History, Facts and Information about Theodosius I
The content of this article provides interesting history, facts and information about the Emperor Theodosius I and the all-powerful Caesars who ruled the empire of Ancient Rome. The word "Caesar" was originally the name of the famous aristocratic patrician family of ancient Rome and became synonymous with the Roman Emperors. Refer to the comprehensive List of Roman Emperors for the names of the most famous Romans, their dynasties and the historic eras of all the Roman Emperors and usurpers. Read about the life of Theodosius I who can be described or remembered as:
"The Emperor who resisted the Barbarians..."
Short Biography about the life of Theodosius I
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Theodosius I, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.
Name commonly known as: Theodosius I
Latin Roman Name: Flavius Theodosius
Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: August 378 - 15 May 392 as emperor in the east, with Gratian and Valentinian II in the west and finally 15 May 392 - 17 January 395 across the whole Roman Empire
Dynasty / Historical Period: The Valentinian dynasty (364 - 394) derives its name from the first of the dynasty's Emperors - Valentinian I. Orthodox Christianity became the officially tolerated variant of the faith and the Empire became irrevocably split into two halves.
Place and Date of Birth: 11 January 347 in Cauca (Spain)
Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Theodosius I was Valens in the east and Valentinian II in the west
Family connections / Genealogy
Name of Father: Count Theodosius the Elder
Name of Mother: Thermantia
Married: Aelia Flaccilla and then Galla, daughter of Valentinian I
Children: Arcadius, Honorius and Pulcheria by his first wife and Galla Placidia by his second wife
Place and Date of Death: Died 17 January 395 in Milan
His successors were: Arcadius in the east and Honorius in the west
For the names of the next Roman emperors in the East and the West of the Empire refer to the Timeline of Roman Emperors
Interesting facts about the life of Theodosius I
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I from the following facts and information about his life. Why was Theodosius I famous? Accomplishments, achievements and important events. Gratian was defeated and put to death, A.D. 383, by a usurper, Maximus, who also deprived Valentinian II. of his province of Italy. Theodosius, however, defeated the usurper in A.D. 388, and restored Valentinian II to his throne. Valentinian was murdered by a Frank called Arbogastes, in A.D. 392, but Theodosius marched against him, and defeated and destroyed the rebels Arbogastes and Eugenius, A.D. 394. These actions left Theodosius as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Theodosius the Great, who had thus reunited the empire under his own sway, belonged to the orthodox faith, and sought to suppress Arianism, as well as many other heresies which, had crept into the Christian Church. He was a prudent ruler, and resisted successfully the inroads of the barbarians. He divided his empire between his two sons, Honorius and Arcadius, the former becoming Emperor of the West, the latter, who was the elder, succeeding his father at Constantinople. Theodosius died of dropsy on Jan. 17th, 395 AD in Milan.
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Map of the Roman Empire c395AD illustrating the power of the Emperor