Theodosius I : Ask Biography

Theodosius I from the Missorium of Theodosius I

Monarch information

Name

Theodosius I

Reign

19 January 379 � 15 May 392 (emperor in the East;
15 May 392 � 17 January 395 (whole empire)
( )

Full name

Flavius Theodosius (from birth to accession);
Flavius Theodosius Augustus (as emperor)

Buried

Constantinople, Modern Day Istanbul

Predecessor

Valens in the East
Gratian in the West
Valentinian II in the West

Successor

Arcadius in the East;
Honorius in the West

Spouse(s)

1) Aelia Flaccilla (?-385)
2) Galla (?-394)

Offspring

Arcadius
Honorius
Pulcheria
Galla Placidia

Dynasty

Theodosian

Father

Theodosius the Elder

Mother

Thermantia

Home | Royalty | Theodosius I

Theodosius I ( ; 11 January 347 � 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. Theodosius was the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and the western halves of the Roman Empire. During his reign, the Goths secured control of Illyricum after the Gothic War, establishing their homeland south of the Danube within the empire's borders. He also issued decrees that effectively made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire.

He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church as Saint Theodosius. He defeated the usurpers Magnus Maximus and Eugenius and fostered the destruction of some prominent pagan temples: the Serapeum in Alexandria, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, and the Vestal Virgins in Rome. After his death, Theodosius' sons Arcadius and Honorius inherited the East and West halves respectively, and the Roman Empire was never again re-united.