Theodosius the Elder

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a Spaniard by birth and a skillful Roman general; was sent to Britain in A. D. 367 to repel the inroads of the Caledonians and restore order to the diocese. He made London his headquarters, and was so successful in his undertakings that he formed the country between Hadrian's Wall and the Forth and Clyde into a new province of the empire, called Valentia in honor of the reigning emperors. After a victorious campaign on the Upper Danube against the Alemanni he quelled formidable revolt in Africa under a Firmus the Moor, and was executed at Carthage in 376 on some unknown and probably groundless charge. THEODOSIUS I., THE GREAT, son of Theodosius the Elder; one of the most notable and most capable of the later Roman emperors; born in Cauca, Spain, about 346; served under his father in Britain, Germany, and Africa, and won fame as a general by his exploits in Mœsia. On his father's death he retired THEODOSIUS I., THE GREAT to his native farm, whence he was summoned by Gratian to become his colleague in the purple and emperor in the East (379). It was a critical time. The Goths, too numerous and formidable to be attacked en masse, flushed, too, with their recent Cannæ like victory at Adrianople and the total defeat of his predecessor Valens, were roaming the country at will. His military reputation was equal to the strain. He made Thessalonica his headquarters, and within four years broke up the vast Gothic army, attached many of its members to the empire as faithful soldiers and allies, and restored tranquillity to the troubled country S. of the Danube. A serious illness in 380 led to his baptism as a Trinitarian, and, as a consequence, to the restoration of the religious unity of the empire and the promulgation of various edicts against Arianism and other heresies. He appointed Gregory Nazianzen Archbishop of Constantinople, and summoned the second general council, which met there (381) to supplement the labors of Nicea. The murder of Gratian at Lyons, the advance toward Italy of the upstart Maximus proclaimed emhis industry in copying manuscripts. peror in Britain, and the arrival of Va- THEODORUS I., Pope, succeeded lentinian II. (with his mother Justina and his sister Galla) begging for help led to Theodosius' marriage with Galla, to his victory at Aquileia (388), and to the restoration of his youthful colleague. Hereafter for some years Theodosius lived at Milan enjoying the friendship and respect of its bishop St. Ambrose. Theodosius was able, just, even generous, virtuous, and religious, but inclined to indolence and of a passionate temper. He had canceled, on the entreaties of its bishop and the penitence and humiliation of its leading citizens, ns, the severe measures meted out to Antioch after a riot (387) in which the imperial statues had been contemptuously overthrown; but in 390, when the governor of Thessalonica was lynched by a circus mob for his punishment of a brutal but favorite charioteer, Theodosius, in spite of expostulations, ordered the people of the city to be invited into the circus and there massacred. At least 7,000 were thus put to death. Thereupon Ambrose wrote to Theodosius upbraiding him for the deed, and later withstood his attempt to enter the church at Milan. The bishop only readmitted the emperor to the sacrament after eight months' retirement and public penance performed in the face of the whole congregation. In 392 Valentinian II. was murdered and in 394 Theodosius, then at Constantinople, again marched W., this time against the Frankish general Arbogast and his puppet, Emperor THEODOSIUS I., THE GREAT Eugenius. After a stubborn fight at the Frigidus river, lasting two days, Theodosius gained a complete victory, and for four months ruled as sole Roman emperor. He expired in the arms of Ambrose on Jan. 17, 395. Almost immediately thereafter followed the barbarian invasions of Greece and Italy, which led directly to the subsequent Teutonic settlements in the S. and indirectly to the formation of the kingdoms of modern Europe. THEODOSIUS II., son of Arcadius, and grandson of Theodosius I.; succeeded his father in 408, in the Empire of the East. The government was carried on, during the greater part of his reign, by his sister Pulcheria. In his reign was compiled and published the celebrated code of laws, styled after him the "Theodosian Code." He died in 450. THEODOSIUS III., Emperor of Constantinople; nominated in succession to Anastasius II., 716. After a reign of two years he abdicated in favor of Leo III. THEOGNIS OF MEGARA (the-og'nis), a Greek elegiac poet; flourished in the latter half of the 6th century B. C. There are 1,389 verses preserved under his name, of importance in enabling us to understand the state of parties and the problems of society in the Greece of that time.