Albert Güldenpenning Livres

Emperor Theodosius I is a pivotal figure of the later Roman Empire, known for being the last Emperor to rule the entire Empire for a brief period (392-395). His reign from 379 to 395 marked the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, solidified by his edict on 28 February 380, mandating a compulsory confession of faith for all subjects. The following year, the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople confirmed his decisions. After the Council, Theodosius enacted numerous laws against heretics, and it was only towards the end of his reign that he prohibited pagan cults. A significant achievement of his was the peace treaty with the Goths in 382, allowing them to settle as allies within the Empire and requiring their military service. By the early 5th century, he was already referred to as ‘the Great’ by church circles. The monograph by Albert Güldenpenning and Julius Ifland remains a foundational text in Ancient History, providing extensive insights into both pagan and Christian sources that continue to inform contemporary studies of Theodosius and his era.