Talk:Valerius Valens

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Military history: Biography / Roman & Byzantine / Classical Start‑class

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A slave?

Constantine called him a "vile slave". Does this betray the very humble origin of Valens? A son of a freedman? A barbarian? Assuming, of course, that Constantine's words (or Patricius' text) can be taken at face value. Any scholarly reference on the matter is welcome. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dipa1965 (talk • contribs) 10:11, 28 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Assessment

I think because of the lack of info and the time period this person was around, I don't know if it can feasibly hit B-class or not. It's at least a C though, might've been B under the old system. Wizardman 15:42, 5 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Augustus or Caesar?

Chapter XIV of Edward Gibbon's The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire states that at the end of the Battle of Cibalis, Valens was elevated to the rank of Caesar, and not Augustus. His source on the matter is Book 2 of Zosimus' New History. Relevant excerpt from the book -

As soon as it was light, Licinius, perceiving Constantine with his army, drew up his forces also, having been joined by Valens, whom he styled Caesar, after the battle of Cibalis.

D.S.Potter (2004) in p378 & footnote 69 in p672, citing also Barnes & Konig, states clearly that Valens was elevated to the rank of Augustus. Obviously it's not about simply accepting an obsolete historian and a primary source at their face value.--Dipa1965 (talk) 20:34, 18 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]