WI: Valens survives defeat?

[Marja]

Suppose Valens doesn't get killed in the Battle of Hadrianopolis. He still loses at least half his army - quite possibly two-thirds of his army - in the battle and the retreat.

Since Valens survives, Theodosius doesn't become Emperor. Arcadius and Honorius never become Emperors either. Athanasius' doctrines probably don't become the official religion, and that controversy might continue unabated.

If Valens survives, how do you think this would affect the terms after the Gothic War?

Would Magnus Maximus and/or Eugenius become rival emperors?

 

[Bee]

Valens' only son predeceased him, so if he died before Gratian, Gratian would still be his heir, and would probably appoint an Eastern colleague. If Valens lives longer than Gratian, Valentinian II can eventually inherit the east.