Valerius Pinianus (Pinian; ~ 381 – 420 or 432)[1] in Jerusalem, was a member of a branch of the gens Valeria (gens Valeria Severa) and among the richest men of his time. He was the son of a Roman praefectus urbi and also had a brother named Severus. His life is closely coupled with that of his paternal cousin[2] and wife, Melania the Younger, whom he married sometime between 396 and 400 (year mostly given as 399).[3] After their arrival in Tagaste, North Africa in 410 and Melanias mother (possibly together with Pelagius – the year of their first encounter is sometimes given as 418[4]), Augustine, bishop of Hippo, convinced the couple to dedicate a large part of their wealth to his church. In 417, the couple moved to Palestine.