Valentinian I (A.D. 321-375) was Roman emperor from A.D. 364 until his death on Nov. 17, 375. He ruled capably and with absolute power. Valentinian tried to protect the poor from dishonest government officials and powerful senators. He also allowed much religious freedom.
Valentinian was born at Cibalae, near what is now Belgrade in Serbia. He served as an officer in the Roman army. In A.D. 364, he was chosen emperor after the death of Emperor Jovian. Valentinian appointed his brother Valens co-ruler and gave him the eastern provinces to rule (see Valens ). Throughout Valentinian’s reign, the group of German tribes in the north known as the Alemanni and the desert tribes in Africa rebelled. Valentinian spent much of his time as emperor campaigning against the Alemanni.
