Valens
FLAVIUS, Roman emperor of the East; born in Pannonia, in 328; declared emperor of the East by his brother Valentinian I., who had already been elected emperor. The chief event of his reign was the war with the Goths under Athanaric, which lasted during the whole of Valens' reign. The Goths were several times defeated, and sued for peace, which was granted them (370).
In 377 the Goths, driven S. by the Huns, asked and received permission to settle on Roman territory. Irritated by the VALENTINIAN II. treatment they received at the hands of the imperial officials, they soon took up arms, and in 378 defeated Valens and destroyed the greater part of his army.
Valens was never seen or heard of afterward.