10-27-2013, 01:07 PM
Quote:If Valens waited for Gratian maybye he would have 80,000. Why did he attack with only 15,000 army? Were the attacking on different sections on the Rhine besides Adrianople?
Well Andy, there is many things in your post that seems to me highly controversial.But I will focus only on your last questions.
1-All numbers are highly speculative.We dont know how many soldiers Valens have(so number of 15 000 is irellevant)as well we dont know how many reinforments were on their way with Gratianus.
2-No they were not attacking on the different sections on the Rhine besides Adrianople because Rhine is western Europian river and actions of this campaign would have take place around Danube river and Balkan area.
3-It is unknown why Valens decided not to wait on Gratian.Most prabably because he believed to false report about barbarian army strenght(reported much smaller then it really was)and dont want to share glory from victory with his western colleague and nephew Gratianus who already scored some notable successes while fighting barbarians in the field.Valentinianus although older and senior in rank lacked such victory and is reported to be jealous on his young nephew.
