ABSTRACT
Theodosius was born in Cauca, Spain, in the province of Gallaecia, on the 11th January. Despite the efforts of our sources to emphasise the nobility of Theodosius’ ancestors – some go as far as to create a familial link with the emperor Trajan – his family was an unremarkable cog in the minor provincial aristocracy of the west. Theodosius’ posting to North Africa, and his son’s promotion, demonstrate the esteem in which the family was now held by Valentinian I. In the decades leading up to Theodosius’ accession, the empire had faced significant pressures on numerous frontiers. The Battle of Adrianople has long been considered a turning point in the fortunes of the empire. Theodosius boasted a network of supporters who must have played an important role in having him recalled to military service and eventually elevated to the purple.
