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Valens And The Roman State In The Fourth Century: Transformation Of The Roman World

Edgar Hayes

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Published in Failure Of Empire: Valens And The Roman State In The Fourth Century A D (Transformation Of The Classical Heritage 34)

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The reign of Emperor Valens (364-378 CE) was a pivotal period in the history of the Roman Empire. It was a time of great change and upheaval, as the empire grappled with a number of internal and external challenges. Valens' rule saw the continuation of the trend towards the division of the empire, the rise of Christianity, and the increasing influence of the military in government. These factors would all have a profound impact on the future of the Roman Empire.

Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century A D (Transformation of the Classical Heritage 34)

Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century A.D. (Transformation of the Classical Heritage Book 34)

4.4 out of 5

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The Division of the Empire

One of the most significant developments during Valens' reign was the division of the empire. In 364 CE, the empire was divided into two halves, with Valens ruling the eastern half and his brother Valentinian I ruling the western half. This division was the result of a number of factors, including the increasing size and complexity of the empire, the need to defend the empire from external threats, and the personal ambitions of the two emperors. The division of the empire would have a lasting impact on its history, as it would eventually lead to the creation of two separate empires, the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire.

The Rise of Christianity

Another major development during Valens' reign was the rise of Christianity. Christianity had been growing in popularity within the empire for centuries, and by the fourth century it had become the dominant religion in many parts of the empire. Valens was a Christian himself, and he supported the spread of Christianity throughout the empire. He also passed a number of laws that favored Christians, such as the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 CE, which made Christianity the official religion of the empire. The rise of Christianity would have a profound impact on the Roman Empire, as it would eventually become the state religion of the empire and would help to shape its culture and values.

The Increasing Influence of the Military

The third major development during Valens' reign was the increasing influence of the military in government. The Roman army had always been a powerful force in the empire, but during the fourth century it began to play a more dominant role in government. This was due to a number of factors, including the need to defend the empire from external threats, the increasing power of the military commanders, and the weakness of the civilian government. The increasing influence of the military would have a negative impact on the Roman Empire, as it would eventually lead to the collapse of the civilian government and the establishment of a military dictatorship.

The reign of Emperor Valens was a time of great change and upheaval for the Roman Empire. The division of the empire, the rise of Christianity, and the increasing influence of the military all had a profound impact on the future of the empire. These factors would eventually lead to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century CE and the creation of the Eastern Roman Empire, which would survive for another thousand years.

Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century A.D. (Transformation of the Classical Heritage Book 34)

4.4 out of 5