1. Theodosius II, called "the Calligrapher", was Roman emperor from 402 to 450.
20 Facts About Theodosius II
1. 2.
Theodosius II's reign was marked by the promulgation of the Theodosian law code and the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople.
3.
Theodosius II presided over the outbreak of two great Christological controversies, Nestorianism and Eutychianism.
4.
Theodosius II became praepositus sacri cubiculi later but Theodosius dismissed him when he reached his adulthood.
5.
In 423, the Western Emperor Honorius, Theodosius II's uncle, died and the primicerius notariorum Joannes was proclaimed emperor.
6.
Honorius's sister Galla Placidia and her young son Valentinian, who had earlier fled to Constantinople to escape Honorius's hostility, sought Eastern assistance to claim the throne for Valentinian, and after some deliberation in 424 Theodosius II opened the war against Joannes.
7.
In 425, Theodosius II founded the University of Constantinople with 31 chairs.
8.
In 429, Theodosius II appointed a commission to collect all of the laws since the reign of Constantine I, and create a fully formalized system of law.
9.
The law code of Theodosius II, summarizing edicts promulgated since Constantine, formed a basis for the law code of Emperor Justinian I, the, in the following century.
10.
Theodosius II was suspicious, and asked Eudocia what she had done with the apple.
11.
Theodosius II became engaged with the affairs of the West after installing Valentinian III as his Western counterpart.
12.
When Roman Africa fell to the Vandals in 439, Theodosius II sent forces to Sicily, intending to launch an attack on the Vandals at Carthage.
13.
Theodosius II frequently attempted to resolve doctrinal controversies regarding the nature of Christ.
14.
The council was divided between the Cyrillians and the Nestorians, with Theodosius II ultimately favoring the Cyrillians.
15.
Theodosius II supported the outcome, but it was reversed by the Council of Chalcedon which was held a year after his death in 450.
16.
Theodosius II is often seen by both ancient and modern historians as being constantly pushed around by his sister, wife, and eunuchs, particularly Chrysaphius among them.
17.
Theodosius II favored the pro-Monophysite policy, influenced the foreign policy towards the Huns, and was resented by Pulcheria, general Zeno, and pro-Chalcedonian writers.
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However, these views of Theodosius II have been challenged in modern scholarship.
19.
Some historians argue that contrary to hostile ancient sources, Theodosius II was more in control of his government.
20.
Theodosius II was a very learned emperor, with a great aptitude for maths, history, astronomy and writing, hence his nickname "the Calligrapher" by some later historians.