Theodosius I
The last man to rule a united Rome, he used imperial power to cement Christianity as the state religion.
Born 347 (age 1679)·Roman emperor from 379 to 395·Birthday: January 11
Biography
Theodosius I ascended to the throne in 379 AD, inheriting an empire fractured by military disaster and religious strife. A capable and ruthless general, he stabilized the frontiers, notably settling the Goths within the empire's borders—a pragmatic but fateful decision that planted seeds for future turmoil. His most enduring legacy, however, was theological. In the wake of fierce debates over the nature of Christ, Theodosius threw the full weight of the state behind the Nicene version of Christianity, outlawing pagan practices and Arian heresy. Through a series of edicts, he effectively made orthodox Christianity the official religion of the Roman world, forging an alliance between church and state that would define European history for a millennium. When he died in 395, the empire was split between his two sons, an administrative division that became permanent.
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Theodosius's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
347Born
352Started school
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365Could vote
368Turned 21
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417Turned 70
427Turned 80
2026Age 1679 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Issued the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 AD, establishing Nicene Christianity as the official state religion of the Roman Empire.
- Was the last emperor to personally rule both the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire before its permanent division.
- Concluded the Gothic War, integrating Goths as autonomous allies within the empire's military structure.
- Convened the First Council of Constantinople in 381, which finalized the Nicene Creed.
Did You Know?
He was baptized while seriously ill, a common practice at the time to cleanse sins before potential death.
After ordering a massacre in Thessalonica, he was forced by Bishop Ambrose of Milan to perform public penance, establishing a precedent for church authority over secular rulers.
His daughter, Galla Placidia, became a powerful empress and regent in the Western Roman Empire.
The great obelisk in the Hippodrome of Constantinople was erected by him.
“The edict of Thessalonica commands all peoples to follow the faith which Saint Peter delivered to the Romans.”
