Theodosius I AD 379-395. Struck AD 378-383. Constantinople
Follis Æ

23 mm, 4,87 g

D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, helmeted, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, right holding spear and shield in front / GLORIA ROMANORVM, Emperor standing facing, head right on ship, raising right hand; Victory at helm; wreath in left field, CONA in exergue.

Very Fine

RIC 52c3.

Theodosius I, also known as Theodosius the Great, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 379 to 395 AD. His rule stands as a defining chapter in the late Roman Empire. Born in Spain around 347 AD, he hailed from a prominent Roman family. Theodosius's ascent to the throne followed the death of the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 379. He was acclaimed as the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire, taking charge of an empire marred by internal strife and external threats. A significant achievement of Theodosius was his success in reuniting the Roman Empire. In 394, he vanquished the Western Roman usurper Eugenius, consolidating his authority over the entire empire. Religion played a crucial role in Theodosius's rule. A devout Christian, he was instrumental in promoting Nicene Christianity as the official state religion. His "Cunctos populos" decree of 380 proclaimed Nicene Christianity as the state faith and reaffirmed the Nicene Creed. Simultaneously, he implemented strong measures against paganism and heresy. Military campaigns also marked his reign. He faced the Gothic threat and negotiated a peace agreement. His military endeavors extended to defeating the Western Roman usurper Eugenius. Theodosius I's death in 395 AD led to the division of the Roman Empire between his two sons, Arcadius in the East and Honorius in the West. His rule left an indelible mark on the late Roman Empire, characterized by religious transformation, military campaigns, and the pursuit of unity in a time of significant challenges.