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Valentinianus First

The son of Gratian, who was raised to the throne by his merit and valor.

He obtained victories over the Barbarians in Gaul and in Africa, and punished the Quadi with severity. He broke a blood-vessel and died, A. D. 375. Immediately after his death his son, Valentinian the Second, was proclaimed emperor, who was remarkable for benevolence and clemency. He was robbed of his throne by Maximus, but regained it by the aid of Theodosius, emperor of the East.

He was strangled by one of his officers. The third Valentinian was made emperor in his youth, and on coming to maturer age he disgraced himself by violence and oppression. He was murdered A. D. 454.

Valerianus, Publius Licinius. A celebrated Roman emperor, who, on ascending the throne, lost the virtues he had previously possessed. He made his son Gallienus his colleague in the empire. He made war against the Goths and Scythians. He was defeated in battle and made prisoner by Sapor, king of Persia, who put him to death by torture.