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In the previous article, we tackled the beginning of Caesar Arcadius’ reign after the death of his father Theodosius the Great. Arcadius’ subjects hated him due to his weakness and lack of wisdom, which is why he left the state’s affairs to Rufinus, the tetrarch of the East who was assassinated together with his supporters while inspecting the Roman army with Caesar Arcadius. Owing to this, Arcadius appointed eunuch Eutropius in his stead.
At that time, the king of the Ostrogoths, who detested Roman Emperors, tried to win Arcadius’ favor to instigate him against the Western Empire. He did succeed. So much so that Arcadius appointed him Magister Militum of the Roman armies on Italy’s eastern coasts. Having settled down and won his soldiers’ favor, he marched to Rome to fight Honorius. He defeated him and was about to seize the Empire, had it not been for Stilicho who overcame him and imprisoned his wife. On the other hand, the king fled, his soldiers forsook him, and Honorius as well as his throne were saved.
Eutropius
Many Historians maintain that Arcadius’ tenure was full of tribulation, corruption, and injustice. In fact, statesmen were unfair. Additionally, he neglected his subjects and state’s affairs.
After Rufinus’ assassination, the eunuch Eutropius was appointed in his stead, for he was endorsed by the Emperor and Empress. He started working during Theodosius’ tenure, and successfully arranged the marriage of Arcadius to Eudoxia. Moreover, his post allowed him to decide who could meet the Emperor.
Some historians hold a negative opinion of Eutropius: for the more his authority increased, the more the people loved him due to his hatred for the Ostrogoths who were the Empire’s foes. Yet, the senators did not think the same: for they were aware of his corruption and bribery, as well as neglect of the state’s affairs. Moreover, he was into gossip and reporting. He coveted the state’s taxes. Due to his severe corruption, he persecuted the honest commanders lest they rebel against his dishonest deeds.
In 399, Eutropius acquired the title of “consul” and was promoted to the level of aristocracy due to his bravery in confronting the Huns in 398. Yet, his downfall was brought about by the animosity nursed him by Supreme Commander Gainas and Empress Eudoxia.
Some references mention that Eutropius was aware of the people’s hatred for him due to his cruelty. So, he had a directive issued that whoever spoke against the king or his page would be sentenced to death. That directive had a negative impact on the people who rebelled. Seditions ignited. So much so that statesmen asked the Empress to ask Arcadius to execute him to calm the sedition down. At first, the Emperor denied her request. But, she kept entreating him until he complied. This made the people rejoice. They came from everywhere to watch Eutropius executed.
However, Eutropius sought refuge in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral. He was saved by John Chrysostom, the patriarch of Constantinople, after which he was banished to Cyprus. There are different opinions regarding his death. Some historians assert that he was executed by the ruler of Cyprus. Others assert that by the end of 399, he was tried and sentenced to death at Chalcedon.
Eudoxia Rules the Empire (400-404 A.D.)
After Eutropius’ death, Orleanus was promoted to tetrarch of the East, but Gainus banished him after asking Arcadius to give him up. Despite the fact that Orleanus returned after Gainus’ death, he could no longer influence the Emperor. At that time, Eudoxia was establishing herself and political and political stature. In 400, she was proclaimed Augusta, and was able to play a crucial role in ruling the country. Emperor Arcadius left the state’s affairs to his wife who became despotic.
Her despotism showed itself in the animosity she nursed John Chrysostom, the patriarch of Constantinople. Despite the fact that she and her husband loved the man at first, her love was changed to hatred when the patriarch rejected her despotism and criticized her extravagant lifestyle. So much so that she ordered he be banished in 403.
No sooner had the congregation known of the patriarch’s banishment, they rebelled against the queen and surrounded the palace demanding the patriarch’s return. So, in order to overcome the rebellion, she ordered that he return from his exile. The congregation received him warmly. Yet, the clash between the Empress and patriarch continued, which made her banish him once more in 404. He remained in his exile until he departed.
These incidents led to a clash between Arcadius and Honorius. No sooner had the patriarch been banished, than earthquakes and rotting of plants alighted upon the country, which made the people believe this was due to the rulers’ injustice with the patriarch. The Empress, however, did not enjoy her triumph for long: she died on October, 404.
Anthemius (404-408 A.D.)
The final years of Arcadius’ tenure marked Anthemius’ complete control of the East: for he strove to overcome many of the government’s violations. Also, he secured the East from attacks, and fortified the fences of Constantinople. At that time, the Emperor did not have the least influence, even as a symbol!
Arcadius died in 408 due to unknown reasons, leaving the Empire’s affairs to his son, Theodosius II.
Some references indicate that prior his death, he commanded the Persian king be prince regent! Yet, this claim was denied by most historians who justified it by asserting that Khosrow never claimed such post. Neither did he interfere in the state’s affairs. If this had been true, he would not have forsook the opportunity of seizing the Eastern Empire.
Egypt under Arcadius
When Arcadius ascended the throne, he followed his father’s suit and made the same decisions: he decreed that all idolatry temples in Egypt be closed down. Also, he laid a firm law to be applied by Egyptians, enticing them to obey their proconsuls. Yet, later, he gave pagans some freedom, such as, worshipping the sun and cows!
At that time, Pope Theophilus, the 23rd patriarch, was combating paganism in Egypt. The bishops followed suit. During his papacy, paganism receded. So much so that pagan temples were closed down, and the number of Christians increased. In effect, the Pope asked the Emperor to convert these temples to churches, which the Emperor consented. Yet, Christians were persecuted by the rest of the pagans who killed many of them. The people of Alexandria rebelled at these atrocities. So, the pagans sought refuge in the Serapium, and tried to torture and kill the Christians who reached it.
As these incidents spread, the Emperor issued a directive to demolish the Serapium, owing to the violence and homicide that were taking place there. No sooner had this news reached the pagans, than they fled at night.
It came to pass that as a soldier was demolishing the pagan temple, he destroyed an idol of the sun which Egyptians revered, believing it was the creator of the whole world: for some sounds came out of it. However, the moment it was destroyed, some rats came out! This led to the weakening of the creed. At that time, Arcadius had restored the bishops who were banished by Valens. What a story! Stories will never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
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