ABSTRACT
There has been extensive argument about the actions, motives, and ultimate goals of Stilicho in the crucial years, 395-408. A full attempt to analyse all the political twists and turns in this period would be a separate book in itself.1 But Stilicho, it is now generally agreed, continued the broad policies of his father-in-law Theodosius towards the barbarians-to conciliate them, manage them and use them, in what he saw were the long-term interests of the Roman Empire. If these policies ultimately failed (and that is still an open question), then the responsibility lies with Theodosius as well. For good or ill the ghost of Theodosius accompanies Stilicho, and that is our central concern.2
