this detail is coming from since neither this detail is coming from since neither zamus nor Mar helenus mentions zamus nor Mar helenus mentions zamus nor Mar helenus mentions it it is certainly a plausible detail it it is certainly a plausible detail it it is certainly a plausible detail since both his historians explicitly since both his historians explicitly since both his historians explicitly state that deserting soldiers were as state that deserting soldiers were as state that deserting soldiers were as big a problem as foreign barbarians big a problem as foreign barbarians big a problem as foreign barbarians during the next year and I can during the next year and I can during the next year and I can definitely see members of the hadrians definitely see members of the hadrians definitely see members of the hadrians wall Garrison having now committed some wall Garrison having now committed some wall Garrison having now committed some light treason simply abandoning their light treason simply abandoning their light treason simply abandoning their posts after letting the pcks posts after letting the pcks posts after letting the pcks through but I can't nail down a source through but I can't nail down a source through but I can't nail down a source for this fun little nugget and so I for this fun little nugget and so I for this fun little nugget and so I don't want to say that this is how it don't want to say that this is how it don't want to say that this is how it happened if anyone knows where this is happened if anyone knows where this is happened if anyone knows where this is coming from though by all means drop me coming from though by all means drop me coming from though by all means drop me a line because all I have in the way of a line because all I have in the way of a line because all I have in the way of detail right now is that in early 367 detail right now is that in early 367 detail right now is that in early 367 Britannia was overwhelmed from all sides Britannia was overwhelmed from all sides Britannia was overwhelmed from all sides by Barbarian Raiders and so that's as by Barbarian Raiders and so that's as by Barbarian Raiders and so that's as far as I'm willing to go right far as I'm willing to go right far as I'm willing to go right now once The Barbarians were inside the now once The Barbarians were inside the now once The Barbarians were inside the province though there is no confusion province though there is no confusion province though there is no confusion about how things went from about how things went from about how things went from there hit by surprise from all sides the there hit by surprise from all sides the there hit by surprise from all sides the Roman defenses crumbled the commander of Roman defenses crumbled the commander of Roman defenses crumbled the commander of the Saxon Shore military District was the Saxon Shore military District was the Saxon Shore military District was killed when the first wave of Franks and killed when the first wave of Franks and killed when the first wave of Franks and Saxons hit the southeast Coastline the Saxons hit the southeast Coastline the Saxons hit the southeast Coastline the PS who poured down from calonia and the PS who poured down from calonia and the PS who poured down from calonia and the tribesmen who crossed over from hiberia tribesmen who crossed over from hiberia tribesmen who crossed over from hiberia met no real resistance and everywhere

met no real resistance and everywhere met no real resistance and everywhere Roman garrisons were put to Roman garrisons were put to Roman garrisons were put to flight most of the cities of the flight most of the cities of the flight most of the cities of the province were unable to fend off the province were unable to fend off the province were unable to fend off the Invaders and were easily sacked creating Invaders and were easily sacked creating Invaders and were easily sacked creating a wave of refugees runaway slaves and a wave of refugees runaway slaves and a wave of refugees runaway slaves and deserted soldiers all roaming the deserted soldiers all roaming the deserted soldiers all roaming the countryside seeking safety Freedom or countryside seeking safety Freedom or countryside seeking safety Freedom or plunder plunder plunder the leading Imperial officials left on the leading Imperial officials left on the leading Imperial officials left on the island gathered what forces they the island gathered what forces they the island gathered what forces they could in the Southeast corner of the could in the Southeast corner of the could in the Southeast corner of the island where they H up in a few of the island where they H up in a few of the island where they H up in a few of the larger larger larger cities outside of these few Urban cities outside of these few Urban cities outside of these few Urban holdouts though Anarchy reigned across holdouts though Anarchy reigned across holdouts though Anarchy reigned across the island as roving bands of varying the island as roving bands of varying the island as roving bands of varying size and purpose wandered around size and purpose wandered around size and purpose wandered around plundering raping and killing whatever plundering raping and killing whatever plundering raping and killing whatever struck their fancy had there been any sort of larger fancy had there been any sort of larger purpose to The Invasion or any sort of purpose to The Invasion or any sort of purpose to The Invasion or any sort of coordinated political agenda to go along coordinated political agenda to go along coordinated political agenda to go along with the initial coordinated attack this with the initial coordinated attack this with the initial coordinated attack this might have spelled the end for the might have spelled the end for the might have spelled the end for the Romans in Romans in Romans in Britain after all trade lines to the Britain after all trade lines to the Britain after all trade lines to the island had become harder and harder to island had become harder and harder to island had become harder and harder to protect over the years and with the protect over the years and with the protect over the years and with the Empire facing huge problems elsewhere Empire facing huge problems elsewhere Empire facing huge problems elsewhere the province of Britannia like daia the province of Britannia like daia the province of Britannia like daia before it might have become a casualty before it might have become a casualty before it might have become a casualty of of of prioritization but it appears that there prioritization but it appears that there prioritization but it appears that there was no larger purpose to The Invasion was no larger purpose to The Invasion was no larger purpose to The Invasion not only were the various tribes not at not only were the various tribes not at not only were the various tribes not at all United politically none of them all United politically none of them all United politically none of them appeared to even have a political agenda appeared to even have a political agenda appeared to even have a political agenda of their of their of their own this was not a war of Liberation for own this was not a war of Liberation for own this was not a war of Liberation for the pcks or a war of Conquest for the

the pcks or a war of Conquest for the the pcks or a war of Conquest for the Franks this was plundering for Franks this was plundering for Franks this was plundering for plundering plundering plundering sake and so the Romans were eventually sake and so the Romans were eventually sake and so the Romans were eventually able to reassert control over the island able to reassert control over the island able to reassert control over the island and hold on to it for at least a little and hold on to it for at least a little and hold on to it for at least a little while while while longer however in less than 50 years the longer however in less than 50 years the longer however in less than 50 years the Romans will indeed withdraw from Britain Romans will indeed withdraw from Britain Romans will indeed withdraw from Britain for good for good for good leaving the island to King Arthur and leaving the island to King Arthur and leaving the island to King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table events up in the north unfolded so Table events up in the north unfolded so rapidly that valentinian was essentially rapidly that valentinian was essentially rapidly that valentinian was essentially presented with a large scale fate ACC presented with a large scale fate ACC presented with a large scale fate ACC compley not The Barbarians are attacking compley not The Barbarians are attacking compley not The Barbarians are attacking our forts in Britannia not we are losing our forts in Britannia not we are losing our forts in Britannia not we are losing ground not oh we've lost control of some ground not oh we've lost control of some ground not oh we've lost control of some territory but rather Britannia is territory but rather Britannia is territory but rather Britannia is completely overrun we are trapped Behind completely overrun we are trapped Behind completely overrun we are trapped Behind the Walls of like three cities and the Walls of like three cities and the Walls of like three cities and probably aren't going to be able to hold probably aren't going to be able to hold probably aren't going to be able to hold out much out much out much longer you'll recall from last week that longer you'll recall from last week that longer you'll recall from last week that valentinian was in the middle of valentinian was in the middle of valentinian was in the middle of organizing an invasion of his own but organizing an invasion of his own but organizing an invasion of his own but when the first report started filtering when the first report started filtering when the first report started filtering down from the north he was forced to down from the north he was forced to down from the north he was forced to break off what he was doing and turn his break off what he was doing and turn his break off what he was doing and turn his attention to the problem of attention to the problem of attention to the problem of Britannia well at least break off some Britannia well at least break off some Britannia well at least break off some of the forces he was gathering and turn of the forces he was gathering and turn of the forces he was gathering and turn their attention to the problem of their attention to the problem of their attention to the problem of Britannia Britannia Britannia as he had shown in his dealings with the as he had shown in his dealings with the as he had shown in his dealings with the alaman valentinian's MMO early in his alaman valentinian's MMO early in his alaman valentinian's MMO early in his Reign appears to have been to send Reign appears to have been to send Reign appears to have been to send subordinate commanders to actually lead subordinate commanders to actually lead subordinate commanders to actually lead the Roman field armies into dicey

the Roman field armies into dicey the Roman field armies into dicey situations in preparation for future situations in preparation for future situations in preparation for future episodes I've been reading up on episodes I've been reading up on episodes I've been reading up on theodosius lately and I think something theodosius lately and I think something theodosius lately and I think something that someone mentioned about theodosia's that someone mentioned about theodosia's that someone mentioned about theodosia's military political strategy during the military political strategy during the military political strategy during the gothic War applies to valentinian as gothic War applies to valentinian as gothic War applies to valentinian as well namely that since military defeat well namely that since military defeat well namely that since military defeat would have been a crushing blow to the would have been a crushing blow to the would have been a crushing blow to the emperor's legitimacy if he was actually emperor's legitimacy if he was actually emperor's legitimacy if he was actually there in person there emerged a tendency there in person there emerged a tendency there in person there emerged a tendency to let subordinance actually fight the to let subordinance actually fight the to let subordinance actually fight the battles victories could be easily battles victories could be easily battles victories could be easily claimed by the Emperors as was the claimed by the Emperors as was the claimed by the Emperors as was the accepted custom but defeat could be accepted custom but defeat could be accepted custom but defeat could be fobbed off on the losing fobbed off on the losing fobbed off on the losing General in a chaotic and dangerous time General in a chaotic and dangerous time General in a chaotic and dangerous time this strategy was not merely in the best this strategy was not merely in the best this strategy was not merely in the best interest of the emperor personally but interest of the emperor personally but interest of the emperor personally but it was in the best interest of the it was in the best interest of the it was in the best interest of the empire as a empire as a empire as a whole stability at the top of the whole stability at the top of the whole stability at the top of the political Pyramid has real value by not political Pyramid has real value by not political Pyramid has real value by not risking defeat the Emperors ensured that risking defeat the Emperors ensured that risking defeat the Emperors ensured that there would be no crisis of political there would be no crisis of political there would be no crisis of political legitimacy to go along with some crisis legitimacy to go along with some crisis legitimacy to go along with some crisis of military of military of military defeat as we will soon see this strategy defeat as we will soon see this strategy defeat as we will soon see this strategy was not as completely entrenched as it was not as completely entrenched as it was not as completely entrenched as it would become during the Byzantine era would become during the Byzantine era would become during the Byzantine era but it was working its way into the but it was working its way into the but it was working its way into the Imperial Imperial Imperial fabric as when the alaman I crossed the Rind in as when the alaman I crossed the Rind in 365 it took a little while for 365 it took a little while for 365 it took a little while for valentinian to find a commander whose valentinian to find a commander whose valentinian to find a commander whose Victory he could take credit for in Victory he could take credit for in Victory he could take credit for in Britain rather than a commander whose Britain rather than a commander whose Britain rather than a commander whose defeat he needed to distance himself

defeat he needed to distance himself defeat he needed to distance himself from responding immediately to the calls from responding immediately to the calls from responding immediately to the calls for help valentinian dispatched an for help valentinian dispatched an for help valentinian dispatched an officer named seis who had distinguished officer named seis who had distinguished officer named seis who had distinguished himself already as one of the generals himself already as one of the generals himself already as one of the generals who couldn't push back the alaman in the who couldn't push back the alaman in the who couldn't push back the alaman in the winter of 365 winter of 365 winter of 365 366 the hope I suppose is that this 366 the hope I suppose is that this 366 the hope I suppose is that this would be an easier job and not require would be an easier job and not require would be an easier job and not require the same degree of no no it was a hard the same degree of no no it was a hard the same degree of no no it was a hard job and seas once again failed to get job and seas once again failed to get job and seas once again failed to get any kind of coherent relief effort any kind of coherent relief effort any kind of coherent relief effort going so likely in the spring of 367 going so likely in the spring of 367 going so likely in the spring of 367 valentinian ued the ante and dispatched valentinian ued the ante and dispatched valentinian ued the ante and dispatched Joe Venus the general who had eventually Joe Venus the general who had eventually Joe Venus the general who had eventually gotten the better of the Alam Mani the gotten the better of the Alam Mani the gotten the better of the Alam Mani the year before but he too floundered in his year before but he too floundered in his year before but he too floundered in his attempt to get a foothold on the attempt to get a foothold on the attempt to get a foothold on the anarchic anarchic anarchic island we don't have many details but island we don't have many details but island we don't have many details but all of 367 ad appears to have been all of 367 ad appears to have been all of 367 ad appears to have been dogged by repeated failures and dogged by repeated failures and dogged by repeated failures and embarrassments for the embarrassments for the embarrassments for the Romans hoping that the third time would Romans hoping that the third time would Romans hoping that the third time would be the charm in the spring of 368 be the charm in the spring of 368 be the charm in the spring of 368 valentinian sent off a much larger valentinian sent off a much larger valentinian sent off a much larger relief Army under the command of a relief Army under the command of a relief Army under the command of a highly regarded veteran officer named highly regarded veteran officer named highly regarded veteran officer named theodosius no not that theod Theus that theodosius no not that theod Theus that theodosius no not that theod Theus that theodocious is Father not much is known about the Elder Father not much is known about the Elder theodocious but we do know that he and theodocious but we do know that he and theodocious but we do know that he and his family hailed from Spain and that his family hailed from Spain and that his family hailed from Spain and that like most of the Christians in hispania like most of the Christians in hispania like most of the Christians in hispania he was a staun supporter of the Nan

he was a staun supporter of the Nan he was a staun supporter of the Nan Creed he was married around 340 and in Creed he was married around 340 and in Creed he was married around 340 and in either 346 or 347 his wife gave birth to either 346 or 347 his wife gave birth to either 346 or 347 his wife gave birth to the Future Emperor the Future Emperor the Future Emperor theodosius though of course it would be theodosius though of course it would be theodosius though of course it would be over 30 years years before anyone over 30 years years before anyone over 30 years years before anyone realized that the younger theodocious realized that the younger theodocious realized that the younger theodocious had in fact been future Emperor theodus had in fact been future Emperor theodus had in fact been future Emperor theodus the whole the whole the whole time the Elder theodocious probably time the Elder theodocious probably time the Elder theodocious probably joined the army at some point in his joined the army at some point in his joined the army at some point in his late teens or early 20s and displayed late teens or early 20s and displayed late teens or early 20s and displayed enough talent to earn promotion after enough talent to earn promotion after enough talent to earn promotion after promotion by the time the Roman response promotion by the time the Roman response promotion by the time the Roman response to the Barbarian invasion of Britain was to the Barbarian invasion of Britain was to the Barbarian invasion of Britain was proving to be completely ineffective proving to be completely ineffective proving to be completely ineffective theodocious was in his mid-40s and ready theodocious was in his mid-40s and ready theodocious was in his mid-40s and ready to make the leap into the big to make the leap into the big to make the leap into the big time so as I just said in the spring of time so as I just said in the spring of time so as I just said in the spring of 368 valentinian tapped theodocious to 368 valentinian tapped theodocious to 368 valentinian tapped theodocious to lead another larger relief Army North to lead another larger relief Army North to lead another larger relief Army North to secure the troubled province of secure the troubled province of secure the troubled province of Britannia it was the kind of assignment Britannia it was the kind of assignment Britannia it was the kind of assignment that could make or break a career and that could make or break a career and that could make or break a career and theodosius took his job theodosius took his job theodosius took his job seriously he was not heading north just seriously he was not heading north just seriously he was not heading north just to knock a few heads around he was also to knock a few heads around he was also to knock a few heads around he was also interested in making sure this sort of interested in making sure this sort of interested in making sure this sort of thing didn't happen again thing didn't happen again thing didn't happen again the relief Army sailed from balone and the relief Army sailed from balone and the relief Army sailed from balone and landed without incident on the Southeast landed without incident on the Southeast landed without incident on the Southeast tip of Britain and then marched up the tip of Britain and then marched up the tip of Britain and then marched up the TS to TS to TS to londinium establishing a secure base in londinium establishing a secure base in londinium establishing a secure base in that City theodosius then set about that City theodosius then set about that City theodosius then set about methodically raking the

methodically raking the methodically raking the island working in his favor was the fact island working in his favor was the fact island working in his favor was the fact that after a year of successful that after a year of successful that after a year of successful plundering the various raiding parties plundering the various raiding parties plundering the various raiding parties had become LAX with their guard and were had become LAX with their guard and were had become LAX with their guard and were weighed down by all their captured weighed down by all their captured weighed down by all their captured treasur treasur treasur so when theodus split his army up into so when theodus split his army up into so when theodus split his army up into small groups and ordered them to scour small groups and ordered them to scour small groups and ordered them to scour the countryside looking for enemy the countryside looking for enemy the countryside looking for enemy Raiders these Raiders were now easily Raiders these Raiders were now easily Raiders these Raiders were now easily captured once the immediate area around captured once the immediate area around captured once the immediate area around londinium was cleared theodus used londinium was cleared theodus used londinium was cleared theodus used intelligence gleaned from his prisoners intelligence gleaned from his prisoners intelligence gleaned from his prisoners to extend these operations to the whole to extend these operations to the whole to extend these operations to the whole island relying on small mobile island relying on small mobile island relying on small mobile detachments rather than a large field detachments rather than a large field detachments rather than a large field Army the Romans were able to travel Army the Romans were able to travel Army the Romans were able to travel light light light travel fast and surprise enemy bands travel fast and surprise enemy bands travel fast and surprise enemy bands anytime their whereabouts became known pretty soon the tide had turned in known pretty soon the tide had turned in Rome's favor allowing theodosius to pull Rome's favor allowing theodosius to pull Rome's favor allowing theodosius to pull a completely different rabbit out of his a completely different rabbit out of his a completely different rabbit out of his hat while lawlessness rained Roman hat while lawlessness rained Roman hat while lawlessness rained Roman soldiers who had deserted their post had soldiers who had deserted their post had soldiers who had deserted their post had no incentive to abandon their own no incentive to abandon their own no incentive to abandon their own plundering and return to the plundering and return to the plundering and return to the Army all that would be waiting for them Army all that would be waiting for them Army all that would be waiting for them was was was execution desertion after all was a execution desertion after all was a execution desertion after all was a capital capital capital crime but now that theodosius was making crime but now that theodosius was making crime but now that theodosius was making Headway these soldiers began to worry Headway these soldiers began to worry Headway these soldiers began to worry about what might happen to them if they about what might happen to them if they about what might happen to them if they were were were captured so when things started going captured so when things started going captured so when things started going well theodosius alleviated these fears

well theodosius alleviated these fears well theodosius alleviated these fears and announced a general amnesty for awal and announced a general amnesty for awal and announced a general amnesty for awal soldiers with the party pretty clearly soldiers with the party pretty clearly soldiers with the party pretty clearly winding down anyway the awall soldiers winding down anyway the awall soldiers winding down anyway the awall soldiers flocked back to their bases which had flocked back to their bases which had flocked back to their bases which had the Dual effect of reducing the number the Dual effect of reducing the number the Dual effect of reducing the number of pillagers in the field and increasing of pillagers in the field and increasing of pillagers in the field and increasing the number of troops in the Roman the number of troops in the Roman the number of troops in the Roman army with that stroke of lenient genius army with that stroke of lenient genius army with that stroke of lenient genius the ball game was pretty much the ball game was pretty much the ball game was pretty much over over the course of 368 and into 369 over over the course of 368 and into 369 over over the course of 368 and into 369 theodosius was able to Reg Garrison all theodosius was able to Reg Garrison all theodosius was able to Reg Garrison all the cities of Britain and drive off the cities of Britain and drive off the cities of Britain and drive off whatever barbarians remained on the whatever barbarians remained on the whatever barbarians remained on the island most of the wealth that had been island most of the wealth that had been island most of the wealth that had been seized was was recovered and though seized was was recovered and though seized was was recovered and though theodosius was careful to make sure the theodosius was careful to make sure the theodosius was careful to make sure the majority of it went back to the original majority of it went back to the original majority of it went back to the original owners he was also careful to make sure owners he was also careful to make sure owners he was also careful to make sure that some of it was directed to his that some of it was directed to his that some of it was directed to his soldiers who had done the dangerous work soldiers who had done the dangerous work soldiers who had done the dangerous work of actually getting it of actually getting it of actually getting it back by the end of 369 Britannia was at back by the end of 369 Britannia was at back by the end of 369 Britannia was at peace theodus was a Bonafide hero and peace theodus was a Bonafide hero and peace theodus was a Bonafide hero and valentinian had a victory that he could valentinian had a victory that he could valentinian had a victory that he could finally take credit for Happy Days for finally take credit for Happy Days for finally take credit for Happy Days for everyone though the war in Britain had stalled though the war in Britain had stalled valentinian's plans for a punitive valentinian's plans for a punitive valentinian's plans for a punitive Expedition into alaman territory in Expedition into alaman territory in Expedition into alaman territory in 367 that by no means meant that the 367 that by no means meant that the 367 that by no means meant that the expedition was going to be put off for expedition was going to be put off for expedition was going to be put off for good but that said the emperor did come good but that said the emperor did come good but that said the emperor did come perilously close to never being able to

perilously close to never being able to perilously close to never being able to actually lead this campaign because in actually lead this campaign because in actually lead this campaign because in the summer of 367 he got sick really the summer of 367 he got sick really the summer of 367 he got sick really really sick really sick really sick so sick that there was genuine fear that so sick that there was genuine fear that so sick that there was genuine fear that he was going to he was going to he was going to die with these fears haunting the die with these fears haunting the die with these fears haunting the Imperial Court factions began to form Imperial Court factions began to form Imperial Court factions began to form around the top military and civilian around the top military and civilian around the top military and civilian officials who naturally began to jockey officials who naturally began to jockey officials who naturally began to jockey for for for position should valentinian die everyone position should valentinian die everyone position should valentinian die everyone wanted to make sure that their man was wanted to make sure that their man was wanted to make sure that their man was the man picked to succeed the man picked to succeed the man picked to succeed him when the emperor recovered though he him when the emperor recovered though he him when the emperor recovered though he found out about all of this morbid found out about all of this morbid found out about all of this morbid maneuvering and decided to put a stop to maneuvering and decided to put a stop to maneuvering and decided to put a stop to all questions of succession once and for all questions of succession once and for all questions of succession once and for all in August of 367 ad he elevated his all in August of 367 ad he elevated his all in August of 367 ad he elevated his 8-year-old son not to the rank of Caesar 8-year-old son not to the rank of Caesar 8-year-old son not to the rank of Caesar but to the full rank of Augustus and but to the full rank of Augustus and but to the full rank of Augustus and began to make a concerted effort to give began to make a concerted effort to give began to make a concerted effort to give the boy the skills he would need to the boy the skills he would need to the boy the skills he would need to survive in the dangerous world of survive in the dangerous world of survive in the dangerous world of Imperial politics meanwhile the Alami were politics meanwhile the Alami were getting restless since they had been getting restless since they had been getting restless since they had been driven back home they had been waiting driven back home they had been waiting driven back home they had been waiting nervously for the counter Invasion nervously for the counter Invasion nervously for the counter Invasion everyone knew was coming but then the everyone knew was coming but then the everyone knew was coming but then the counter Invasion just sort of didn't counter Invasion just sort of didn't counter Invasion just sort of didn't happen between the war in Britain and happen between the war in Britain and happen between the war in Britain and the emperor's illness the Romans had the emperor's illness the Romans had the emperor's illness the Romans had stayed put on their side of the Ry and stayed put on their side of the Ry and stayed put on their side of the Ry and so the alamanni poked their heads up and so the alamanni poked their heads up and so the alamanni poked their heads up and decided to see what the deal decided to see what the deal decided to see what the deal was by the end of 367 the Germans

was by the end of 367 the Germans was by the end of 367 the Germans decided that the coast might actually be decided that the coast might actually be decided that the coast might actually be clear and so they up and sacked the clear and so they up and sacked the clear and so they up and sacked the Fortified city of Fortified city of Fortified city of mes valentinian's blood had to be mes valentinian's blood had to be mes valentinian's blood had to be boiling at this point but there was boiling at this point but there was boiling at this point but there was little he could do about it just little he could do about it just little he could do about it just yet he did however manage to exact a yet he did however manage to exact a yet he did however manage to exact a small measure of Vengeance by arranging small measure of Vengeance by arranging small measure of Vengeance by arranging for the assassination of one of the for the assassination of one of the for the assassination of one of the leading anti-roman alaman kings that was leading anti-roman alaman kings that was leading anti-roman alaman kings that was at least at least at least something in the spring of 368 something in the spring of 368 something in the spring of 368 valentinian was finally ready to do a valentinian was finally ready to do a valentinian was finally ready to do a whole lot more whole lot more whole lot more probably right around the time probably right around the time probably right around the time theodosius was setting off for Britain theodosius was setting off for Britain theodosius was setting off for Britain the emperor personally led the Ry the emperor personally led the Ry the emperor personally led the Ry Legions across the river to pay the Legions across the river to pay the Legions across the river to pay the alamani back for all the trouble that alamani back for all the trouble that alamani back for all the trouble that had caused had caused had caused him this time he would not be delegating him this time he would not be delegating him this time he would not be delegating the job to the job to the job to subordinates like I said the policy of subordinates like I said the policy of subordinates like I said the policy of utilizing subordinate generals to do the utilizing subordinate generals to do the utilizing subordinate generals to do the actual fighting was not completely actual fighting was not completely actual fighting was not completely entrenched yet and besides this was entrenched yet and besides this was entrenched yet and besides this was supposed to be a Stomp and mash campaign supposed to be a Stomp and mash campaign supposed to be a Stomp and mash campaign against a weakened opponent not a by the against a weakened opponent not a by the against a weakened opponent not a by the skin of the teeth attempt to turn back skin of the teeth attempt to turn back skin of the teeth attempt to turn back an enemy who had an enemy who had an enemy who had momentum but though it started out as momentum but though it started out as momentum but though it started out as the bloody walk in the park it was the bloody walk in the park it was the bloody walk in the park it was supposed to be it quickly turned into supposed to be it quickly turned into supposed to be it quickly turned into one of those by the Skin of Their Teeth one of those by the Skin of Their Teeth one of those by the Skin of Their Teeth campaigns that very nearly cost campaigns that very nearly cost campaigns that very nearly cost valentinia not just his throne but his life with his Sun graci along for the

life with his Sun graci along for the ride things started out well for the ride things started out well for the ride things started out well for the Romans the alamani were quick to run and Romans the alamani were quick to run and Romans the alamani were quick to run and hide whenever the legions came near and hide whenever the legions came near and hide whenever the legions came near and valentinian seized or burned whatever valentinian seized or burned whatever valentinian seized or burned whatever the Germans left behind so far so good the Germans left behind so far so good the Germans left behind so far so good this will teach him to mess with us etc this will teach him to mess with us etc this will teach him to mess with us etc etc but then suddenly a little bit south etc but then suddenly a little bit south etc but then suddenly a little bit south of the modern city of heidleberg the of the modern city of heidleberg the of the modern city of heidleberg the Alam Mani grouped for a massive Alam Mani grouped for a massive Alam Mani grouped for a massive Counterattack we know almost nothing Counterattack we know almost nothing Counterattack we know almost nothing about the ensuing battle except that it about the ensuing battle except that it about the ensuing battle except that it was a huge Affair closely contested was a huge Affair closely contested was a huge Affair closely contested until the very end and that in the midst until the very end and that in the midst until the very end and that in the midst of the chaos valentinian was very nearly of the chaos valentinian was very nearly of the chaos valentinian was very nearly killed in the killed in the killed in the fighting the Romans emerged from the fighting the Romans emerged from the fighting the Romans emerged from the battle Victorious but the emperor battle Victorious but the emperor battle Victorious but the emperor determined that they were too weak to determined that they were too weak to determined that they were too weak to continue the continue the continue the campaign with both sides exhausted a campaign with both sides exhausted a campaign with both sides exhausted a temporary truce was agreed to and temporary truce was agreed to and temporary truce was agreed to and valentinian withdrew to Trier to valentinian withdrew to Trier to valentinian withdrew to Trier to recuperate and plan his next recuperate and plan his next recuperate and plan his next move far from pursuing a policy of move far from pursuing a policy of move far from pursuing a policy of peaceful coexistence though Valentine peaceful coexistence though Valentine peaceful coexistence though Valentine I's next move would all but guarantee I's next move would all but guarantee I's next move would all but guarantee that as soon as everyone's wounds were that as soon as everyone's wounds were that as soon as everyone's wounds were healed up that the fighting would begin healed up that the fighting would begin healed up that the fighting would begin all over again before we go this week I'd like to again before we go this week I'd like to take a second to revise and extend my take a second to revise and extend my take a second to revise and extend my remarks about valentinian's early remarks about valentinian's early remarks about valentinian's early career the whole period is a mess of career the whole period is a mess of career the whole period is a mess of confused chronology and conflicting confused chronology and conflicting confused chronology and conflicting details and I inadvertently missed a

details and I inadvertently missed a details and I inadvertently missed a whole alternate version of Valentine whole alternate version of Valentine whole alternate version of Valentine pre-imperial pre-imperial pre-imperial service this version is based primarily service this version is based primarily service this version is based primarily on amanus marcelus account which states on amanus marcelus account which states on amanus marcelus account which states that valentinian was not promoted into that valentinian was not promoted into that valentinian was not promoted into constant's Army around 360 ad but rather constant's Army around 360 ad but rather constant's Army around 360 ad but rather that he was discharged from the service that he was discharged from the service that he was discharged from the service in 357 after being falsely accused of in 357 after being falsely accused of in 357 after being falsely accused of cowardice cowardice really yes really cowardice cowardice really yes really cowardice cowardice really yes really remember that band of Germans that Barbo remember that band of Germans that Barbo remember that band of Germans that Barbo had failed to stop while Julian was had failed to stop while Julian was had failed to stop while Julian was campaigning in GF campaigning in GF campaigning in GF well he pinned all of that on two of his well he pinned all of that on two of his well he pinned all of that on two of his tribunes one of whom turned out to be tribunes one of whom turned out to be tribunes one of whom turned out to be valentinian this version of History thus valentinian this version of History thus valentinian this version of History thus implies that the future Emperor did not implies that the future Emperor did not implies that the future Emperor did not in fact fight at the Battle of in fact fight at the Battle of in fact fight at the Battle of straussburg like I said he likely straussburg like I said he likely straussburg like I said he likely did Beyond This Walter Roberts of Emory did Beyond This Walter Roberts of Emory did Beyond This Walter Roberts of Emory University argues that valentinian was University argues that valentinian was University argues that valentinian was not recalled to the Army by his old not recalled to the Army by his old not recalled to the Army by his old General Julian at all and that the General Julian at all and that the General Julian at all and that the future Emperor was only reinstated to future Emperor was only reinstated to future Emperor was only reinstated to service after Jovian was in service after Jovian was in service after Jovian was in power according to this version power according to this version power according to this version valentinian was then assigned to the valentinian was then assigned to the valentinian was then assigned to the somewhat Dangerous Mission of telling somewhat Dangerous Mission of telling somewhat Dangerous Mission of telling the troops of the Western Empire that the troops of the Western Empire that the troops of the Western Empire that their beloved Julian was their beloved Julian was their beloved Julian was dead it was in gratitude for this dead it was in gratitude for this dead it was in gratitude for this service that Jovian promoted valentinian service that Jovian promoted valentinian service that Jovian promoted valentinian to his fateful Post in ankyra from there I think we got back on ankyra from there I think we got back on firmer firmer firmer footing these are Minor Details in the

footing these are Minor Details in the footing these are Minor Details in the big picture big picture big picture but if it's true then this version does but if it's true then this version does but if it's true then this version does undercut some of what I said about undercut some of what I said about undercut some of what I said about Julian not caring that his officers were Julian not caring that his officers were Julian not caring that his officers were Christian so long as they were good at Christian so long as they were good at Christian so long as they were good at their jobs I think the point still their jobs I think the point still their jobs I think the point still stands but valentinian may not have been stands but valentinian may not have been stands but valentinian may not have been the best example to use okay next week we'll dive more into use okay next week we'll dive more into the now perpetually chaotic Western half the now perpetually chaotic Western half the now perpetually chaotic Western half of the of the of the Empire war with the Germans would Empire war with the Germans would Empire war with the Germans would continue as a result of valentinian's continue as a result of valentinian's continue as a result of valentinian's provocations and one alaman King in provocations and one alaman King in provocations and one alaman King in particular will wind up driving the particular will wind up driving the particular will wind up driving the emperor absolutely emperor absolutely emperor absolutely crazy meanwhile Africa will go to hell crazy meanwhile Africa will go to hell crazy meanwhile Africa will go to hell in a hand basket after years of misrule in a hand basket after years of misrule in a hand basket after years of misrule and poor theodosius the Elder after and poor theodosius the Elder after and poor theodosius the Elder after proving himself to be one of the most proving himself to be one of the most proving himself to be one of the most capable officers in the Army will be capable officers in the Army will be capable officers in the Army will be executed following the sneaky dealings executed following the sneaky dealings executed following the sneaky dealings of sneaky of sneaky of sneaky courtiers like everything else during courtiers like everything else during courtiers like everything else during these years events are badly dated and these years events are badly dated and these years events are badly dated and who was doing what when win is a who was doing what when win is a who was doing what when win is a difficult thing to nail down I'm going difficult thing to nail down I'm going difficult thing to nail down I'm going to do my best to Wade through the mess to do my best to Wade through the mess to do my best to Wade through the mess but I reserve the right to revise and but I reserve the right to revise and but I reserve the right to revise and extend my remarks as circumstances extend my remarks as circumstances extend my remarks as circumstances [Music] [Music] [Music] dictate

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 150 The Perils of mismanagement in the winter of 368 ad mismanagement in the winter of 368 ad valentinian was in the northern capital valentinian was in the northern capital valentinian was in the northern capital of Trier making plans to overhaul the of Trier making plans to overhaul the of Trier making plans to overhaul the fortifications of the Rind fortifications of the Rind fortifications of the Rind Frontier the whole region had been a Frontier the whole region had been a Frontier the whole region had been a disrupted mess since the Revolt of disrupted mess since the Revolt of disrupted mess since the Revolt of magnentius back in 350 and though Julian magnentius back in 350 and though Julian magnentius back in 350 and though Julian had done much to restore order since the had done much to restore order since the had done much to restore order since the apostate Emperor had gone East to meet apostate Emperor had gone East to meet apostate Emperor had gone East to meet his Destiny the West had spped back into his Destiny the West had spped back into his Destiny the West had spped back into chaos this was partly due to the chaos this was partly due to the chaos this was partly due to the increasing entropy of the time but it increasing entropy of the time but it increasing entropy of the time but it was also due to valentinian's own was also due to valentinian's own was also due to valentinian's own mishandling of the situation mishandling of the situation mishandling of the situation now that things in Britannia were back now that things in Britannia were back now that things in Britannia were back in hand and the alaman had been defeated in hand and the alaman had been defeated in hand and the alaman had been defeated in battle the emperor was of a mind that in battle the emperor was of a mind that in battle the emperor was of a mind that it was time to reement Roman power the it was time to reement Roman power the it was time to reement Roman power the only problem was that valentinian's plan only problem was that valentinian's plan only problem was that valentinian's plan was so aggressive that it had the exact was so aggressive that it had the exact was so aggressive that it had the exact opposite effect when the spring of 369 arrived a effect when the spring of 369 arrived a valentinian ordered his troops to begin valentinian ordered his troops to begin valentinian ordered his troops to begin repairing and rebuilding various forts repairing and rebuilding various forts repairing and rebuilding various forts along the Roman side of the r which so along the Roman side of the r which so along the Roman side of the r which so far so good far so good far so good but then the emperor took the but then the emperor took the but then the emperor took the provocative step of ordering his men to provocative step of ordering his men to provocative step of ordering his men to build a fort on the far side of the build a fort on the far side of the build a fort on the far side of the river near the spot where the Romans and river near the spot where the Romans and river near the spot where the Romans and alaman had fought the year before just alaman had fought the year before just alaman had fought the year before just south of the modern city of heidleberg south of the modern city of heidleberg south of the modern city of heidleberg envoys from the alaman immediately envoys from the alaman immediately envoys from the alaman immediately protested the existence of a permanent

protested the existence of a permanent protested the existence of a permanent Roman base in their territory and they Roman base in their territory and they Roman base in their territory and they asked for an audience with asked for an audience with asked for an audience with valentinian but as was the emperor's valentinian but as was the emperor's valentinian but as was the emperor's apparent custom this request was apparent custom this request was apparent custom this request was denied once again the Alam Mani left the denied once again the Alam Mani left the denied once again the Alam Mani left the Imperial Court Furious and hot for Imperial Court Furious and hot for Imperial Court Furious and hot for blood where there had just been a blood where there had just been a blood where there had just been a tentative peace there was now once again tentative peace there was now once again tentative peace there was now once again a pretext for a pretext for a pretext for war the new leader of the alaman a Wy war the new leader of the alaman a Wy war the new leader of the alaman a Wy King named maconis quickly organized a King named maconis quickly organized a King named maconis quickly organized a strike force that began attacking the strike force that began attacking the strike force that began attacking the soldiers working on the offending base soldiers working on the offending base soldiers working on the offending base until the Romans were driven off and the until the Romans were driven off and the until the Romans were driven off and the half-built fort was destroyed this of course ticked valent destroyed this of course ticked valent in off something fierce but after his in off something fierce but after his in off something fierce but after his near-death experience at the end of 368 near-death experience at the end of 368 near-death experience at the end of 368 he was wary of just up and invading he was wary of just up and invading he was wary of just up and invading alaman territory again at least not alaman territory again at least not alaman territory again at least not without stacking the deck a without stacking the deck a without stacking the deck a little so in 370 he presented a plan to little so in 370 he presented a plan to little so in 370 he presented a plan to the burgundians another German the burgundians another German the burgundians another German Confederation who lived a little bit Confederation who lived a little bit Confederation who lived a little bit deeper into the interior of deeper into the interior of deeper into the interior of Germania they were already enemies of Germania they were already enemies of Germania they were already enemies of the alaman and so valentinian suggested the alaman and so valentinian suggested the alaman and so valentinian suggested that they just do what he knew they that they just do what he knew they that they just do what he knew they wanted to do wanted to do wanted to do which was go on the offensive against which was go on the offensive against which was go on the offensive against their their their neighbors valentinian promised to neighbors valentinian promised to neighbors valentinian promised to support the effort and implied that once support the effort and implied that once support the effort and implied that once battle was joined that the Romans would battle was joined that the Romans would battle was joined that the Romans would cross over and attack the alamani from cross over and attack the alamani from cross over and attack the alamani from the the the rear but though the supplies were rear but though the supplies were rear but though the supplies were promised the whole bid about joining in promised the whole bid about joining in promised the whole bid about joining in the fight was merely implied when The

the fight was merely implied when The the fight was merely implied when The Burgundian envoys pressed for a Burgundian envoys pressed for a Burgundian envoys pressed for a guarantee the Romans were reluctant to guarantee the Romans were reluctant to guarantee the Romans were reluctant to provide it so the burgundians asked for provide it so the burgundians asked for provide it so the burgundians asked for an audience with valentinian but as was an audience with valentinian but as was an audience with valentinian but as was now standard operating procedure they now standard operating procedure they now standard operating procedure they were were were refused annoyed by this rebuke and refused annoyed by this rebuke and refused annoyed by this rebuke and without much to go on but the without much to go on but the without much to go on but the manipulative prodding of the Romans the manipulative prodding of the Romans the manipulative prodding of the Romans the burgundians returned home declining to burgundians returned home declining to burgundians returned home declining to raise a hand against the alaman but the talks did turn out to alaman but the talks did turn out to stack the deck just a little in Rome's stack the deck just a little in Rome's stack the deck just a little in Rome's favor when the alamanni caught wind of a favor when the alamanni caught wind of a favor when the alamanni caught wind of a possible Roman Burgundian Alliance they possible Roman Burgundian Alliance they possible Roman Burgundian Alliance they decided the most prudent response would decided the most prudent response would decided the most prudent response would be to scatter when valentinian heard be to scatter when valentinian heard be to scatter when valentinian heard that the alaman forces were that the alaman forces were that the alaman forces were decentralized he immediately prepared decentralized he immediately prepared decentralized he immediately prepared for another Invasion this one to be led for another Invasion this one to be led for another Invasion this one to be led by the emperor's newly minted Master of by the emperor's newly minted Master of by the emperor's newly minted Master of the horse and all around Mr Fixit the horse and all around Mr Fixit the horse and all around Mr Fixit theodus the theodus the theodus the Elder theodosis had come back from Elder theodosis had come back from Elder theodosis had come back from Britannia at the end of 369 and was now Britannia at the end of 369 and was now Britannia at the end of 369 and was now clearly the one man valentinian had clearly the one man valentinian had clearly the one man valentinian had confidence in a confidence that he would confidence in a confidence that he would confidence in a confidence that he would prove himself worthy of over and over prove himself worthy of over and over prove himself worthy of over and over again again again at some point in 371 or 372 theodosius at some point in 371 or 372 theodosius at some point in 371 or 372 theodosius gathered up an Army in the province of gathered up an Army in the province of gathered up an Army in the province of ratia and then crossed over into alaman ratia and then crossed over into alaman ratia and then crossed over into alaman territory with no one part of the territory with no one part of the territory with no one part of the scattered German Confederation large scattered German Confederation large scattered German Confederation large enough to fend off the Roman Advance enough to fend off the Roman Advance enough to fend off the Roman Advance theodus was able to sweep through the theodus was able to sweep through the theodus was able to sweep through the territory rounding up hordes of territory rounding up hordes of territory rounding up hordes of prisoners in the

prisoners in the prisoners in the process these prisoners were then process these prisoners were then process these prisoners were then deposited in the po valley of Northern deposited in the po valley of Northern deposited in the po valley of Northern Italy where in return for their lives Italy where in return for their lives Italy where in return for their lives they were to become settled farmers they were to become settled farmers they were to become settled farmers and willing recruits for the Roman and willing recruits for the Roman and willing recruits for the Roman army in the midst of this campaign army in the midst of this campaign army in the midst of this campaign theodosius nearly captured maanas but theodosius nearly captured maanas but theodosius nearly captured maanas but the alaman king managed to slip the alaman king managed to slip the alaman king managed to slip away but that did not stop theodocious away but that did not stop theodocious away but that did not stop theodocious from imposing a new order on the Germans from imposing a new order on the Germans from imposing a new order on the Germans a pro- Roman Chieftain was raised up and a pro- Roman Chieftain was raised up and a pro- Roman Chieftain was raised up and the other alaman nobles were forced to the other alaman nobles were forced to the other alaman nobles were forced to submit to his submit to his submit to his Supremacy it was a top- down imposition Supremacy it was a top- down imposition Supremacy it was a top- down imposition of authority that would wind up holding of authority that would wind up holding of authority that would wind up holding no real Force once the Romans withdrew no real Force once the Romans withdrew no real Force once the Romans withdrew but it was some nice wrapping paper but it was some nice wrapping paper but it was some nice wrapping paper around a very successful campaign season around a very successful campaign season around a very successful campaign season for theodocious though this would not be the theodocious though this would not be the end of the wars against the alaman this end of the wars against the alaman this end of the wars against the alaman this was enough of a settlement for was enough of a settlement for was enough of a settlement for valentinian that the emperor thought it valentinian that the emperor thought it valentinian that the emperor thought it safe to transfer his Mr Fixit down to safe to transfer his Mr Fixit down to safe to transfer his Mr Fixit down to North Africa which had suddenly become North Africa which had suddenly become North Africa which had suddenly become the new crisis center of the Western the new crisis center of the Western the new crisis center of the Western Empire apparently some kind of Revolt Empire apparently some kind of Revolt Empire apparently some kind of Revolt had broken out and there were had broken out and there were had broken out and there were conflicting reports coming in about what conflicting reports coming in about what conflicting reports coming in about what was really going on who was fighting for was really going on who was fighting for was really going on who was fighting for what and who was to what and who was to what and who was to blame at the center of the Maelstrom was blame at the center of the Maelstrom was blame at the center of the Maelstrom was Romanus the Dukes of the North African Romanus the Dukes of the North African Romanus the Dukes of the North African Legions who is unquestionably the Legions who is unquestionably the Legions who is unquestionably the villain of this villain of this villain of this story Romanus was exactly the sort of story Romanus was exactly the sort of story Romanus was exactly the sort of greedy nihilist that you just really

greedy nihilist that you just really greedy nihilist that you just really want in a high ranking position of want in a high ranking position of want in a high ranking position of authority in a territory that you are authority in a territory that you are authority in a territory that you are just barely holding on to he was a just barely holding on to he was a just barely holding on to he was a disaster without him around I doubt any disaster without him around I doubt any disaster without him around I doubt any of what's about to happen would have happened above and beyond the petty happened above and beyond the petty corruption that usually accumulates corruption that usually accumulates corruption that usually accumulates around ethically challenged leaders around ethically challenged leaders around ethically challenged leaders Romanus had developed a truly Sinister Romanus had developed a truly Sinister Romanus had developed a truly Sinister means of enriching means of enriching means of enriching himself once the various municipalities himself once the various municipalities himself once the various municipalities of North Africa had paid all their taxes of North Africa had paid all their taxes of North Africa had paid all their taxes and send along all the required and send along all the required and send along all the required conscripts to fill the ranks of the army conscripts to fill the ranks of the army conscripts to fill the ranks of the army Romanus would go around ask for more Romanus would go around ask for more Romanus would go around ask for more more money and more more money and more more money and more men if the municipalities bulked then men if the municipalities bulked then men if the municipalities bulked then Romanus would hint Darkly that you know Romanus would hint Darkly that you know Romanus would hint Darkly that you know should moish Raiders attack your city my should moish Raiders attack your city my should moish Raiders attack your city my men might be too occupied to come help men might be too occupied to come help men might be too occupied to come help you but if you pay up then I'll make you but if you pay up then I'll make you but if you pay up then I'll make sure we come sure we come sure we come running most of the Cities gave in to running most of the Cities gave in to running most of the Cities gave in to this blackmail but there were a few who this blackmail but there were a few who this blackmail but there were a few who refused and this is where things get refused and this is where things get refused and this is where things get ugly you see Romanus wasn't ugly you see Romanus wasn't ugly you see Romanus wasn't bluffing he used his contacts with bluffing he used his contacts with bluffing he used his contacts with various more tribes to hint to them that various more tribes to hint to them that various more tribes to hint to them that if they were planning on attacking such if they were planning on attacking such if they were planning on attacking such and such a city that it was highly and such a city that it was highly and such a city that it was highly likely the legions would be occupied likely the legions would be occupied likely the legions would be occupied elsewhere and not make it in time to elsewhere and not make it in time to elsewhere and not make it in time to stop stop stop them the Moors given the green light them the Moors given the green light them the Moors given the green light would then come down out of the hills would then come down out of the hills would then come down out of the hills and Sack the city Romanus would not lift and Sack the city Romanus would not lift and Sack the city Romanus would not lift a finger to

a finger to a finger to help the Dukes of North Africa then was help the Dukes of North Africa then was help the Dukes of North Africa then was not just corrupt or negligent he was not just corrupt or negligent he was not just corrupt or negligent he was ordering attack on the very people he ordering attack on the very people he ordering attack on the very people he was supposed to be protecting the citizens of Africa protecting the citizens of Africa naturally began to complain to the naturally began to complain to the naturally began to complain to the emperor but refusing to be anything but emperor but refusing to be anything but emperor but refusing to be anything but just a terrible terrible guy Romanus just a terrible terrible guy Romanus just a terrible terrible guy Romanus used his Connections in the Imperial used his Connections in the Imperial used his Connections in the Imperial Court to pin all of his crimes on Court to pin all of his crimes on Court to pin all of his crimes on innocent innocent innocent subordinates misled about the situation subordinates misled about the situation subordinates misled about the situation valentinian ordered the execution of a valentinian ordered the execution of a valentinian ordered the execution of a handful of officials who besides having handful of officials who besides having handful of officials who besides having nothing at all to do with Romano's nothing at all to do with Romano's nothing at all to do with Romano's crimes crimes crimes had probably tried to stop him which is had probably tried to stop him which is had probably tried to stop him which is why Romanus had singled them out for framing in 372 this all finally became framing in 372 this all finally became too much for a Romano morish Noble named too much for a Romano morish Noble named too much for a Romano morish Noble named feris ferus was the son of a half more feris ferus was the son of a half more feris ferus was the son of a half more half Roman leader whose family played a half Roman leader whose family played a half Roman leader whose family played a dual role in Roman dual role in Roman dual role in Roman Africa on the one hand they served as Africa on the one hand they served as Africa on the one hand they served as high ranking officials in the Imperial high ranking officials in the Imperial high ranking officials in the Imperial bureaucracy and on the other hand they bureaucracy and on the other hand they bureaucracy and on the other hand they served as the leaders of a local morish served as the leaders of a local morish served as the leaders of a local morish tribe Romanus was offensive to both tribe Romanus was offensive to both tribe Romanus was offensive to both halves of ferm's identity and with the halves of ferm's identity and with the halves of ferm's identity and with the emperor successfully Hoodwinked into emperor successfully Hoodwinked into emperor successfully Hoodwinked into supporting the evil Dukes a feris supporting the evil Dukes a feris supporting the evil Dukes a feris decided to take matters into his own decided to take matters into his own decided to take matters into his own hand backed by the legionary forces hand backed by the legionary forces hand backed by the legionary forces under his command feris raised the under his command feris raised the under his command feris raised the standard of revolt and called for the standard of revolt and called for the standard of revolt and called for the people to join his

cause the uprising came as something of cause the uprising came as something of surprise up in tree where valentinian surprise up in tree where valentinian surprise up in tree where valentinian was now more or less permanently based was now more or less permanently based was now more or less permanently based because after all hadn't he taken care because after all hadn't he taken care because after all hadn't he taken care of this problem hadn't he just executed of this problem hadn't he just executed of this problem hadn't he just executed a bunch of guys why was there now a bunch of guys why was there now a bunch of guys why was there now suddenly a suddenly a suddenly a Revolt to answer these questions Revolt to answer these questions Revolt to answer these questions valentinian dispatched theodocious to valentinian dispatched theodocious to valentinian dispatched theodocious to investigate there is speculation that investigate there is speculation that investigate there is speculation that the emperor was already at this point the emperor was already at this point the emperor was already at this point pretty sure that he had been lied to and pretty sure that he had been lied to and pretty sure that he had been lied to and that theodosius was being sent down to that theodosius was being sent down to that theodosius was being sent down to Africa as much to deal with the problem Africa as much to deal with the problem Africa as much to deal with the problem of ranus as he was to deal with the of ranus as he was to deal with the of ranus as he was to deal with the Revolt of Revolt of Revolt of fmus we don't know when exactly fmus we don't know when exactly fmus we don't know when exactly theodosius arrived in Africa other than theodosius arrived in Africa other than theodosius arrived in Africa other than that it was sometime between 372 and that it was sometime between 372 and that it was sometime between 372 and 375 which isn't very satisfying but we 375 which isn't very satisfying but we 375 which isn't very satisfying but we do know that when he got there he was do know that when he got there he was do know that when he got there he was able to quickly establish that Romanus able to quickly establish that Romanus able to quickly establish that Romanus was guilty of sin and the Dukes was arrested with Romanus taken care of arrested with Romanus taken care of airmis lost his causus belli and so airmis lost his causus belli and so airmis lost his causus belli and so immediately attempted a reconciliation immediately attempted a reconciliation immediately attempted a reconciliation with theodosius and the rest of the with theodosius and the rest of the with theodosius and the rest of the Roman Roman Roman authorities but theodocious was not authorities but theodocious was not authorities but theodocious was not going to let him off that going to let him off that going to let him off that easy Justified or not feris had led easy Justified or not feris had led easy Justified or not feris had led Roman citizens into revolt against the Roman citizens into revolt against the Roman citizens into revolt against the lawful government that was a crime that lawful government that was a crime that lawful government that was a crime that could not go unpunished so theodus could not go unpunished so theodus could not go unpunished so theodus rejected ferm's request for a rejected ferm's request for a rejected ferm's request for a pieace I can see where theodus is coming pieace I can see where theodus is coming pieace I can see where theodus is coming from we can't negotiate with usurpers from we can't negotiate with usurpers from we can't negotiate with usurpers and all that but by refusing to bring

and all that but by refusing to bring and all that but by refusing to bring feris down from the hills Theodosia set feris down from the hills Theodosia set feris down from the hills Theodosia set up the African provinces for years of up the African provinces for years of up the African provinces for years of bloody and ultimately pointless bloody and ultimately pointless bloody and ultimately pointless struggle the master of the horse struggle the master of the horse struggle the master of the horse launched a military campaign to bring launched a military campaign to bring launched a military campaign to bring ferus to heal by force which divided the ferus to heal by force which divided the ferus to heal by force which divided the citizens of the provinces from each citizens of the provinces from each citizens of the provinces from each other and led to bloody reprisals as other and led to bloody reprisals as other and led to bloody reprisals as cities were caught supporting this side cities were caught supporting this side cities were caught supporting this side or that at the wrong or that at the wrong or that at the wrong time underlying the war was the fact time underlying the war was the fact time underlying the war was the fact that feris was a donatist Christian and that feris was a donatist Christian and that feris was a donatist Christian and theodosius was a staunch theodosius was a staunch theodosius was a staunch Nan so the two sides began to break down Nan so the two sides began to break down Nan so the two sides began to break down along the same religious lines that had along the same religious lines that had along the same religious lines that had been dividing the Africans for been dividing the Africans for been dividing the Africans for years so all in all it was a bad time to years so all in all it was a bad time to years so all in all it was a bad time to be a North African and as was happening be a North African and as was happening be a North African and as was happening up in Britannia the bonds that tied the up in Britannia the bonds that tied the up in Britannia the bonds that tied the locals to the Empire and vice versa were locals to the Empire and vice versa were locals to the Empire and vice versa were beginning to fray dangerously eventually airmis was dangerously eventually airmis was brought down the same way that jagera brought down the same way that jagera brought down the same way that jagera had been brought down 500 years had been brought down 500 years had been brought down 500 years before another Morris Chief looking to before another Morris Chief looking to before another Morris Chief looking to get into theodosia's good books lured get into theodosia's good books lured get into theodosia's good books lured feris into a trap under false pretenses feris into a trap under false pretenses feris into a trap under false pretenses and captured him but unlike jagera feris and captured him but unlike jagera feris and captured him but unlike jagera feris was able to escape the humiliation of was able to escape the humiliation of was able to escape the humiliation of being presented to the Romans in Chains being presented to the Romans in Chains being presented to the Romans in Chains and he committed suicide before he could and he committed suicide before he could and he committed suicide before he could be handed be handed be handed over as I just said although theodosius over as I just said although theodosius over as I just said although theodosius was technically successful in his was technically successful in his was technically successful in his mission Romanus was out of the picture

mission Romanus was out of the picture mission Romanus was out of the picture and feris had been taken down without and feris had been taken down without and feris had been taken down without having to compromise with him the net having to compromise with him the net having to compromise with him the net result of it all was that the Roman hold result of it all was that the Roman hold result of it all was that the Roman hold over North Africa was further over North Africa was further over North Africa was further eroded as with Britain in about 50 years eroded as with Britain in about 50 years eroded as with Britain in about 50 years Roman rule in North Africa will enter Roman rule in North Africa will enter Roman rule in North Africa will enter its death spiral and though Justinian its death spiral and though Justinian its death spiral and though Justinian will be able to briefly reassert control will be able to briefly reassert control will be able to briefly reassert control over the region at disastrous cost the over the region at disastrous cost the over the region at disastrous cost the end of the Western Empire clearly was nigh while theodosius was quelling the nigh while theodosius was quelling the Revolt in Africa a valentinian struggled Revolt in Africa a valentinian struggled Revolt in Africa a valentinian struggled to deal with the continued intransigence to deal with the continued intransigence to deal with the continued intransigence of the alaman while also dealing with of the alaman while also dealing with of the alaman while also dealing with yet another hot spot lit on fire by yet another hot spot lit on fire by yet another hot spot lit on fire by Roman mismanagement this one flaring up Roman mismanagement this one flaring up Roman mismanagement this one flaring up along the along the along the danu failing to learn his lesson from danu failing to learn his lesson from danu failing to learn his lesson from what had just happened with the alaman what had just happened with the alaman what had just happened with the alaman in 373 valentinian ordered forward bases in 373 valentinian ordered forward bases in 373 valentinian ordered forward bases built across the danu in the territory built across the danu in the territory built across the danu in the territory of the of the of the quadi like the alaman the quaite were quadi like the alaman the quaite were quadi like the alaman the quaite were annoyed when they found out that forts annoyed when they found out that forts annoyed when they found out that forts were being built in their lands and so were being built in their lands and so were being built in their lands and so sent representatives to bargain with sent representatives to bargain with sent representatives to bargain with aquus who was still in charge of aquus who was still in charge of aquus who was still in charge of military operations in military operations in military operations in Alyria but aquus taking his cues from Alyria but aquus taking his cues from Alyria but aquus taking his cues from valentinian refused to meet with the valentinian refused to meet with the valentinian refused to meet with the representatives when they representatives when they representatives when they arrived we don't know exactly what arrived we don't know exactly what arrived we don't know exactly what happened next that is whether the quadi happened next that is whether the quadi happened next that is whether the quadi began to actively hinder the building began to actively hinder the building began to actively hinder the building projects like the Alam Mani had or if projects like the Alam Mani had or if projects like the Alam Mani had or if they just kept up their complaining but they just kept up their complaining but they just kept up their complaining but for one reason or another construction

for one reason or another construction for one reason or another construction of the forts began to fall behind of the forts began to fall behind of the forts began to fall behind schedule in response the petorian schedule in response the petorian schedule in response the petorian prefect of Gaul who had the emperor's prefect of Gaul who had the emperor's prefect of Gaul who had the emperor's ear because valentinian was based in ear because valentinian was based in ear because valentinian was based in Trier had his son marcelonis assigned to Trier had his son marcelonis assigned to Trier had his son marcelonis assigned to the project with a mandate to get it the project with a mandate to get it the project with a mandate to get it back on back on back on track marcelis packed his bags and made track marcelis packed his bags and made track marcelis packed his bags and made sure to bring his jug of gasoline and sure to bring his jug of gasoline and sure to bring his jug of gasoline and strike anywhere matches when the new new Foreman arrived matches when the new new Foreman arrived he did all the normal things you do when he did all the normal things you do when he did all the normal things you do when a project is stalled out he cracked the a project is stalled out he cracked the a project is stalled out he cracked the Whip and demanded results and not Whip and demanded results and not Whip and demanded results and not excuses as he was attempting to turn excuses as he was attempting to turn excuses as he was attempting to turn things around though he quickly learned things around though he quickly learned things around though he quickly learned that the quadi were still refusing to that the quadi were still refusing to that the quadi were still refusing to just roll over and accept the new Forts just roll over and accept the new Forts just roll over and accept the new Forts and they peppered him constantly with and they peppered him constantly with and they peppered him constantly with complaints and petitions and demands complaints and petitions and demands complaints and petitions and demands anything to get the Romans to knock it anything to get the Romans to knock it anything to get the Romans to knock it off all of this came to greatly annoy off all of this came to greatly annoy off all of this came to greatly annoy marcelis and so he de decided to send marcelis and so he de decided to send marcelis and so he de decided to send the quad a the quad a the quad a message he invited the leadership of the message he invited the leadership of the message he invited the leadership of the tribe to a Roman sponsored peace banquet tribe to a Roman sponsored peace banquet tribe to a Roman sponsored peace banquet and then when everyone was good and and then when everyone was good and and then when everyone was good and lubricated he seized the most powerful lubricated he seized the most powerful lubricated he seized the most powerful Quad king and had him Quad king and had him Quad king and had him executed marcelis was under the executed marcelis was under the executed marcelis was under the impression that this would cow the impression that this would cow the impression that this would cow the Germans into submission instead as I'm Germans into submission instead as I'm Germans into submission instead as I'm sure any objective Observer could have sure any objective Observer could have sure any objective Observer could have predicted Marcel anas's treachery predicted Marcel anas's treachery predicted Marcel anas's treachery sparked a war when the quad found found out what war when the quad found found out what had happened they got together with some had happened they got together with some had happened they got together with some Allied stations and launched a fullscale

Allied stations and launched a fullscale Allied stations and launched a fullscale attack on the Romans forward position on attack on the Romans forward position on attack on the Romans forward position on the north side of the the north side of the the north side of the danu taken completely off guard because danu taken completely off guard because danu taken completely off guard because he was under the impression that his he was under the impression that his he was under the impression that his sneaky murder had been so super sneaky murder had been so super sneaky murder had been so super intimidating Marcel leanis and his men intimidating Marcel leanis and his men intimidating Marcel leanis and his men were forced to pull up stakes and make a were forced to pull up stakes and make a were forced to pull up stakes and make a run for run for run for it when they got back across the danu it when they got back across the danu it when they got back across the danu they sat down to catch their breath but they sat down to catch their breath but they sat down to catch their breath but then looked up and realized that the then looked up and realized that the then looked up and realized that the quadi and sarmati were not stopping quadi and sarmati were not stopping quadi and sarmati were not stopping so marcelis and his men kept running so marcelis and his men kept running so marcelis and his men kept running South the Barbarian Force crossed the South the Barbarian Force crossed the South the Barbarian Force crossed the danu and kept up the pursuit burning and danu and kept up the pursuit burning and danu and kept up the pursuit burning and pillaging anything they came across the Roman alarm was quickly across the Roman alarm was quickly raised and two Legions were sent to raised and two Legions were sent to raised and two Legions were sent to intercept the Invaders but just to intercept the Invaders but just to intercept the Invaders but just to compound an already disastrous situation compound an already disastrous situation compound an already disastrous situation the commanders of the two Legions didn't the commanders of the two Legions didn't the commanders of the two Legions didn't get along with each other they failed to get along with each other they failed to get along with each other they failed to cooperate and so the quad armian Army cooperate and so the quad armian Army cooperate and so the quad armian Army was able to continue their marauding was able to continue their marauding was able to continue their marauding unchecked now less interested in unchecked now less interested in unchecked now less interested in revenging themselves upon marcelonis and revenging themselves upon marcelonis and revenging themselves upon marcelonis and more interested in just more interested in just more interested in just plundering while yria burned another plundering while yria burned another plundering while yria burned another branch of the sarmatians decided to join branch of the sarmatians decided to join branch of the sarmatians decided to join in the fund and crossed over the danu in the fund and crossed over the danu in the fund and crossed over the danu into moesia but unlike the Roman into moesia but unlike the Roman into moesia but unlike the Roman response in Alyria which was a delicious response in Alyria which was a delicious response in Alyria which was a delicious mix of cowardice and internal bickering mix of cowardice and internal bickering mix of cowardice and internal bickering the Roman response in micia was smart the Roman response in micia was smart the Roman response in micia was smart prompt and prompt and prompt and effective mostly because the Dukes of effective mostly because the Dukes of effective mostly because the Dukes of micia was an able young Commander named micia was an able young Commander named micia was an able young Commander named theodosius yes that

theodocious with the danub bunder attack theodocious with the danub bunder attack and North Africa still a mess and North Africa still a mess and North Africa still a mess valentinian was forced to do something valentinian was forced to do something valentinian was forced to do something that he really really didn't want to do that he really really didn't want to do that he really really didn't want to do make peace with the make peace with the make peace with the Alami and not just the alaman in general Alami and not just the alaman in general Alami and not just the alaman in general but macaranas in but macaranas in but macaranas in particular since valentinian had particular since valentinian had particular since valentinian had assassinated his predecessor mionis had assassinated his predecessor mionis had assassinated his predecessor mionis had emerged as the leading anti-roman Chief emerged as the leading anti-roman Chief emerged as the leading anti-roman Chief in the German ranks he had orchestrated in the German ranks he had orchestrated in the German ranks he had orchestrated the attack on the heidleberg fort and the attack on the heidleberg fort and the attack on the heidleberg fort and then kept up the resistance even as then kept up the resistance even as then kept up the resistance even as theodocious won engagement after theodocious won engagement after theodocious won engagement after engagement technically he had then been engagement technically he had then been engagement technically he had then been deposed but as soon as theodus withdrew deposed but as soon as theodus withdrew deposed but as soon as theodus withdrew the alaman began agitating against their the alaman began agitating against their the alaman began agitating against their new puppet King and pledging their new puppet King and pledging their new puppet King and pledging their allegiance once again to allegiance once again to allegiance once again to macanas unable to spare the men or the macanas unable to spare the men or the macanas unable to spare the men or the manpower to head back into German manpower to head back into German manpower to head back into German territory and forced the alaman to do territory and forced the alaman to do territory and forced the alaman to do what valentinian wanted them to do what valentinian wanted them to do what valentinian wanted them to do around 374 the emperor gave up and came around 374 the emperor gave up and came around 374 the emperor gave up and came to terms with his enemy recognizing to terms with his enemy recognizing to terms with his enemy recognizing maconis as the rightful leader of the maconis as the rightful leader of the maconis as the rightful leader of the alaman and promising to respect their alaman and promising to respect their alaman and promising to respect their territorial territorial territorial claims it was a bitter but necessary claims it was a bitter but necessary claims it was a bitter but necessary pill for valentinian to swallow it was a necessary pill because swallow it was a necessary pill because in the middle of 374 valentinian in the middle of 374 valentinian in the middle of 374 valentinian received a full report on how operations received a full report on how operations received a full report on how operations were going along the western danu were going along the western danu were going along the western danu frontier the answer as we just saw was a frontier the answer as we just saw was a frontier the answer as we just saw was a resounding really not resounding really not resounding really not well marcelis had high tailed it out of

well marcelis had high tailed it out of well marcelis had high tailed it out of the area and the commanders of the the area and the commanders of the the area and the commanders of the Border Legions were pointing fingers at Border Legions were pointing fingers at Border Legions were pointing fingers at each other concentrating far harder on each other concentrating far harder on each other concentrating far harder on covering their asses than actually covering their asses than actually covering their asses than actually dealing with the Barbarians in their dealing with the Barbarians in their dealing with the Barbarians in their midst this was clearly going to take the midst this was clearly going to take the midst this was clearly going to take the presence of the emperor to sort out so presence of the emperor to sort out so presence of the emperor to sort out so valentinian made plans to leave the Rind valentinian made plans to leave the Rind valentinian made plans to leave the Rind for the first time in nearly a for the first time in nearly a for the first time in nearly a decade when he finally departed it would decade when he finally departed it would decade when he finally departed it would be the last time that a senior Augustus be the last time that a senior Augustus be the last time that a senior Augustus would make his headquarters in the would make his headquarters in the would make his headquarters in the western half of the western half of the western half of the Empire it had already come as something Empire it had already come as something Empire it had already come as something of a surprise that valentinian had taken of a surprise that valentinian had taken of a surprise that valentinian had taken the West as his territory in the first the West as his territory in the first the West as his territory in the first place since at this point in history it place since at this point in history it place since at this point in history it was neither economically nor culturally was neither economically nor culturally was neither economically nor culturally as rich as the East and going forward no as rich as the East and going forward no as rich as the East and going forward no powerful Emperor would make the mistake powerful Emperor would make the mistake powerful Emperor would make the mistake of B basing himself in Gaul when he of B basing himself in Gaul when he of B basing himself in Gaul when he could base himself in could base himself in could base himself in Constantinople the Eastern Empire had Constantinople the Eastern Empire had Constantinople the Eastern Empire had its problems sure but look around the its problems sure but look around the its problems sure but look around the West is a decaying poor wreck who want West is a decaying poor wreck who want West is a decaying poor wreck who want any part of that any part of that any part of that dump maybe Stilo could have done dump maybe Stilo could have done dump maybe Stilo could have done something with it had he been given a something with it had he been given a something with it had he been given a chance but that is a what if comic for chance but that is a what if comic for chance but that is a what if comic for another day in the spring of 375 valentinian day in the spring of 375 valentinian arrived on The Dan Frontier and surveyed arrived on The Dan Frontier and surveyed arrived on The Dan Frontier and surveyed the damage he didn't need any more the damage he didn't need any more the damage he didn't need any more reports to tell him how bad things had reports to tell him how bad things had reports to tell him how bad things had gotten when he arrived at the key gotten when he arrived at the key gotten when he arrived at the key military city of Corum he found it a military city of Corum he found it a military city of Corum he found it a ghost town with the Army out in the

ghost town with the Army out in the ghost town with the Army out in the field the inhabitants had fled for their field the inhabitants had fled for their field the inhabitants had fled for their lives but though things had gotten out lives but though things had gotten out lives but though things had gotten out of hand it wasn't that bad as theodus of hand it wasn't that bad as theodus of hand it wasn't that bad as theodus the younger had shown the Romans were the younger had shown the Romans were the younger had shown the Romans were more than capable of dealing with a few more than capable of dealing with a few more than capable of dealing with a few Barbarian Invaders they were just doing Barbarian Invaders they were just doing Barbarian Invaders they were just doing a really crappy job of it in a really crappy job of it in a really crappy job of it in ayria when word got around that the ayria when word got around that the ayria when word got around that the emperor was now in the area even The emperor was now in the area even The emperor was now in the area even The Barbarians had to admit that yeah maybe Barbarians had to admit that yeah maybe Barbarians had to admit that yeah maybe we have been taking advantage of the we have been taking advantage of the we have been taking advantage of the situation switching immediately from situation switching immediately from situation switching immediately from raising hell mode to abject graveling raising hell mode to abject graveling raising hell mode to abject graveling mode representatives of the quadan mode representatives of the quadan mode representatives of the quadan station showed up at the Imperial Court station showed up at the Imperial Court station showed up at the Imperial Court begging begging begging forgiveness they laid out their case forgiveness they laid out their case forgiveness they laid out their case against Marcel Anis and swore up and against Marcel Anis and swore up and against Marcel Anis and swore up and down that had their King not been down that had their King not been down that had their King not been murdered but none of this would have murdered but none of this would have murdered but none of this would have happened the emperor through happened the emperor through happened the emperor through intermediaries of course promised to intermediaries of course promised to intermediaries of course promised to investigate the matter so he could investigate the matter so he could investigate the matter so he could decide for himself who was to blame and decide for himself who was to blame and decide for himself who was to blame and who should be who should be who should be punished but the members of the Imperial punished but the members of the Imperial punished but the members of the Imperial Court were not typically in the habit of Court were not typically in the habit of Court were not typically in the habit of siding with barbarians against the son siding with barbarians against the son siding with barbarians against the son of a petorian prefect and so when the of a petorian prefect and so when the of a petorian prefect and so when the investigators came back they reported investigators came back they reported investigators came back they reported that the quadi had been completely out that the quadi had been completely out that the quadi had been completely out of line and were 100% to blame verdict in hand valentinian blame verdict in hand valentinian announced that he was going to punish announced that he was going to punish announced that he was going to punish the quadi for their unprovoked invasion the quadi for their unprovoked invasion the quadi for their unprovoked invasion of Roman of Roman of Roman territory he gathered up an army and in territory he gathered up an army and in territory he gathered up an army and in the late summer of 375 he launched a the late summer of 375 he launched a the late summer of 375 he launched a punitive Expedition into quad territory

punitive Expedition into quad territory punitive Expedition into quad territory crossing the danu near modern crossing the danu near modern crossing the danu near modern Budapest he spent the next few months Budapest he spent the next few months Budapest he spent the next few months successfully punishing The Barbarians successfully punishing The Barbarians successfully punishing The Barbarians for something that yeah they had done for something that yeah they had done for something that yeah they had done but really wasn't Marcel anas's just but really wasn't Marcel anas's just but really wasn't Marcel anas's just awful diplomacy really to awful diplomacy really to awful diplomacy really to blame as winter approached the emperor blame as winter approached the emperor blame as winter approached the emperor withdrew back across the danu and moved withdrew back across the danu and moved withdrew back across the danu and moved a bit up a bit up a bit up River it seemed that that would be the River it seemed that that would be the River it seemed that that would be the end of valentinian's campaigning for the end of valentinian's campaigning for the end of valentinian's campaigning for the year but for reasons unknown it appears year but for reasons unknown it appears year but for reasons unknown it appears that he changed his mind and decided to that he changed his mind and decided to that he changed his mind and decided to keep going with a winter keep going with a winter keep going with a winter offensive in November of 375 having been offensive in November of 375 having been offensive in November of 375 having been battered around more than enough and battered around more than enough and battered around more than enough and ready to put an end to the fighting ready to put an end to the fighting ready to put an end to the fighting envoys from the quad once again showed envoys from the quad once again showed envoys from the quad once again showed up at the Imperial Court begging up at the Imperial Court begging up at the Imperial Court begging forgiveness and asking what it would forgiveness and asking what it would forgiveness and asking what it would take for the emperor to take for the emperor to take for the emperor to desist as satisfied that The Barbarians desist as satisfied that The Barbarians desist as satisfied that The Barbarians were now showing the proper degree of were now showing the proper degree of were now showing the proper degree of humility valentinian's courtiers humility valentinian's courtiers humility valentinian's courtiers informed the quadi that the terms would informed the quadi that the terms would informed the quadi that the terms would be the standard Arrangement provide X be the standard Arrangement provide X be the standard Arrangement provide X number of young recruits for the legions number of young recruits for the legions number of young recruits for the legions each year and there will be each year and there will be each year and there will be peace the qua agreed but before they peace the qua agreed but before they peace the qua agreed but before they went back home they once again humbly went back home they once again humbly went back home they once again humbly requested a personal audience with the requested a personal audience with the requested a personal audience with the emperor breaking with his established emperor breaking with his established emperor breaking with his established practice this time valentinian agreed to practice this time valentinian agreed to practice this time valentinian agreed to meet them but as we will see next week meet them but as we will see next week meet them but as we will see next week it was perhaps a good thing that the it was perhaps a good thing that the it was perhaps a good thing that the emperor had kept himself distanced from emperor had kept himself distanced from emperor had kept himself distanced from The Barbarians for all these

years however before we get to that years however before we get to that fateful meeting we must turn our fateful meeting we must turn our fateful meeting we must turn our attention back to the attention back to the attention back to the east we left vein off two episodes back east we left vein off two episodes back east we left vein off two episodes back firmly in command of the Eastern Empire firmly in command of the Eastern Empire firmly in command of the Eastern Empire after defeating procopius in May of after defeating procopius in May of after defeating procopius in May of 366 and now we're up to November of 366 and now we're up to November of 366 and now we're up to November of 375 So what had valentinian's brother 375 So what had valentinian's brother 375 So what had valentinian's brother been up to for the last decade twiddling been up to for the last decade twiddling been up to for the last decade twiddling his thumbs and waiting for Adrien opal his thumbs and waiting for Adrien opal his thumbs and waiting for Adrien opal hardly the Eastern Empire though hardly the Eastern Empire though hardly the Eastern Empire though stronger and richer than the Western stronger and richer than the Western stronger and richer than the Western Empire was not exactly a Bed of Empire was not exactly a Bed of Empire was not exactly a Bed of Roses so next week we will cover the Roses so next week we will cover the Roses so next week we will cover the adventures of veilance as he deals first adventures of veilance as he deals first adventures of veilance as he deals first with unruly Goths and then presumptuous with unruly Goths and then presumptuous with unruly Goths and then presumptuous cits with the latter being a far more cits with the latter being a far more cits with the latter being a far more powerful and far more organized threat powerful and far more organized threat powerful and far more organized threat the Eastern Augustus tended to focus all the Eastern Augustus tended to focus all the Eastern Augustus tended to focus all of his attention on the Persian issue of his attention on the Persian issue of his attention on the Persian issue especially because shapur was causing so especially because shapur was causing so especially because shapur was causing so much trouble in what has to be by far much trouble in what has to be by far much trouble in what has to be by far the most important technically neutral the most important technically neutral the most important technically neutral Little Kingdom in the history of the Little Kingdom in the history of the Little Kingdom in the history of the world world world Armenia