Theodosius II
Rethinking the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity

A fresh look at the vitality and integrity of the eastern Roman Empire under its longest reigning emperor.

Christopher Kelly (Edited by)

9781107038585, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 August 2013

342 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.54 kg

'The reader of this volume is offered valuable insights into one of the crucial periods in the history of the Christian Church.' Fergus Millar, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Theodosius II (AD 408–450) was the longest reigning Roman emperor. Ever since Edward Gibbon, he has been dismissed as mediocre and ineffectual. Yet Theodosius ruled an empire which retained its integrity while the West was broken up by barbarian invasions. This book explores Theodosius' challenges and successes. Ten essays by leading scholars of late antiquity provide important new insights into the court at Constantinople, the literary and cultural vitality of the reign, and the presentation of imperial piety and power. Much attention has been directed towards the changes promoted by Constantine at the beginning of the fourth century; much less to their crystallisation under Theodosius II. This volume explores the working out of new conceptions of the Roman Empire - its history, its rulers and its God. A substantial introduction offers a new framework for thinking afresh about the long transition from the classical world to Byzantium.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Rethinking Theodosius Christopher Kelly
Part II. Arcana Imperii: 2. Men without women: Theodosius' consistory and the business of government Jill Harries
3. Theodosius and his generals Doug Lee
4. Theodosius II and the politics of the first Council of Ephesus Thomas Graumann
5. Olympiodorus of Thebes and eastern triumphalism Peter Van Nuffelen
Part III. Past and Present: 6. Mapping the world under Theodosius II Giusto Traina
7. 'The insanity of heretics must be restrained': heresiology and the Theodosian Code Richard Flower
8. Writing in Greek: classicism and compilation, interaction and transformation Mary Whitby
Part IV. Pius Princeps: 9. Stooping to conquer: the power of imperial humility Christopher Kelly
10. The imperial subject: Theodosius II and panegyric in Socrates' Church History Luke Gardiner
11. Theodosius II and his legacy in anti-Chalcedonian communal memory Edward Watts.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], European history [HBJD], History of art: Byzantine & Medieval art c 500 CE to c 1400 [ACK]