Theodosius Flavius

, a Roman emperor surnamed Magnus , from the greatne of his exploits. He was invested with the imperial purple by Gratian, and appointed over Thrace and the eastern provinces, which had been in the po e ion of Val ent in i an. The first years of his reign were marked by different conquests over the barbarians. The Goths were defeated in Thrace, and 4000 of their chariots, with an immense number of prisoners of both sexes, were the reward of the victory. This glorious campaign intimidated the inveterate enemies of Rome; they sued for peace, and treaties of alliance were made with distant nations, who wished to gain the favours and the friendship of a prince whose military virtues were so conspicuous. Some conspiracies were formed against the emperor, but Theodosius totally disregarded them; and while he punished his competitors for the imperial purple, he thought himself sufficiently secure in the love and the affection of his subjects. His reception at Rome was that of a conqueror; he triumphed over the barbarians, and restored peace in every part of the empire. He died of a dropsy at Milan, in the 60th year of his age, after a reign of 16 years, the 17th of January, A.D. 395. His body was conveyed to Constantinople, and buried by his son Arcadius, in the tomb of Const an tine. Theodosius was the last of the emperors who was the sole master of the whole Roman empire. He left three children, Arcadius and Honor i us, who succeeded him, and Pulcheria. Theodosius has been commended by ancient writers, as a prince ble ed with every virtue, and debased by no vicious propensity. Though master of the world, he was a stranger to that pride and arrogance which too often disgrace the monarch; he was affable in his behaviour, benevolent and compa ionate, and it was his wish to treat his subjects as himself was treated when a private man and a ♦ dependent. Men of merit were promoted to places of trust and honour, and the emperor was fond of patronizing the cause of virtue and learning. His zeal as a follower of christianity has been applauded by all the ecclesiastical writers, and it was the wish of Theodosius to support the revealed religion, as much by his example, meekne , and christian charity, as by his edicts and ecclesiastical institutions. His want of clemency, however, in one instance, was too openly betrayed, and when the people of The alonica had unmeaningly, perhaps, killed one of his officers, the emperor ordered his soldiers to put all the inhabitants to the sword, and no le than 6000 persons, without distinction of rank, age, or sex, were cruelly butchered in that town in the space of three hours. This violence irritated the ecclesiastics, and Theodosius was compelled by St.  Ambrose to do open penance in the church, and publicly to make atonement for an act of barbarity which had excluded him from the bosom of the church, and the communion of the faithful. In his private character Theodosius was an example of soberne and temperance; his palace displayed becoming grandeur, but still with moderation. He never indulged in luxury, or countenanced superfluities. He was fond of bodily exercise, and never gave himself up to pleasure and enervating enjoyments. The laws and regulations which he introduced in the Roman empire, were of the most salutary nature. So crates of Constantinople , bk. 5 , . — Zosimus , bk. 4 , . — Ambrose. — Augustine. — Claudian , . ♦ ‘dependant’ replaced with ‘dependent’ Theodosius II. , succeeded his father Arcadius as emperor of the western Roman empire, though only in the eighth year of his age. He was governed by his sister Pulcheria, and by his ministers and eunuchs, in whose hands was the disposal of the offices of state, and all places of trust and honour. He married Eudoxia, the daughter of a philosopher called Leontius, a woman remarkable for her virtues and piety. The territories of Theodosius were invaded by the Persians, but the emperor soon appeared at the head of a numerous force, and the two hostile armies met on the frontiers of the empire. The consternation was universal on both sides; without even a battle, the Persians fled, and no le than 100,000 were lost in the waters of the Euphrates. Theodosius raised the siege of Nisibis, where his operations failed of succe , and he averted the fury of the Huns and Vandals by bribes and promises. He died on the 29th of July, in the 49th year of his age, A.D. 450, leaving only one daughter, Licinia Eudoxia, whom he married to the emperor Val ent in i an  III. The carele ne and inattention of Theodosius to public affairs are well known. He signed all the papers that were brought to him without even opening them or reading them, till his sister apprised him of his negligence, and rendered him more careful and diligent, by making him sign a paper, in which he delivered into her hand, Eudoxia his wife as a slave and menial servant. The laws and regulations which were promulgated under him, and selected from the most useful and salutary institutions of his imperial predece ors, have been called the Theodosian code . Theodosius was a warm advocate for the christian religion, but he has been blamed for his partial attachment to those who opposed the orthodox faith. Sozomen. — So crates , .