The New Student's Reference Work/Valentinian I

Valentin′ian I, emperor of the Western Roman empire from 364 to 375 A. D. As a military officer under Julian and Jovian he rose to a high position, and on the death of Jovian was chosen emperor by the officers of the army at Nicaea. Soon after this he named his brother Valens as his colleague, and the two brothers divided the empire between them, Valentinian, as emperor of the west, taking Italy, Illyricum, Spain, Britain, Gaul and Africa. During Valentinian's reign there were wars in Africa and Germany, and Rome also came into collision with peoples of whom we now hear for the first time —Burgundians, Saxons and Alemanni. The emperor's headquarters were at Treves during the greater portion of his reign. His general administration was wise and able and, in many respects, beneficent. Although hard and exacting in the collection of taxes from his people, the money was spent in defending and improving his dominions, and not in idle show or luxury. He died of apoplexy in 375, and was succeeded by Gratian and Valentian II, his sons.