**ARCADIUS (Imperator Flavius Arcadius Pius Felix), ROMAN EMPEROR.** – Son of the Emperor THEODOSIUS THE GREAT, born in 377. He was educated not only by pagan philosophers (Themistius) but also by Churchmen (Arsenius). Associated very early with power, he became emperor upon his father’s death in 395, but received only the eastern portion (Illyricum, Thrace, Pontus, Asia, Egypt), sharing authority with his younger brother HONORIUS; moreover, he was subject to the guardianship of Rufinus, Praetorian Prefect. The empire appeared to remain one despite the two holders; yet from this moment began the clear separation of East and West, the former assuming the character it retained for centuries (Byzantine civilization).
Arcadius was weak: he was dominated by ministers and by his wife Eudoxia, daughter of a Frankish general. After Rufinus, Eutropius came to prominence, then the Goth Gainas: all were venal, corrupt, and violent. A danger was
Famous are the struggles waged in the time of Arcadius by his wife Eudoxia against the bishop of Constantinople, JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, already disliked by Gainas, who was an Arian. Arcadius died on 10 May 408, and was succeeded by his young son THEODOSIUS II under the guidance of Anthemius.
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