1. Honorius was the younger son of emperor Theodosius I and his first wife Aelia Flaccilla.
14 Facts About Honorius
2.
Honorius became Western Roman emperor at the age of ten.
3.
At first Honorius based his capital in Milan, but when the Visigoths under King Alaric I entered Italy in 401 he moved his capital to the coastal city of Ravenna, which was protected by a ring of marshes and strong fortifications.
4.
Honorius's reign experienced continued barbarian incursions into Gaul, Italy and Hispania.
5.
Honorius convinced the emperor that his father-in-law was conspiring with the barbarians to overthrow him.
6.
On his return to Ravenna, Honorius ordered the arrest and execution of Stilicho.
7.
Attalus dispatched an army to conquer Africa and restore the grain supply to Rome, but the governor, Heraclian, who was loyal to Honorius, wiped out this force as soon as it landed on the coast.
8.
Honorius now found himself an able commander, Constantius, who defeated Maximus and Gerontius, and then Constantine, in 411.
9.
Honorius punished Attalus by cutting off his right finger and thumb, inflicting the same fate with which Attalus had threatened Honorius.
10.
Under the influence of Constantius, Honorius issued the Edict of 418, which was designed to enable the Empire to retain a hold on the lands which were to be surrendered to the Goths.
11.
In 421, Honorius recognized him as co-emperor Constantius III; however, when the announcement of his elevation was sent to Constantinople, Theodosius refused to recognise him.
12.
The Mausoleum of Honorius was located on the Vatican Hill, accessed from the transept of the Old Saint Peter's Basilica.
13.
Honorius issued a decree during his reign, prohibiting men from wearing trousers in Rome.
14.
The last known gladiatorial games took place during the reign of Honorius, who banned the practice in 399 and again in 404, reportedly due to the martyrdom of a Christian monk named Telemachus while he was protesting a gladiator fight.