Valens, Flavius

Born circa 328; died circa 378. Emperor of the eastern part of the Roman Empire from 364.

Valens was coruler with his brother, Valentinian I. In 376 he allowed the Visigoths, who were being pressed by the Huns, to settle in the Roman province of Moesia. In the Battle of Adrianople (378), the army of Valens suffered defeat at the hands of the Visigoths, who had rebelled against the oppressive measures imposed on them by Roman officials. Valens himself was killed in the battle.