Eutropius and Festus: Some Reflections on the Empire and Imperial Policy in A.D. 369/370

By A.D.369 the eastern emperor Valens had been campaigning against the Goths in the region of the lower Danube for three years. After somewhat desultory fighting he was finally successful in reducing them to such straits that they were compelled to send several suppliant deputations to him to beg for pardon and peace. This was granted and, probably towards the end of that year, Valens was able to return to Constantinople where with some justification he celebrated a triumph and assumed the title Gothicus Maximus) It is likely that Eutropius, the emperor's magister memoriae ,chose this moment to present Valens with his Breviarium of Roman History. The work was apparently commissioned by and dedicated to the emperor and well-received, for it seems that Eutropius was subsequently appointed proconsul of Asia, a uch coveted post.