The Christian Emperors who Ruined the World

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House of Constantine - Scramble for Power

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Constantine I 

With less than 5% of his subjects professing to be Christian, endorsed Christianity as the most favoured religion. Though his Council of Nicaea was hailed as the lodestone of Catholic Orthodoxy, Constantine himself died an Arian, at 65.

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Constantine II

On accession in Gaul, freed the fiery "Trinitarian" Bishop Athanasius from exile and allowed him to return to Alexandria, causing problems for his brother Constantius II. Killed at 24 in battle with brother Constans, trying to seize more territory.

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Constans I 

Under the influence of Athanasius, banned pagan sacrifice and a waged a campaign against Donatists in North Africa. Called the Council of Serdica to deal with Arianism. He sold government posts to the highest bidder and was murdered by his army chief at 30.

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Constantius II 

On his accession, he murdered many of his own family. Early in his life he was influenced by Bishop Arius and his supporters.

"Vain & stupid... he bankrupted the courier service by frequent calls for Church Councils." (Ammianus).

Terrified of sorcery, he persecuted "... all the soothsayers and the Hellenists." Monks were exempted from public obligations shortly before his death at 44.

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Julian  Assassinated at 32. In vain, attempted to restore religious tolerance and the 'old' Gods.

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House of Valentinian - Retreat into "Piety"

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Valentinian I 

On Julian's murder, and the death of Jovian, this stolid soldier became emperor. He issued an edict forbidding pagan officers to command Christian soldiers. He was impressed by Ambrose, whom he made praetorian prefect of Italy, governor of Milan and bishop. Disinterested in religion, but hostile to the old pagan aristocracy, which cleared the way for Christian ascendancy. Died in a fit of anger, aged 54.

His biggest mistake was making his obtuse brother Valens (364 - 378) co-ruler in the east (at 36). A zealous Arian, Valens ordered mass book-burning and persecution of non-Christians throughout the Eastern Empire. His arrogance led him to defeat by the Goths in 378 (aged 50).

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Gratian  

Tutored by Ausonius, a Christian poet from Gaul. No interest in the rigours of military life. He withdrew his capital from Trier to the relative safety of Milan. He was held in contempt by the army. Murdered at age 24 by Magnus Maximus (usurper emperor of western provinces). Catspaw of Ambrose while he lived (abolished Vestal Virgins and removed the Altar of Victory). Preferred hunting to ruling.

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Valentinian II, Regent: Empress Justina 

This child prince relied on Ambrose to negotiate with Maximus and remained a pawn in the power struggle between the Catholic bishop and his Arian mother. Intervention by Theodosius saved his throne, only to leave him under the thumb of generalissimo Arbogastes. Refused an appeal to restore the Altar of Victory. Murdered (suicide?) at age 19.

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House of Theodosius - Dissolute and Dissolution

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Theodosius I 

Sacked from the army by Valentinian I for cowardice! His seniority led a desperate 19 year-old Gratian to appoint him co-ruler for the east after the death of his uncle, Valens. After a near-death experience at 34, he emerged as a Catholic fanatic. Manipulated by Ambrose, he issued draconian anti-pagan laws (any disagreement with Christian dogma was declared 'insane'). Libraries looted and burned. Temples closed and burned. Died aged 49. Disastrous legacy.

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Arcadius 

Ruled ineffectually under praetorian prefects Tatian, Rufinus and Anthemius, Chamberlain Eutropius (who appointed John Chrysostom patriarch) and his forceful wife Eudoxia (who deposed Chrysostom). 'Withdrew' on her death, rarely leaving the palace. Urged the Goths to invade Italy to save his own skin. Compensated for weak character with pious acts of religious intolerance (ordered that paganism be treated as 'high treason' and any remaining temples be demolished). Died aged 31.

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Honorius

Murdered his protector, the brilliant general Stilicho (408) out of petulance and envy, paving the way for capitulation to German tribes migrating into Spain and Visigoths into southwest Gaul, and was responsible for the loss of Britain. The feckless and timid youth abandoned Milan and Italy to the Goths, while he cowed in Ravenna. Stirred himself to call a synod of bishops and rule in favour of Boniface, against the rival pope Eulalius. A synod in Carthage declared the study of pagan books prohibited and issued an approved Canon of the Church. Honorius died aged 38.

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Theodosius II, Regent: sister Empress Pulcheria 

His early life was dominated by his resolute and pious sister, his ambitious and pious wife Eudoxia, and the prefect Anthemius (who built the walls of Constantinople ). Many edicts of intolerance were in his name. When he eventually escaped female fetters, Theodosius disastrously gave in to Hun demands for ever more gold and conceded to the Vandals a fully independent kingdom in North Africa. Meanwhile, he concentrated on 'important matters': He convened the Council at Ephesus in 449 ("The Robber Council") and authorised the Monophysitic position that "Christ had only one nature and it was divine", hence alienating Pope Leo I. This infamous book-burner died at the age of 49, falling from his horse! The Codex Theodosianus preserved his name.

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Valentinian III, Regent: Empress Galla Placidia

Owed his throne to the intervention of Theodosius II in western politics. A religious fanatic, under the influence of astrologers, he was subservient in turns to his mother, generalissimo Aetius and to Pope Leo I. He murdered Aetius, the last able general in the west and was himself murdered when 36. Lost the provinces of Africa, parts of Spain and much of Gaul. The last Western Emperors barely ruled Italy itself.

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- Bahram Maskanian

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