Theodosius the Great (379 - 395)
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- čas přidán 27. 02. 2021
- Theodosius saves Rome from the Goths and unifies the empire for the last time, setting dangerous precedents in the process.
Songs Used
Cylinder Nine - Chris Zabriskie
Coriolan Overture - Ludwig van Beethoven
Ancient Sources
Zosimus
Hydatius
Modern Sources
Gibbon, Edward, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Online Sources
Wikipedia.org
Loeb Classical Library
Perseus Tufts Library
Livius.org
#history #rome #thucydides
Based and Christpilled
Do you have any criticisms about Theodosius I?
@@causantinthescot dying early, Thessalonica
Dude wasn't perfect but hey no emperor was
@@be2081 Frigidus Battle
@@causantinthescot based destruction of paganism
But le western troops
Theodosius actually spared the survivors and the east Didn't loose as much as they could have because he outplayed the Goths
@@be2081 If he didn't die early, the damage which he had done in the Frigidus ( only because of resentment of Gothic troops and dead Western troops) would be healed as well, given that he was a very capable emperor that had stabilized the Balkans and Syria.
Hallelujah
Roman history is just amazing to see,i would love to see the rest of the Roman emperors before the fall of western empire
Never knew how violent envelopes could be
ngl the ruling emperor giving the emperor rank to everyone like it was a discord mod position
Awesome content, man. You've got the full package - excellent narration, appealing graphics and accurate information. I can tell that your channel is going to blow up soon.
Well done! Love Roman history!
Great content quality, narration, great voice, eloquence. Congratulations!
He left out the most significant and lasting aspect of Theodosius' reign. The Edict of Thessalonica in 380 AD. He along with the other emperors started the Catholic Church by law. They made their own version of Nicene Christianity the one an only official state religion. He mentioned Ambrose demanding he repent, and "this showed just how powerful the Christian faith had become within Rome, a bishop was giving orders". The bishops were high ranking government officials of the state religion. They had more power and authority than even the Senators did. Their function was to use the religion to unify Rome behind the emperors. No one knows for sure exactly why it happened but I strongly suspect it was a ploy to avoid public backlash and loose the popular support of more Romans. It also helped clear away the stain on the Roman Catholic church which he himself had started and ruled over. His religion and Trinity God became the largest religion in the world and is still with us today.
Great video. I enjoy your work.
Very nice work and great timing for me, personally. I just received and cleaned a Roman Coin revealing Theodosius. He's depicted on the reverse dragging a captive by the hair, and displaying a labarum. One of the great contradictions in the rulers of this time.
Really appreciate that you include sources
*two years later* but a reason why the British were revolting is also because when Emperor Gratian removed his court from Italy, it was recorded that the British were exporting grain there. And also likely many other goods which of course helped their economy. When this stopped this gave light to a rebellion and eventually Maximus short reign. Great video thought and nice narration! I’m glad to see you keep making videos. Definitely will subscribe.
Any good book recommendations?
Very good. Continue.
beautifull content
I liked it when the envelopes fought.
theodosius and his sons where a curse for rome
Theodosius was a Chad
If only he had time to raise his son as a proper emperor the empire today would still be alive
He’s dead? Well at least he appointed Stilicho as his intended heir right?…..Right?!
*oh Deus help us*
Are you calling upon another god? How could...Oh wait, that's Latin for God. My mistake!
Germs can't be emperors
Do you watch Historia Civilis? love the content btw
He’s subbed to him so yes he does
YEP
Tbh I think he deserves the epithet “The Good” rather than the The Great. He was definitely an underrated emperor. Sup
Some say he was overrated. There is a lot of controversy surrounding him. At first I was taken in by the negative arguments of him but then I thought I should formulate my own opinion on him.
Yeah, while not great he certainly isn’t a bad emperor.
Theodosius I reminds me Michael VIII Palaiologos a lot. Both helped the declining empire a lot, but causing some harm to it. There is a tier list about Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine XI. If I have to rate them, I will put Michael VIII above Theodosius( I mean, at the mid-high b tier), for doing exactly the same thing that Theodosius I had did.
Theodosius didn't deserve the Great title. Instead, I may call him Bonum ( Latin word of Good) instead. So, Theodosius I Magnus? More like Theodosius I Bonum. He was a Brad ( A man who is close to be a chad) instead of a virgin (bad) emperor like Dovahatty.( Just kidding, dovahatty stated that most of his content for dark humor purposes)
My name is Brad and I am a direct descendant of The Great and on behalf of me and my line id politely like to say fuck off.
I like the Bonum idea. However it’s hard to translate because in many languages ‘good’ and ‘kind’ are synonyms.
Thankful for your video presentation. Theodosius had many victories and some glory. He did many great things. He's truly the Great. One thing all should be aware of is that there Roman farming system had declined since the 2nd Triumvirate ! Without the farming culture you do not have the populace from classes plebs and also patricians in the countryside mass producing food and having large families who were disposed to military services in the Roman Legions. Roman Population was not was like the late Republic. Of course in hindsight there are some things he could of done better (like us all). He did try to be sensitive to the Goths though and tried to show them some favor and security. But Romanization was a difficult process it seems.
I'm a year late but Theo was not great but terrible.
Instead of integrating the goths he let the entire tribe settle with their own army and customs. He then used them as cannon fodder which enden with the goths sacking Rome.
The battle of frigidus stripped the West of soldiers on the rhine which made it easy for the Vandals and Suebi to through and capture North Africa which sealed the fate of the west.
Paganism was already dying in the empire and instead of letting Christianity peacefully convert he outlawed paganism which was disasterous considering it was still the biggest religion in the empire.
and my last point is his two USELESS sons which he made rulers of the empires.
I'm sorry but Theodosius is the most overrated emperors and does not deserve the title "Great" like Constantine.
I just wish Julian had survived and had a long reign.
I mean his ideals of paganism were pretty dumb considering it was clear that Christianity was clearly on the rise and there was no going back.
@@QueenCece6 oh no. It could have been massively halted. A line of strong anti Christian emperors would have been possible had he lived.
@@Insectoid_ wouldn't that cause some instability
Christ is King!
@@Insectoid_hmmm its bit too late for that too happen at that time of Emperor Julian Reign large population of Roman Empire is already Christians both Lower & Upper Ranks already aswell in the Military are Predominantly Christians also in the Same time large numbers of Germanic Tribes( Goths,Vandals,Alans,Burgundians) that are living near the Borders of Roman Empire are largely Converting to Arian Christianity persecuting the Large Christian Population will lead to his Downfall or his Pagan Successor thats why he never do the Persecution of Christian in his Reign he limited his Action in giving Religious Freedom & Secularizing and Limit the Religious influence of the Christians in the matters of State Affairs just look his Successor Emperor Valentinian I his a Christian but in his Reign he never Forced Conversation in his Faith he never allowed any influence of the Christian Church in state of Affairs "Julian The Apostate" somehow influence Valentinian I how to Govern the Empire & deal in Religious things if just Valentinian I lived longer The Roman Empire maybe become a Secularized Christian Empire and possibly Teach & Influence his Successors Gratians,Valentinians II and prevent the Disaster of Adrianople thereby saving his Co-Emperor & Brother Valens I.
Wondering whats the geopolitical secret that keep spain separated? Before romans it was citystate country after rome it returned to citystates again. During napoleon it was still citystate mentality iver there. How are they united today? How do eu keep andalus and baskia in check?
👍👍👍
When pagans start insulting and mocking an emperor; You know that Emperor is good.
Theodosius: i'll just use those goths as cannon fodder, what are they going to do about it? sack Rome? hahaha!
Terrible tragedy the Emperor passed away so young under 50 years of age
Had he lived another 20 years like Constantine perhaps Alaric would never have sacked Rome in 410 AD ?
Excellent Film 2010 Restless Heart about Saint Augustine shows Bishop Ambrose
but alas makes no reference to Emperor Theodosius only child Emperor Valentinian II
The reason Alaric sacked Rome In A.D. 410 was that Honorius and his advisers ordered the execution of gothic troops families after pledging their loyalty to Stilicho who was then executed for “treason”. Alaric was planning to invade Italy and had the reason to do so after gothic troops refused to surrender to Honorius. They joined Alaric’s campaign to sack Rome or Revenna.
I see your argument is pro-Theodosius whilst that of username Maiorianus was anti-Theodosius. But isn't that the great thing about nerds where we can enjoy history without agreeing on everything?
i have theodosius coin
Finally some respect to that overhated guy
didnt he split the empire into western and eastern halves?
Everyone did it at that time
Diocletian split it, Constantine united it
Constantine split it, Constantius united it
Valentinian split it, Theodosius united it
Theodosius split it, but Stillicho failed to unite it
The idea of sharing territory to micro-manage started during Marcus Aurelius reign with Lucius Verus. Marcus didn’t want to campaign like his co-emperor did. That was more of a forced thing since Lucius Verus was also an adopted son of Antoninus and his father was Caesar before dying under Hadrian. The real beginning of dividing the empire started under Gallienus and Valerian. Adding also the breakaway states under Postumus and Odaenathus. Diocletian formally established the split of East and West and even smaller regions to his co-emperor Maximian. The Caesars Galerius and Constantius would rule smaller regions of the empire. The tetrarchy was the idea of splitting the empire into 4 divisions. Constantine, son of Constantius I established rule in the East after consolidating power with the other tetrarchs and reestablished the city of Byzantium and renamed the city Nova Roma, which everyone called Constantinople. From A.D. 337 till 476, almost every emperor established a co-Emperor under their own dynasty. Theodosius I was the last to end his reign as sole emperor of the entire empire..
I hate this Emperor a LOT. And you can probably tell why.
Theodosius and the theodosians are the sum of the empire
Constantine was not a Christian (a loose term in 312 A.D.). He put off his own baptism until he was on his deathbed; parading the head of one's enemy wasn't exactly Christ-like.
Great video. Likely the least deserving of the epithet "the Great" IMO.
Bri-un 😅
Can someone explain to me for the reason why Rome brought in barbarians into the army.cuz there loyalty will only be for money not for the empire. Which is not only expensive but also rebellion will also be more common.
To me this doesn’t make any sense
There was simply no way they could sustain paying and training their own regular soldiers anymore, at least in the west. Recruitment became incredibly difficult and the financial insolvency of the imperial regime necessitated corner cutting with everything. These federate barbarians were not necessarily paid in currency, but rather in land and resettlement agreements, which were things that the western empire could still claim to offer despite its sad economic state.
@@thucydideschannel ohhh thanks make sense
@@thucydideschannel Why was recruitment difficult in the west?
Because no one self respecting human would abandon their current life for a military one, especially since the currency was worthless
@@andreascovano7742 Many reasons that could have been easily prevented but many Emperors uses shortcuts to solve long-term problems
1) Coins had become so debased that a bronze coin was worth less than the shit I took this morning. This was because Emperor Septimius Severus had debased Roman currency so he could triple the pay of the legions. For then on, many Emperors would do the same to the currency to the point coins were borderline useless.
2) Emperor Caracalla had every male in each province official Roman citizens so they can pay taxes. This was an suicidally stupid move since many recurits within the legions were non-citizens and only joined the army so they can be granted citizenship after their years of service. What's the point of joining the army when you're already a citizen.
3) Plundering and looting of foreign lands for gold had become obsolete because Rome was becoming more defensive rather than conquering new lands.
4) Rome had to pay German mercs and have them fight for Roman interest. Many Roman men hated the idea of working alongside German soldiers so they straight up refused to fight by avoiding drafts altogether.
Basically, the Roman military was fucked.
"Mum, can we have Historia Civilis."
"We have Historia Civilis at home."
Historia Civilis at home:
Theodosius "The Not-so Great". He created the precedent for full-barbarization of the Roman Army, sowed the seeds of resentment with Alaric which would lead to the first sacking of Rome in more than 1000 years, and destroyed the Western Empire's Army at the Battle of Friggidus, a loss of men that the Western Roman Empire never fully recovered from. Yeah, "Not-so-Great".
Source? dovahatty
@@rufst Mike Duncan, CZcamsr Meiorianus, el al.
He was not the last ruler of a unified rome. After the fall of rome(the original) in 476 odoacer's first action was sending an embassy with the imperial insignia to emperor Zeno which meant the eastern and western Roman empires were again unified. What this means and why Odoacer did this still remains one of history's greatest enigmas and a subject of controvery among historians to this day.
what? I was the last time the east and west were controlled by the same man. not by two different men.
@@theodosiusthegreatest Salve !
Technically, Theodosius II was the ruler of the east and west for a few years when he delayed naming a successor to Honorius, but everyone was hassling him to appoint a western emperor.
@@histguy101 : Interesting point. Of course Justinian the Great would bring the West partially under himself.
Bottom tier emperor, not because Christianity, but starting a pointless civil war
Not a fan of Theodosius
1- Allowing goths to essentally tun their own kingdoms in roman soil
2- Battle of the fridgidus river (Unnecesary)
3- Pagan persecutions aswell as persecutions on other forms of christianity (Arrianism is the big one)
I love the work but I hate how theodocius is called the great, he won a few civil wars and then died leaving the empire in the hands of two of the worst emperors rome would ever see
Sort of ironic how many great emperors left weak sons to take their place.
Commodus and Marcus Aurelius, for example.
@@shadow-monger5189 it really does suck but most of the sons of “great emperors” were spoiled and arrogant
He in his own right was great but his sons were terrible, like the previous comments mentions of Aurelius and Commudus, the empire was falling apart and fast, his actions allowed it to barely stay alive (until his sons of course) plus he was a good general
@@danix4883 the only notable campaign he took part in while emperor was against the goths which was worthy but his battle at the frigidus river turned the goths against rome and incited Alaric to revolt and attack rome
Not Great :D
when Christ cuckry finally wan
Lmao
Pagans burn in hell for eternity remember that
Theodosius was not great, but more like one of the worst emperors ever and responsible for the end of Rome within less than one century. He empowered intolerant religious fanatics, deceived and pissed his gothic allies in the Battle of the Frigidus, left the empire in disorder to insane christian zealots and his totally incompetent sons. Rome could never recover again from his faults.