Emperor Theodosius (379-95) was the last Roman emperor to rule a unified empire of East and West and his reign represents a turning point in the policies and fortunes of the Late Roman Empire. In this imperial biography, Stephen Williams and Gerry Friell bring together literary, archaeological and numismatic evidence concerning this Roman emperor, studying his military and political struggles, which he fought heroically but ultimately in vain. Summoned from retirement to the throne after the disastrous Roman defeat by the Goths at Adrianople, Theodosius was called on to rebuild the armies and put the shattered state back together. He instituted a new policy towards the barbarians, in which diplomacy played a larger role than military might, at a time of increasing frontier dangers and acute manpower shortage. He was also the founder of the established Apostolic Catholic Church. Unlike other Christian emperors, he suppressed both heresy and paganism and enforced orthodoxy by law. The path was a diffucult one, but Theodosius (and his successor, Stilicho) had little choice. This new study convincingly demonstrates how a series of political misfortunes led to the separation of the Eastern and Western empires which meant that the overlordship of Rome in Europe dwindled into mere ceremonial. The authors examine the emperor and his character and the state of the Roman empire, putting his reign in the context of the troubled times.

Theodosius II (AD 408–450) was the longest reigning Roman emperor. Ever since Edward Gibbon, he has been dismissed as mediocre and ineffectual. Yet Theodosius ruled an empire which retained its integrity while the West was broken up by barbarian invasions. This book explores Theodosius' challenges and successes. Ten essays by leading scholars of late antiquity provide important new insights into the court at Constantinople, the literary and cultural vitality of the reign, and the presentation of imperial piety and power. Much attention has been directed towards the changes promoted by Constantine at the beginning of the fourth century; much less to their crystallisation under Theodosius II. This volume explores the working out of new conceptions of the Roman Empire - its history, its rulers and its God. A substantial introduction offers a new framework for thinking afresh about the long transition from the classical world to Byzantium.

The emperor Theodosius I (AD 379–395) was one of the most remarkable figures of the late antique period. In the face of religious schism, political turmoil, and barbarian threats he managed to maintain imperial power and forge a political dynasty that would dominate both east and west for over half a century. This study, the first English language biography in over twenty years, traces his rise to power and tumultuous reign, and examines his indelible impact on a rapidly changing empire.

Emperor Theodosius (379-95) was the last Roman emperor to rule a unified empire of East and West and his reign represents a turning point in the policies and fortunes of the Late Roman Empire. In this imperial biography, Stephen Williams and Gerry Friell bring together literary, archaeological and numismatic evidence concerning this Roman emperor, studying his military and political struggles, which he fought heroically but ultimately in vain. Summoned from retirement to the throne after the disastrous Roman defeat by the Goths at Adrianople, Theodosius was called on to rebuild the armies and put the shattered state back together. He instituted a new policy towards the barbarians, in which diplomacy played a larger role than military might, at a time of increasing frontier dangers and acute manpower shortage. He was also the founder of the established Apostolic Catholic Church. Unlike other Christian emperors, he suppressed both heresy and paganism and enforced orthodoxy by law. The path was a diffucult one, but Theodosius (and his successor, Stilicho) had little choice. This new study convincingly demonstrates how a series of political misfortunes led to the separation of the Eastern and Western empires which meant that the overlordship of Rome in Europe dwindled into mere ceremonial. The authors examine the emperor and his character and the state of the Roman empire, putting his reign in the context of the troubled times.

The division of the late Roman Empire into two theoretically cooperating parts by the brothers Valentinian and Valens in 364 deeply influenced many aspects of government in each of the divisions. Although the imperial policies during this well-documented and formative period are generally understood to have been driven by the religious and ideological aims of the emperors, R. Malcolm Errington argues that the emperors were actually much more pragmatic in their decision making than has previously been assumed. The division of responsibilities between the emperors inevitably encouraged separate developments and allowed locally varying and often changing imperial attitudes toward different forms of religious belief. Errington demonstrates that the main stimulus for action in this period nearly always came from below the level of the imperial government, and not from an imperial initiative. Extending the theory of Fergus Millar into the later empire, Errington argues that the emperors were fundamentally reactive to regionally supplied information, as Millar has asserted was the case for the High Empire. Thus, despite significant structural changes, the empire remained broadly traditional in its operations.

Theodosius: kingdom betrayal is a story set on Forecastia; a futuristic planet mixed with a dash of convenience in its simplicity. The inhabitants, Forecastians, live as purely and peacefully as possible. Trust had become so promoted, that none had anticipated the betrayal. The story begins, with a strange weather, which sets the mood in a city called Binty. Two individuals, of whom one is later recognized as the plotter and son of Eleaneos, the King of Forecastiaor at least of the main kingdom of the planet settled at Binty. A few scenes later, once a little bit about the planet is told to us. The action begins, dramatically, whereas the character which would make the object of this first story, Theodosius, had been introduced. However, it is until Sumaoro, who could have been acknowledged as the main character, finds himself assigned the role of antagonist, that we realise. As the betrayal begins, the instants rush, leads the main character to trust his evil and notorious brother, Sumaoro. Unfortunately, a mistake, he then regrets. He quickly realises, that his brother had betrayed him and he begins fleeing. As Theodosius was almost apprehended, his father king Eleaneos, comes to his rescue. The scenes short drama, will lead to the kings death and Theodosiuss escape from the planet. Theodosius, the shy, respectful and admirable son automatically makes of his brother, Sumaoro, an enemy. As we could have anticipated Theodosius to be a young and soft character at first; Sumaoro damaging his plane saves the day. He matures in the ship, of which exiting on his own, had become impossible. The first chapter was rather an introduction to the main mechanism of the story. The next chapter; begins a hundred years later, after the devastating incident had occurred on Forecastia. The new character Jake takes part of the story. The following scenes of the chapter are filled with action, pursuing, and a sequence of deaths caused by a sub-character, Javertson; as Theodosius attempts to regain his planet through NASA. The Forecastian prince, will travel through space with his new companion, Jake. They meet other characters as scenes proceed: Filis the Martian, Gazuma the Jupiterian and Kalabane the Hercolubian prince. All which will play a major role in the books plot and get it to magnificent ends. The next chapters now intensify the romance and everyday society hassles, of course until Theodosius returns to his world, where he is bitterly disappointed and led to the decision which will form the next chapters of the story. As in the last scenes where dark magic, word magic and powers beyond the norms are deployed and hence the book falls to an end, from which a new beginning shall rise. Judgement, betrayal, friendship, war and power; could merely assign a few aspects, of this enthralling novella. Between the fantasy and science fiction intertwined with the tales prose-like fashion. The end has us believe; the story is yet not finished, and has much more to offer.

A fresh look at the vitality and integrity of the eastern Roman Empire under its longest reigning emperor.