Theodosius I

Predecessor
 Spouse
 Father
 Religion

**Theodosius I** (11 January 1166 – 4 April 1229), also known as **Theodosius the Pious**, was Roman emperor from 1211 to 1229.

## Early life

He was born *Julius Paulus Theodosius* in Mogarissos, a village in Cappadocia, to a farming family that while not poor, was far from wealthy. Theodosius' parents Proheresius and Eulogia were both very pious, and his mother later became a nun. The piety of his family is partially represented by his name, Theodosius, which is the Latinized form of the Greek "Θεοδόσιος", *Theodosios*, which means "given by god". In his youth he was said to be endowed with a beautiful voice, which he used when reading and singing verses at church. Even from a young age, Theodosius prayed fervently for guidance, both in life and to salvation.

Several legends exist about his youth with varying levels of historicity. In one, straight out of the life of Alexander the Great, he tamed a wild horse. The horse from the high pastures of Cappadocia, like most Cappadocian horses was swift, brave, and yet to be broken. While mounting the horse Theodosius seemed in peril of being thrown off, his mother thought he was going to die, but somehow he hung on. In another tale he is said to have slew a lion that was threatening local livestock.

Around the age of 20, for unknown reasons, Theodosius decided to join the military. He made his way to Antioch where he would become an officer.

Along his way to Antioch he went to see Saint Symeon the Stylite, to ask for his blessing. Arriving at the pillar of Saint Symeon he was miraculously greeted by name, Symeon having had no way of knowing his name beforehand, and was invited to ascend the pillar. Theodosius climbed the pillar and fell at the Saint's feet, prostating himself before Symeon, who not only gave him his blessing, but also prophesied a great glory for the young Theodosius. According to the traditional narrative, Symeon embraced him saying, "You will be the shepherd of souls of a large flock of sheep that you will save from the wickedness of a Wolf."

### Early Career

Not too much is known about his early career. He seems to have first served as a tribune in Legio I Parthica, and much later be given command of Legio IV Scythica.

During the Roman Sassanian War of 1193 after the commander Anatolius was killed, Theodosius took impromptu command of the East, and defeated the Sassanids several times. This culminated in a victory over the Persian army at the Battle of Chale (also called the Battle of Kalhu), after which his troops hailed him as imperator. Emperor Aetius, busy dealing with events in the west, needing someone to take over for in the east, and always recognizing talent, appointed him Governor of Babylonia in the year 1200 for a five year term.

## Anno Chao and ascent as to emperor

### Outbreak and declaration as emperor

Upon the arrival of the news of Gaudentius’ death, most of the eastern governors, all men who were loyal to Aetius, quickly declared support for the late emperor’s brother Pelagius. Theodosius however, now championing the Antiochene School of Christianity, refused to give support to the son of Aetius, who in the Council of Mediolanum rebuked Nestorianism and the School of Antioch, or Heraclius, a pagan. Furthermore he was reportedly visited by an Angel. The Angel bestowed to him a sword, and told him with it to bring peace to the world. This all, in combination with the prophecy told to him by Symeon, seems to have led to Theodosius deciding to raise himself as Emperor.

Sixtus, Philadelphus, and Probus the governors of Cappadocia, Syria Coele, and Mesopotamia respectively, non-Christians with loyalty to Pelagius, were quick to move against Theodosius. The three gathered their armies outside of Edessa, their force including the legions: I Pontica, I Isauria, II Isauria, XV Apollinaris, and XII Fulminata; they planned to march on Babylonia Aureliana and quickly dispose of Theodosius. However while waiting to for troops from the south the three Pelagians were overthrown in a mutiny. The officers Marcian, Julianus, and Proculus organized a clique of fellow officers and soldiers in the legions and staged a mutiny. Sixtus and Probus were executed, but Philadelphus escaped and fled. Marcian, the leader of the mutiny and now de facto leader of half of the eastern legions, announced support for Theodosius.

As a consequence of this, Theodosius found himself both in Marcian’s debt and in trepidation of him, given that large swaths of what was now his armies were loyal to Marcian. As a result, a number of Marcian's allies, and his brothers Romulus and Procopius, were placed by Marcian in key positions. Julianus was given the title Dux Syriae and made the new governor of Syria Coele and Syria Phoenice. Proculus was made governor of Cicilia, being given a small force to go and overthrow the Pelagian governor Tertius. And Marcian was made the Dux Anatoliae, being sent west to secure Anatolia, the regional governors of whom mostly surrendered to him. All three of these men were given an unprecedented level of autonomy.

Across the Dardanelles Valentinus, who had recently seized control of Greece and Macedonia, also gave his support over to Theodosius’ side.

### War with the Sassanids

*Main Article: Theodosius' Persian War*

Theodosius’ next move came to the surprise of everyone. Rather than moving west to take control of the rest of the empire he moved east against the Sassanids. The exact reason for this decision is not known, but historians have managed to piece an idea of why together. Sassanian monarch Yazdegerd II had begun a crackdown on Christians in the east, and overthrown the Roman client king of Armenia. Across the Caucasus region churches were demolished, fire-temples built, and Zoroastrian magi were sent, with Persian military backing, to replace clergy and suppress Christianity. That year a mass revolt broke out, led by Vardan Mamikonian, who quickly petitioned west for Roman aid. Theodosius, many consider, had an obsession with prophecy and his destiny, which in his eyes was to be a Shepard, to protect all Christians from the heathens by the sword. According to the historian John of Antioch, Theodosius was once again visited by an Angel who rebuked him for not marching against the heathens to the east. It is also possible Theodosius was worried that a Sassanian attack on the Roman East would follow if the Armenian revolt was defeated.

Whatever the reason Theodosius began preparing for his campaign in Persia, assembling his army around Ninive. Upon receiving reports of the gathering Roman forces the Persian army under Mihr Narseh abandoned its march north to Armenia and turned to meet Theodosius’ forces. On 10 June 1204 the two armies met near the city of Arbela, and, at the Battle of Arbela, Theodosius won decisively.

What remained of the Sassanid army fled over the mountains into Atropatene. The Theodosian forces split into two. Marcian took one half through Adiabene executing a pincer movement with the allied Roman-Armenian army under Acacius and Varda that trapped the remnants of the Sassanid army in Atropatene.

Theodosius personally led the other half of his army south and invaded Susiana, capturing Susa on 4 September 1204. Following in the footsteps of Alexander, after taking Susa Theodosius crossed through the Zagros at the Persian Gates into the Persian heartland. The Sassanid capital, Istakhr, fell on 1 March 1205 after a brutal six month siege. With Persia at his feet Theodosius spent the next few months looting cities and establishing client kingdoms throughout western Persia. During this period he met the Persian noblewoman Kurdiyah, who is said to have fallen in love with. They married on 13 April 1205.

After capturing the city of Yazd, Theodosius began to consider whether to end his Persian adventure. According to the historian Hydatius, Theodosius' two best friends both petitioned Theodosius, one to turn west and the other east. Tuscianus begged Theodosius to turn back and return to take control of Rome. Whereas Acacius, ever the easterner, spoke that Theodosius could fashion himself the next Alexander, and carve out a new empire in the east. Theodosius seems to have considered this question for some time. Some, not very historical, sources say he was visited again by Angels that convinced him to return and liberate Rome from pagans. Reluctantly, Theodosius decided to return west. He signed the Peace of Yazd with the Sassanids on 3 January 1206, installing the Christian Sassanid Caoses or Kavus on the Persian throne, and began the march back to Babylonia.

### Council of Antioch

*Main Article: Council of Antioch*

Theodosius summoned the Council of Antioch which declared that Jesus had two "natures": divine and human. It revoked the verdicts of the Second Council of Ephesus, and in doing declared Miaphysitism and Monophysitism to be heresy and that Nestorianism would no longer be considered heresy. This formed the foundation of Antiochene Christianity.

The council also caused a divide between Theodosius and his Armenian allies eventually leading to a brief war in which Theodosius invaded his former allies. After suffering a non-decisive defeat to the Armenians the war ended in compromise with Theodosius establishing the Kingdom of Armenia Minor and agreeing to respect Armenia's religious autonomy.

## Later years and Death

After falling ill of an unknown ailment in 1222 Theodosius spent his last years in poor health leaving the administration of the empire to his subordinates. Before his death, Theodosius summoned to him those closest to him Acacius, Marcian, and his nephew Theodore revealed to them that he would soon depart to the Lord.