Rome Never Splits

POD
When Western Emperor Valentinian I (364-375) died, the empire was divided between his sons - Gratian got Gaul (OTL France), Britain and Hispania (OTL Spain), while Valentinian II got Italy and the African provinces. Meanwhile, Valens, Valentinian's brother, was ruling in the west. In the year Valentinian died, a group of Huns invaded Eastern Europe. The Goths, fleeing from them, asked Valens if they could settle in Illyria (OTL Serbia and Croatia) in 376. Valens allowed a small group led by a cheiftain called Fritigern to settle there. However, more Goths, Alans and even Huns migrated into the borders of the East Roman Empire. When the Roman generals treated the tribes badly, they started a rebellion early the next year.

POD*

At the same time, Gratian and Valentinian II decided that they wanted the whole empire for themselves, not just the Western part. They gathered an army, and leaving the general Mallobaudes behind to look after any barbarian threats, marched off east. When they got there, they found that Valens, having withdrawn all but a very small force to defend against the Persians, was in Constantinople (OTL Istanbul) about to launch an attack on the rebelllious Goths. Gratian formed an alliance with the Goths and they jointly attacked Constantinople. After a very short seige, Gratian entered the city truimphant.

Then, he turned on the Goths. A surprise attack was launched consisting of the army Gratian brought to deal with Valens and the army Valens brought to deal with the Goths. The Goths were defeated, but the battle was long and bloody, and Gratian was killed. He managed to nominate his successors - Valentinian II would be Western Emperor, and a general named Theodosius Eastern Emperor.

In 383, a general named Magnus Maximus revolted in Britain and invaded Gaul.

*In OTL, Gratian and Valentinian decided not to rebel against Valens.