Conflict 365–94
This chapter concludes the story of Romano-Alamannic conflict from the later 3rd century by examining events in the period from Valentinian I to Theodosius I. It argues that, though still inclined to casual raiding, the Alamanni remained no substantive threat. Valentinian I made much of fighting them because he consciously adopted Julian's policy of aggressive pacification for political advantage. Doubt is cast upon the effectiveness of his major military innovation, his Rhine fleet and associated bases. Attention is also given to his failure to understand the Alamannic king Macrianus. Aggressive pacification was maintained by his successor Gratian, but then fell away as Franks became the enemy of choice. There is no record of significant Roman conflict with Alamanni after 383.
Keywords: Rhine fleet, Franks, Gratian, Macrianus, Valentinian I
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