Editing Valentinian I (section)

== Early life ==
Valentinian was born in 321 at Cibalae (now [[Vinkovci]], [[Croatia]]) in southern [[Pannonia]]{{Sfn|Roberts|1998}}{{Sfn|Grant|1985|p=259}} into a family of [[Illyro-Roman]] origin.{{Sfn|Lenski|2003|p=56}} Valentinian and his younger brother [[Valens]] were the sons of [[Gratianus Funarius|Gratianus]] (nicknamed Funarius), a military officer renowned for his wrestling skills.{{Sfn|Roberts|1998}}{{Sfn|Grant|1985|p=259}}{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=2}}

Gratianus was promoted to ''[[comes Africae]]'' in the late 320s or early 330s, and the young Valentinian accompanied his father to Africa.{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=4}}{{Sfn|Grant|1985|p=259}} However, Gratianus was soon accused of embezzlement and retired.{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=4}}{{Sfn|Roberts|1998}} Valentinian joined the army in the late 330s and later probably acquired the position of ''[[Domesticus (Roman Empire)|protector domesticus]]''.{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=4}}{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=7}} Gratianus was later recalled during the early 340s and was made ''[[comes Britanniarum]]''.{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=4}}{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=7}} After holding this post, he retired to the family estate in Cibalae.{{sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=5}}{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=7}}

In 350, [[Constans I]] was assassinated by agents of the [[usurper]] [[Magnentius]], a commander who proclaimed himself emperor in [[Gaul]].{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=471}} [[Constantius II]], older brother of Constans and emperor in the East, promptly set forth towards Magnentius with a large army.{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=8}} The following year the two emperors met in Pannonia and fought the [[Battle of Mursa Major]], which ended in a costly victory for Constantius.{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=8}}{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=473}} Two years later Magnentius killed himself after another defeat at the [[Battle of Mons Seleucus]], leaving Constantius sole ruler of the empire.{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=8}}{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=474}} It was around this time that Constantius confiscated Gratianus' property, for supposedly showing hospitality to Magnentius when he was in Pannonia.{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=8}} Despite his father's fall from favour, Valentinian does not seem to have been adversely affected at this time, making it unlikely he ever fought for the usurper.{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=13}}{{sfn|Hughes|2013|p=8}} It is known that Valentinian was in the region during the conflict, but what involvement he had in the war, if any, is unknown.{{Sfn|Tomlin|1973|p=13}}