Theodosius
(Flavius Theodosius)
346–395
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Theodosius is best known in history for his relationship with the Christian church. He was baptized as a Christian in 380 A.D. and shortly thereafter convened the Council of Constantinople, the second council of the Christian church. He strongly opposed the Arian heresy, and passed an edict which discouraged the practice of the pagan religion. Although he passed several laws that favored the institutions of the church, his most significant contribution, and the one he is most famous for, was his humble submission to a penance dictated by Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan. In 390 A.D. the inhabitants of Thessalonica revolted, and in anger Theodosius ordered all men, women, and children in the town to be slaughtered. He later repented of this deed, and confessed his sins to Ambrose, but Ambrose required that he do public penance before being readmitted to the church. The idea that even emperors were subject to the laws of God was a radically new idea, especially for a civilization such as Rome, that had a history of deifying their emperors.
When Theodosius died he left the eastern empire to his son Arcadius, and the throne stayed in that family for sixty years. He left the western empire to his son Honorius who presided over the western empire, as it was overrun by the barbarian hordes.
Key events during the life of Theodosius:
| Military governor of Moesia. | |
| Withdrew to Spain after his father was murdered. | |
| Valens, emperor of the East, killed in battle. | |
| Elevated to co-emperor of the East by Gratian (Emperor of the West). | |
| Battled Visigoths in the Balkans. Theodosius is baptized as a Christian. | |
| Made peace with the Ostrogoths. Called First Council of Constantinople. | |
| Gratian murdered—Maximus usurps western empire. | |
| Eldest son Arcadius is named co-ruler with Theodosius in the East. | |
| Marched against Maximus, and returned the western throne to Valentinian II. | |
| Excommunicated by Ambrose due to the massacre of thousands of Thessalonians. | |
| Passed edicts discouraging the practices of paganism. | |
| Valentinian II murdered by one of his generals. Eugenius is installed on the western throne. | |
| Defeated Eugenius; and raised his younger son Honorius to the western throne. | |
| Died, leaving the empire divided between his sons. |
Other Resources
| Emperor's Penance in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
| End of the Western Empire in | Famous Men of Rome by John H. Haaren & A. B. Poland |
| Breaking the Frontier in | The Story of the Middle Ages by Samuel B. Harding |
| Ambrose in | The Early Church, from Ignatius to Augustine by George Hodges |
| The Crime of Theodosius in | Red Book of Heroes by Mrs. Andrew Lang |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 Gold medal of Theodosius in Famous Men of Rome |
 Ambrose rebukes Theodosius, Fugel in Famous Men of Rome |
 Ambrose Barring Theodosius from the Church in Greatest Nations - Rome |
Ambrose Rebukes Theodosius in Back Matter |
 Go back', he said. in Red Book of Heroes |
 Let him die.', he said. in Red Book of Heroes |
| Bishop of Milan. Resisted Arian heresy, advised emperors, advocated for Church interests. | |
| Gratian | Emperor in West; raised Theodosius to the throne in the East. |
| Valentinian II | Rightful heir to the western throne, driven by usurpers to flee to Theodosius. |
| Maximus | Usurper of the western throne. |
| Arcadius | Son of Theodosius; succeeded his father in the East. |
| Honorius | Western Emperor during the Visigoth raids of Alaric. Moved capital to Ravenna. Murdered Stilicho. |