Lupicinus (magister equitum)

Lupicinus was a Roman magister equitum (Master of the Horse) who served under the Emperor Valens in the late 4th century AD. He is primarily known for his role in the events leading up to and during the Gothic War of 376-382 AD.

Appointed to the position of magister equitum, Lupicinus was effectively the second-in-command of the Roman army in the East, subordinate only to Valens himself. When the Visigoths, fleeing the advancing Huns, sought refuge within the Roman Empire, Lupicinus, along with comes rei militaris Maximus, was tasked with overseeing their settlement in Thrace.

Lupicinus's mismanagement and exploitation of the Goths, exacerbated by widespread corruption and a breakdown in the Roman supply system, contributed significantly to the outbreak of hostilities. The Goths, facing starvation and mistreatment, eventually revolted near Marcianopolis after Lupicinus attempted to assassinate some of their leaders at a banquet.

The Gothic revolt quickly spiraled into a full-scale war. Lupicinus led Roman forces in the initial stages of the conflict but suffered a significant defeat at the Battle of Marcianopolis in 376 AD. Details regarding his subsequent actions and fate are scarce and often contradictory, although historical sources suggest that he continued to hold a military command of some sort. He is not known to have participated in the disastrous Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD, where Valens was killed.