ABSTRACT
In the spring and summer of 391 Theodosius and his Court began the long return to Constantinople, after three years of direct rule in the West from Milan.1 Italy and the Gallic provinces were ostensibly pacified after the victory over Maximus. The formidable and trusted Magister Militum, Arbogast, effectively protected the north-west of the empire from Trier,2 through the overt imperial authority of the youthful Valentinian II, now nearly twenty but without serious political or military experience.3 In Italy, the senatorial nobility, still largely pagan, had been forgiven their compromises with Maximus, carefully conciliated and brought over to support Theodosius and his dynasty. The very influential pagan aristocrat, Nicomachus Flavianus, had been honoured and entrusted with the multiple Prefecture of Italy, Africa and Illyricum-perhaps the highest position of rank and authority possible for any minister in the West.4
