WI Valens won battle of Adrianople?

In 9 August 378 emperor Valens confronted Goths in Adrianople... Valens seemed to win the battle but he was surrounded by Gothic cavalry (which was returning from a raid nearby) and 2/3 of the Roman Army was annihilated including the Emperor who was burned alive on his tent...
In OTL Valens had refused to wait for Gratian's help...
WI He had joined forces with Gratian and outnumbered Goths in infantry and cavalry? Goths would have been crushed that day and they wouldnt be a threat to the empire anymore...
Any thoughts?
 
A victory at Adrianople doesn't by itself solve the problems of the late Roman Army. Firstly, barbarian migrations on the steppes of Asia would still force large armed bands into the Empire, later on. Secondly, the Roman army of Valens' day had lost the supremacy upon which the Roman Empire had been built. It was quite simply no longer the most effective fighting force in Europe.

The Empire might survive a bit longer, but its fundamental problems would remain.
 
If Valens waited for Gratian's forces to arrive it would be beneficial for both Empires... Goths would be repealed so ERE can take a deap breath before Huns appear and Gratian strengthened by this victory might have lived longer and WRE would be more stable...
 
If Valens waited for Gratian's forces to arrive it would be beneficial for both Empires... Goths would be repealed so ERE can take a deap breath before Huns appear and Gratian strengthened by this victory might have lived longer and WRE would be more stable...

In that case I expect Valens and Gratian to heavily discuss about who killed off the Goths and has the merit of it. Valens didn't wait for Gratian because he wanted all the glory of the victory for him. Whithout the Gothic threat, it can result in a war between the East and West that opens the door to the next barbarian horde.
 
In that case I expect Valens and Gratian to heavily discuss about who killed off the Goths and has the merit of it. Valens didn't wait for Gratian because he wanted all the glory of the victory for him. Whithout the Gothic threat, it can result in a war between the East and West that opens the door to the next barbarian horde.

My point exactly... Valens and Gratian fight about the victory over Goths and Huns and Vandals flood Europe from north and Persians invade in Syria and Asia Minor... Complete chaos and collapse of Roman rule everywhere...
 
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