Va'lens (328-378), Roman emperor, declared emperor of the East by his brother, Valentinian I, who had already been elected emperor. The chief event of his reign was the war with the Goths, which lasted during the period. The Goths were several times defeated, and they sued for peace, which was granted them (370). In 377, driven southward by the Huns, they asked and received permission to settle on Roman territory, but, irritated by the treatment they received at the hands of the imperial officials, they soon took up arms, defeated Valens and destroyed the greater part of his army. Valens was never heard of afterward.