Eudoxia, Empress of Byzantium

EUDOXIA, Empress of Byzantium. - Daughter of the Frankish general Bauto, she was married to Arcadius on 27 April 395. An intriguing and domineering woman, she exercised a great influence over her weak husband, especially after the fall of the powerful eunuch Eutropius, in which E. was not uninvolved. She showed herself at first very favorable toward the Catholics, supporting them in the struggle against the Arians, honoring the bishops and making generous donations to the churches.

But her injustices and especially her laxity of morals found a fierce opponent in St. John Chrysostom. The quarrel broke out in 401 and had a first outcome in 403 when, in the synod known as that of the Oak, Chrysostom was deposed and driven into exile. But the people rose up against the unjust condemnation, and the superstitious E. had the exile recalled. The peace lasted barely two months. In the autumn of 403 a statue was dedicated to E. with great games and festivities that disturbed the religious services; Chrysostom worked energetically to put an end to that scandal. E.'s wrath broke out terribly; a new synod was convened and the bishop had to take the road of exile again, where he died. E. followed him to the tomb shortly afterward, on 6 October 404.

Agostino Amore