On This Day In Roman History, January 23
Theodosius I gives his 8-year-old son Honorius the full rank of Augustus, proclaiming the illegitimacy of Eugenius, on January 23, 393 CE. This proclamation happened at such an early time for Honorius due to the political rise of Flavius Eugenius. Eugenius was essentially a puppet Emperor to Arbogast, who elevated Eugenius to the purple in August of 392. This was done for a few reasons, with the most important being Arbogast was a Frank. Eugenius was quick to reform the political structure around him by replacing several administrators and appointing loyal family and associates to positions of power. This was true in the case of his son, Nicomachus Flavianus the Younger, who received the title "Prefect of Rome". In the end, Theodosius ended this usurpation at the Battle of the Frigidus, which concluded with Arbogast committing suicide after his defeat. Eugenius would later be held for execution, which was publically displayed at Theodosius' camp.
Did you know?
Honorius was considered one of the worst Roman Emperors of all time, in part due to the fact that under his reign Rome would be sacked for the first time in just under 800 years. This was done by the Visigoths under King Alaric. Even though Rome was no longer the capital, which at this time was located at Mediolanum, this event came as a huge cultural shock now that the "Eternal City" had fallen.
Pictured: The Western Roman Emperor Honorius, (1880) by Jean-Paul Laurens [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
Procopius of Caesarea, a prominent scholar in the 500's, wrote about an entertaining story regarding Honorius, quoted: "At that time they say that the Emperor Honorius in Ravenna received the message from one of the eunuchs, evidently a keeper of the poultry, that Rome had perished. And he cried out and said, 'And yet it has just eaten from my hands!' For he had a very large cock, Rome by name; and the eunuch comprehending his words said that it was the city of Rome which had perished at the hands of Alaric, and the emperor with a sigh of relief answered quickly: 'But I thought that my fowl Rome had perished.' So great, they say, was the folly with which this emperor was possessed." - Procopius, The Vandalic War (III.2.25–26). This story was believed false by author Edward Gibbon, but is still very entertaining nonetheless.
Opinion
Welcome to my daily opinion! Today it's my opinion that Honorius really was an awful Emperor, but maybe not as awful as history makes it seem. It was a crummy time to be a Roman in the Western Empire. To say that any man could have saved this sinking ship at this time is debatable. With the onslaught of the Vandals and many other germanic cultures flowing into Roman territory, the task of not just flourishing, but surviving, was nearly impossible. Also, even though many modern and non-modern historians alike view the above story quoted, as false, I just could not pass up such a hilarious tale.
Sources
Carr, J. C. (2015). Fighting Emperors of Byzantium. Pen & Sword Military.
Gibbon, E., & Low, D. M. (1960). The decline and fall of the Roman Empire. New York: Harcourt, Brace.
Heather, P. J. (2006). The fall of the Roman Empire: a new history of Rome and the Barbarians. New York: Oxford University Press.
Salzman, M. R. (2010). Ambrose and the usurpation of Arbogastes and Eugenius reflections on pagan-christian conflict narratives. S.l.: Johns Hopkins University Press for the North American Patristics society.
Further Reading:
Special Thanks: Michael Houghan
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