Eudocia Athenais Empress of Eastern Roman Empire

• Preferred Name: Eudocia Athenais Empress of Eastern Roman Empire^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}
  
• Gender: F
  
• Clan Name: with note: Description: Theodosian Dynasty - (by marriage)
  
• Birth: 401 in Athens, Greece at LATI: N7.9758 LONG: E3.7351
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Empress of the Roman EmpireBET 378 AND 386
  
• National Identification: with note: Description: Roman
  
• Religion: Nicene Christianity
  
• Death: 20 OCT 460 in Palestine, Kingdom of Jerusalem at LATI: N1.67 LONG: E5.25
  
• FSID: GX8B-KGL
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aelia_Flaccilla
  
  === Madre de Gala Placida ===
  ..

• m. 7 JUN 421 in Constantinople, Anatolia, Byzantine Empire

1. Licinia Eudoxia Princess of the Eastern Roman Empire, b. 422 in Constantinople, Anatolia, Byzantium     d. 493 in Constantinople, Anatolia, Byzantium

1. Title: Wikipedia - Galla, second wife of Theodosius I
   Publication: Name: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galla_(wife_of_Theodosius_I);
   Note: Flavia Galla (died 394) was an empress of the Roman Empire and a princess of the Western Roman Empire. She was the second empress consort of Theodosius I. She was the daughter of Valentinian I and his second wife Justina. Family Little is known of Galla, including her full name. Galla is the female cognomen for Gallus and, in Latin, gallus could mean both an inhabitant of Gaul and a rooster. Galla is listed as one of four children of the marriage by Jordanes. Her paternal uncle Valens was Emperor of the Eastern Roman Byzantine Empire from 364 to his death in the Battle of Adrianople (9 August 378). Her father was emperor of the Western Roman Empire from 364 to his death on 17 November 375 and was previously married to Marina Severa. The only known child of that marriage was Gratian, Western Roman Emperor from 375 to his assassination on 25 August 383. Her mother was previously married to Magnentius, a Roman usurper from 350 to 353.[1][2] However both Zosimus and the fragmentary chronicle of John of Antioch report that Justina was too young at the time of her first marriage to have children.[3] Galla thus had no known maternal half-siblings. Galla had three full-siblings. Her only brother was Valentinian II, first co-emperor with Gratian from 375 and then the only legitimate Western Roman Emperor from 383 to his death by hanging on 15 May 392. His death was officially reported as a suicide but Arbogast, his magister militum, was suspected to have had a hand in it, an accusation found in the writings of Socrates of Constantinople, Orosius, and Zosimus. Sozomen was less certain and mentioned both versions of how Valentinian II died.[4] Her two sisters were Grata and Justa.[4] According to Socrates, both remained unmarried. They were probably still alive in 392 but not mentioned afterward.[5] Marriage to Theodosius Galla was cast into a role of significance because of conflict between three Roman emperors in the 380s. In 383, Gratian died while facing a major revolt under Magnus Maximus. Maximus proceeded to establish his control of a portion of the Roman Empire including Britain, Gaul, Hispania, and the Diocese of Africa.[6] Ruling from his capital at Augusta Treverorum (Treves, Trier), he was able to negotiate his recognition by Valentinian II and Theodosius I starting in 384. Valentinian II's territory was effectively limited to Italia, ruling from Mediolanum (modern Milan).[4] In 387, the truce between Valentinian II and Maximus ended. Maximus crossed the Alps into the Po Valley and threatened Mediolanum. Valentinian and Justina fled their capital for Thessaloniki, capital of the Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum and at the time the chosen residence of Theodosius. Galla accompanied them. Theodosius was then a widower, his first wife Aelia Flaccilla having died in 385 or 386. T heodosius granted refuge to the fugitives. According to Zosimus's account, Justina arranged for Galla to appear weeping before Theodosius and to appeal for his compassion. Galla was reportedly a beautiful woman and Theodosius was soon smitten and requested to marry her. Justina used this to her advantage, setting a condition for the marriage agreement under which Theodosius would have to attack Maximus and restore Valentinian II to his throne. Theodosius consented to Justina’s condition, the marriage probably taking place in late 387.[7] The account was questioned by Louis-Sébastien de Tillemont as inconsistent with the piety of Theodosius. He suggested that the marriage took place in 386, prior to the beginning of hostilities. On the other hand, Edward Gibbon in his The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire considered Zosimus' account more likely. In Theodoret and Tyrannius Rufinus's accounts, religious ardor fueled Theodosius' decision to start the war, contradicting Zosimus' tale of Galla's involvement. Zosimus' explanation, as well as Theodoret's and Rufinus', has been disputed by modern scholars, who believe Theodosius' march against Maximus and union with Galla to be based on calculations of political gain. The marriage would cement his dynastic alliance to Valentinian II and enable him to control the newly installed Western ruler.[8] Empress When Galla married Theodosius, she became both a Roman empress and a stepmother to Theodosius’ two sons from his first marriage, Arcadius and Honorius. Arcadius was the eldest and had been declared an Augustus in January 383. He served as a nominal co-ruler to his father but was still approximately ten years old at the time of Galla's marriage. In July and August of 388, the combined troops of Theodosius I and Valentinian II invaded the territory of Maximus under the leadership of Richomeres, Arbogast, Promotus, and Timasius. Maximus suffered a series of losses and surrendered in Aquileia. He was executed on 28 August 388 along with his son and nominal co-ruler Flavius Victor. Elen, his wife, and his two daughters were spared. Justina's condition for the marriage had been met, however she died the same year, unable to witness the result of her efforts.[9] Theodosius installed Valentinian and his court at Vienne in Gaul, away from Milan and the influence of Ambrose. Theodosius appointed Arbogast as magister militum for the Western provinces. Acting in the name of Valentinian, Arbogast was actually subordinate only to Theodosius.[10] Theodosius spent the years 388–391 in Italia, while Galla and her stepsons remained in the Great Palace of Constantinople. According to Marcellinus Comes, in 390 Arcadius expelled her from the palace.[5] However, since Arcadius was only thirteen, that decision could as well have belonged to those who governed in his name.[7] Zosimus reports her mourning over the death of her brother in 392.[5] On August 22 of the same year, Arbogast declared Eugenius as an emperor without the approval of Theodosius. Negotiations with Theodosius to achieve recognition were unsuccessful and, on 23 January 393, Theodosius declared his second son Honorius, an Augustus, the implication being that Theodosius alone was legitimate emperor. Conflict between the two emperors began the following year, resulting in the Battle of the Frigidus, on 5–6 September 394. Theodosius was victorious and gained control of the entire Roman Empire while Arbogast committed suicide and Eugenius was executed.[11] Whether Galla lived to see the victory is uncertain. According to Zosimus, she died in childbirth within the same year, the exact date unknown.[7] Tillemont interpreted a passage of Philostorgius to identify Galla as an adherent of Arianism, however the passage actually seems to mean that her mother was Arian. Galla herself is identified as an Arian in the Chronicon Paschale.[7] Children Galla had three children with Theodosius who were: Gratian, a son born in 388 and who died young; Aelia Galla Placidia, a daughter (392–27 November, 450), her only child to survive to adulthood and who later became an empress in her own right. She married Ataulf, king of the Visigoths, and, after his death, Constantius III; John, a son, who died with his mother in childbirth in 394.[12]
   
2. Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy -Valentinian III and daughters Eudoxia and Placidia
   Publication: Name: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#EudoxiaMHunericVandal;
   Note: 1. FLAVIUS CONSTANTIUS (-2 Sep 421). He succeeded 8 Feb 421 as Emperor CONSTANTIUS III. m (1 Jan 417) as her second husband, GALLA PLACIDIA, widow of ATAULF King of the Visigoths, daughter of Emperor THEODOSIUS I & his second wife Galla (-Rome 27 Nov 450). Iordanes records the marriage of "Constantio patricio" and Placidia after the latter was returned to Rome by Walia King of the Visigoths[104]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records the death in 450 of “Valentiniani Imperatoris mater Placidia…apud Romam”[105]. Emperor Constantius & his wife had two children: a) HONORIA ([417/18]-). The Pauli Historiæ Romanæ names "Honoria et Valentiniano" as the children of Placidia Augusta[106]. The order in which the children are named suggests that Honoria was the older child but this is not certain. Iordanes records that Attila unsuccessfully proposed marriage to "Honoriam Valentiniani principis germanam, filiam Placidiæ Augustæ"[107]. b) VALENTINIAN (Ravenna 2 Jul 419-murdered 16 Mar 455). The Chronicle of Marcellinus records the birth "419 V Non Iul" at Ravenna of "Valentinianus iunior…patre Constantio et Placidia matre"[108]. The Pauli Historiæ Romanæ records his birth "VI Non Iul"[109]. Iordanes names "Placidiam" as the mother of "Valentiniani iunioris imperatoris"[110]. Iordanes records that Placidia was created "Augustam" and her son Valentinian "Cæsar" to lead the opposition to Iohannes who invaded the western empire, and that after Iohannes was defeated Valentinian was created joint emperor at Ravenna by his maternal uncle[111]. The Chronicle of Marcellinus also records the event, dating it to 424[112]. He succeeded in 423 as Emperor VALENTINIAN III, jointly with his maternal uncle, Emperor in the West. The Chronicle of Marcellinus records that "Valentinianus iunior" was made emperor at Ravenna in 425[113]. The Chronicon Paschale records that "Valentinianus junior" was named augustus "X Kal Nov" in 425 by "Theodosio juniore Augusto"[114]. Iordanes records that Emperor Valentinian was murdered by Maximus who had invaded the empire[115]. The Chronicon Paschale records that "Valentinianus Augustus" was murdered in 455[116]. m (29 Oct 437) as her first husband, EUDOXIA, daughter of Emperor THEODOSIUS II, Emperor in the East & his wife Eudoxia --- (422-after 462). The Chronicle of Marcellinus records the betrothal in 424 of "Valentinianus cæsar" and "Theodosii imperatoris Eudoxiam filiam"[117]. Ioannes Malalas records the marriage of "Valentinianus iunior…Constantii Imperatoris et Placidiæ magnæ filius" and "Theodosio…filiam Eudoxiam…ex Eudocia Augusta, Philosophi filia"[118]. Theophanes records the marriage of "Valentinianus Gallæ Placidiæ et Constantini filius" and "Eudoxiam Theodosii imperatoris filiam ex Eudocia coniuge" in 426[119]. Iordanes records the marriage of Emperor Valentinian III in the third year of his reign to "Eudoxiam Theodosii principis filiam", specifying that her father transferred Illyria to the western empire as her dowry[120]. The Chronicon Paschale records the marriage "Constantinopolim…XII Kal Nov" in 437 of "Valentinianus junior Augustus" and "Eudoxia filia Theodosii et Eudocæ Augustæ"[121]. She married secondly ([Mar] 455) Emperor Petronius Maximus. After the murder of her first husband, she was forced to marry his successor, but was captured during the Vandal invasion and taken to north Africa with her two daughters[122]. Iordanes records that "Eudoxia Valentiniani uxore" invited "Gizericus…rex Vandalorum" to Rome from Africa, but was taken back to Africa by him with her two daughters[123]. She was freed in 462[124]. Emperor Valentinian & his wife had two children: i) EUDOXIA . The Chronicon Paschale names "Eudociam et Placidiam" as the two daughters of "Valentinianus junior Augustus" and his wife "Eudoxia filia Theodosii et Eudocæ Augustæ"[125]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that Maximus arranged the marriage of “filio suo ex priore coniuge Palladio” and “Valentiniani filiam” in 455[126]. After the death of her father, his successor forced Eudoxia to marry his son, but she was captured by Genseric King of the Vandals during his attack on Rome and taken back to north Africa with her mother and sister[127]. The primary source which records her first marriage has not so far been identified. Procopius names "Eudocia and Placidia" as children of "Eudoxia…and Valentinian", recording that Eudocia was married to Huneric, the older son of Gaiseric, while the other was the wife of Olybrius, a Roman senator[128]. The Victoris Tonnennensis Epsicopi Chronicon records that "Hugnericus" married "Valentiniani filiam" who had been abducted from Rome in captivity[129]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that one daughter of Valentinian married “Gentoni Gaiserici filio” and the other “Olybrio Senatori Urbis Romæ”[130]. m firstly PALADIUS, son of Emperor PETRONIUS MAXIMUS & his first wife --- (-[murdered May 455]). m secondly ([455]) as his second wife, HUNERIC, son of GENSERIC King of the Vandals (-484). ii) PLACIDIA . The Chronicon Paschale names "Eudociam et Placidiam" as the two daughters of "Valentinianus junior Augustus" and his wife "Eudoxia filia Theodosii et Eudocæ Augustæ"[131]. She and her husband were captured by Genseric King of the Vandals during his attack on Rome and taken back to north Africa with her mother and sister, freed in 462[132]. Procopius names "Eudocia and Placidia" as children of "Eudoxia…and Valentinian", recording that Eudocia was married to Huneric, the older son of Gaiseric, while the other was the wife of Olybrius, a Roman senator[133]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that one daughter of Valentinian married “Gentoni Gaiserici filio” and the other “Olybrio Senatori Urbis Romæ”[134]. m (before 455) OLYBRIUS, son of --- (-23 Oct or 2 Nov 472). He succeeded in 472 as Emperor OLYBRIUS.
   
3. Title: Geni
   Publication: Name: https://www.geni.com/people/Flavia-Galla/6000000003645801048?through=6000000006267755295;
   
4. Title: Aelia Eudocia Augusta, "Find A Grave Index"
   Author: "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVLW-9P5Y : 12 May 2022), Aelia Eudocia Augusta, ; Burial, Jerusalem, , Jerusalem District, Israel, Saint Stephen's Basilica; citing record ID 93124861, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
   Publication: Name: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVLW-9P5Y;
   
5. Title: List of Roman and Byzantine Empresses
   Publication: Name: https://thereaderwiki.com/en/List_of_Roman_and_Byzantine_empresses;
   
6. Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
   Publication: Name: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#GallaMTheodosiusI;
   Note: Emperor Valentinian & his second wife, Galla, had four children: b) VALENTINIAN ([Villa Murocincta, near Sirmium] 21 Jan 866 or [2 Jul 371]-15 May 392). Theophanes names "Valentinianum iuniorem" as the son of "Valentinianus senior" and his second wife "Iustinam"[26]. The Chronicon Paschale records the birth "XII Kal Feb" in 366 of "Valentinianus Augustus"[27]. Iordanes names "Valentinianum…Gratam Iustamque et Gallam" as the four children of "Valentinianus senior" & his second wife[28]. He was acclaimed as co-Emperor VALENTINIAN II by the army of the Danube at Aquincum, Pannonia, under the regency of his mother, and was recognised as sole emperor after the death of his half-brother[29]. The Chronicle of Marcellinus records that "Valentinianus Gratiani frater et Theodosius imperatores" defeated the rebel "Maximum tyrannum et Victorem filius eius" at Aquileia in 388[30]. After the death of Valentinian's mother, Emperor Theodosius, emperor in the east, extended his authority to include the empire in the west. Emperor Valentinian was probably assassinated[31]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that “Valentinianus junior” was killed “apud Viennam” in 392 by “Comitis Arbogasti”[32]. c) GRATA . Theophanes names "Iustam, Gratam et Gallam" as the three daughters of "Valentinianus senior" and his second wife "Iustinam"[33]. Iordanes names "Valentinianum…Gratam Iustamque et Gallam" as the four children of "Valentinianus senior" & his second wife[34]. d) IUSTA . Theophanes names "Iustam, Gratam et Gallam" as the three daughters of "Valentinianus senior" and his second wife "Iustinam"[35]. Iordanes names "Valentinianum…Gratam Iustamque et Gallam" as the four children of "Valentinianus senior" & his second wife[36]. e) GALLA (-May 394). Theophanes names "Iustam, Gratam et Gallam" as the three daughters of "Valentinianus senior" and his second wife "Iustinam", adding that "magnus Theodosius" married Galla as his second wife[37]. Iordanes names "Valentinianum…Gratam Iustamque et Gallam" as the four children of "Valentinianus senior" & his second wife, specifying that Galla married Emperor Theodosius after the death of his first wife[38]. The Chronicle of Marcellinus records that "Galla Theodosii regis altera uxor" came to Constantinople in 386[39]. The Chronicle of Marcellinus also records that "Gallia Theodosii uxor" was expelled by "Arcadio privigno suo" in 390[40]. She died in childbirth. m (387) as his second wife, Emperor THEODOSIUS I, son of THEODOSIUS & his wife Thermantia --- (346-17 Jan 395). ********** http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#GallaPlacidiadied450 Emperor Theodosius & his second wife, Galla, had one child: iii) GALLA PLACIDIA ([388/early May 394][80]-Rome 27 Nov 450). Theophanes names "Placidia" as the daughter of "magnus Theodosius" and his second wife[81]. Iordanes names "Placidiam" as the daughter of Emperor Theodosius & his second wife, recording in a later passage that she was captured by "Halaricus rex Vesegotharum" and later married his successor "Atauulfo"[82]. The Chronicle of Marcellinus also records that "Placidia Honorii principis sorore" was abducted by "Halaricus" and later married "Athaulfo propinquo suo"[83]. Olympiodorus Thebæus records that Ataulf married “Placidia” during the month of January “in Narbone, Galliæ urbe”[84]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that “Ataulfus” married “Placidiam” at Narbonne in 414[85]. Her first husband married her after failing to establish an alliance with Emperor Honorius[86]. As part of the peace negotiated by King Walia with the Romans in 416, Galla Placidia was returned to her brother Honorius in early 416[87]. The Chronicon Albeldense names “Ballia” as successor of “Sigericus”, adding that he made peace with Emperor Honorius and returned his sister Placidia to him[88]. Iordanes records the marriage of "Constantio patricio" and Placidia after the latter was returned to Rome by Walia King of the Visigoths[89]. Iordanes records that Placidia was created "Augustam" and her son Valentinian "Cæsar" to lead the opposition to Iohannes who invaded the western empire[90]. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records the death in 450 of “Valentiniani Imperatoris mater Placidia…apud Romam”[91]. m firstly (Narbonne Jan 414) as his second wife, ATAULF King of the Visigoths, son of --- (-murdered Barcelona [Aug/Sep] 416). m secondly (1 Jan 417) FLAVIUS CONSTANTIUS, son of --- (-2 Sep 421). He succeeded 8 Feb 421 as Emperor CONSTANTIUS III.
   
7. Title: Wikipedia
   Author: References[edit] ^ Claudian, "Laus Serenae", 1922 translation ^ Jump up to: a b Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology ^ "Christian Settipani, Flavius Afranius Syagrius". Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2008-04-15. ^ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, article "Gildo" Archived 2007-09-10 at the Wayback Machine ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Roman Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), article "Ælia Flaccilla" by J.P. Kirsch ^ Jump up to: a b David Woods, "Theodosius I (379–395 A.D.)" ^ "The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret [English translation]". Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. III. Archived from the original on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2021-03-22. ^ Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, vol. 2 ^ Orthodox Saints commemorated in September
   Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aelia_Flaccilla;
   Note: Aelia Flaccilla Aelia Flaccilla Augusta of the Eastern Roman Empire Empress of the Roman Empire Tenure 378–386 Born 31 March 356 Died early 386 (aged 30) Burial Constantinople Spouse Theodosius I Issue Arcadius Honorius Pulcheria Names Aelia Flavia Flaccilla Regnal name Aelia Flavia Flaccilla Augusta Dynasty Theodosian Religion Nicene Christianity Saint Aelia Flaccilla Venerated in Eastern Orthodox Church Feast 14 September Aelia Flavia Flaccilla (31 March 356 – 386), was a Roman empress and first wife of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I. She was of Hispanian Roman descent. During her marriage to Theodosius, she gave birth to two sons – future Emperors Arcadius and Honorius – and a daughter, Aelia Pulcheria. Family According to Laus Serenae ("In Praise of Serena"), a poem by Claudian, both Serena and Flaccilla were from Hispania.[1] A passage of Themistius (Oratio XVI, De Saturnino) has been interpreted as identifying Claudius Antonius, Praetorian prefect of Gaul from 376 to 377 and Roman consul in 382, to be her father. However the relation is considered doubtful.[2] In 1967, John Robert Martindale, later one of several article writers in the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, suggested that the passage actually identifies Antonius as the brother-in-law of Theodosius. However the passage is vague enough to allow Afranius Syagrius, co-consul of Antonius in 382, to be the brother-in-law in question.[3] The only kin clearly identified in primary sources was her nephew Nebridius, son of an unnamed sister. He married Salvina, a daughter of Gildo. Their marriage was mentioned by Jerome in his correspondence with Salvina. They had a son and a daughter.[4] Marriage In about 375–376, Flaccilla married Theodosius I, a son of Count Theodosius.[5] At the time Theodosius had fallen out of favor with Valentinian I and had withdrawn to civilian life in Cauca, Gallaecia.[6] Their first son Arcadius was born prior to the elevation of his parents on the throne. Their second son Honorius was born on 9 September 384. Their daughter Pulcheria has been suggested to have been born prior to the elevation of her parents to the throne due to another passage of Laus Serenae. She predeceased her parents as mentioned in the writings of Gregory of Nyssa.[2] A younger Gratian – mentioned alongside the imperial children by Ambrose – has at times been suggested as a third son; however, Gregory of Nyssa reports the existence of only three imperial children and other sources do not mention Gratian. Gratian was possibly a relation of some sort but not an actual member of the Theodosian dynasty.[5] Empress Valens, emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire was killed in the Battle of Adrianople (9 August 378). He was survived by his wife Albia Dominica and his daughters Anastasia and Carosa. He had however survived his only son, Valentinianus Galates. His nephew Gratian, Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, was his heir and assumed control of the Eastern Empire with his younger half-brother Valentinian II as his nominal co-ruler. On 19 January 378, Gratian declared Theodosius, magister militum per Illyricum, to be his new colleague in the Eastern Roman Empire. Theodosius seems to have been the senior officer of Roman origins available for promotion at the time. Merobaudes and Frigeridus, the two magistri militum in praesenti were probably not considered due to their Germanic origins. Several other equivalent positions remained vacant since the deaths of their last holders in Adrianople.[6] At this point Flaccilla became the Empress consort and was given the title Augusta. She was a fervent supporter of the Nicene Creed. Sozomen reports her preventing a conference between Theodosius and Eunomius of Cyzicus who served as figurehead of Anomoeanism, the most radical sect of Arians, who believed that Jesus was in no way similar to the Father. Ambrose and Gregory of Nyssa praise her Christian virtue and comment on her role as "a leader of justice" and "pillar of the Church".[5] Theodoret reports on her works of charity, personally tending to the disabled. He quotes her saying that "To distribute money belongs to the imperial dignity, but I offer up for the imperial dignity itself personal service to the Giver." [5][7] She died early in 386. Her death is mentioned by (among others) Claudian, Zosimus, Philostorgius and Joannes Zonaras. According to the Chronicon Paschale, the Palatium Flaccillianum of Constantinople was named in her honor. A statue of her was placed within the Byzantine Senate.[8] Sainthood She is commemorated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, her feast day being 14 September.[5][9]
   
8. Title: The Empresses of Rome
   Author: pages 313-321
   Publication: Name: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/60933/60933-h/60933-h.htm#Page_313;
   Note: Galla had married Theodosius soon after the destruction of Maximus. The Chronicle of Marcellinus puts the marriage in 386; Zosimus, more plausibly, implies that it took place in 387 or 388. From a curious statement in the Chronicle of Marcellinus it seems that she was sent to320 live in the palace at Constantinople while Theodosius remained in Italy. The statement is that the elder son of the Emperor, Arcadius, a boy of thirteen years, drove her out of the palace. Commentators are loath to believe that so young a prince could do this, but it is not in the least impossible, and the authority is respectable. We shall see that Arcadius was a peevish and worthless prince, indolently guided by eunuchs and servants, and capable of very cruel decisions. Theodosius had departed from the finer Imperial tradition of appointing a grave and distinguished scholar as the tutor of his sons, and had committed them to the care of a Roman deacon, Arsenius, who had a repute for piety. We can hardly regard the authority of a late Greek writer (Metaphrastes) as weighty enough to commend the statement that Arcadius set his servants to take the life of Arsenius for whipping him, but the unhappy events of the next chapter will show that the only result of this kind of education was to leave the character unformed, and throw the stress on external observances. In 391 Theodosius returned to Constantinople, and Galla entered upon her brief Imperial career. Whether or no we accept the biased picture which Zosimus offers us of the Eastern court, it is clear that it sustained a soft and excessive luxury at the cost of the enfeebled Empire. Large numbers of eunuchs found employment, and, with the genius of their class, intrigued for favour in the sleeping quarters, and in the service of the Empress and the Imperial children. The kitchen employed a regiment of ministers to the heavy and voluptuous table; the circus and theatre supported vast numbers of mimes, dancers, and charioteers. Besides this large army of ministers to the Imperial pleasure, a second army of idle and avaricious place-seekers beset the palace, and extorted a generous revenue from the offices which were created for them in the army and the administration. It is even said that such offices were openly sold in the public places and in the palace of Constantinople. Strenuous as Theodosius was in the321 field, he was not strong enough to sustain the burden of peace, and he unconsciously prepared the Empire for the avalanche that was soon to be cast upon it. But the drowsy indulgence of Theodosius was soon startled once more by a call to arms from the West. In the spring of 392 Valentinian was slain, or in despair slew himself, and a Frankish commander had put his purple robe upon the shoulders of a Roman rhetorician. The young Emperor had been so overshadowed by the power of his general that he had attempted to dismiss him, and had then been found dead with a cord round his neck. Theodosius again hesitated to exchange the softness of his palace for the rigours of a campaign. Galla “filled the palace with her lamentations,” but Theodosius sent away the ambassadors of the usurper with pleasant words and presents, and continued for nearly two years to resist the appeals of his young Empress. It was not until the summer of 394 that he led out his legions for the punishment of the murderer, as Argobastes was believed to be. Galla did not live to see her brother avenged. She died in childbirth just as the army was about to start, and Theodosius is said to have mourned for her one day and then started for Italy.