Theodosius I                  379 - 395 A.D.

The son of a famous general, Theodosius's own military prowess caught the eye of Gratian who sent him off with an army to deal with the various barbarian hordes making regular excursions into Roman territory. After scoring some impressive victories on the battlefield Gratian gave Theodosius the ultimate reward by crowning him emperor and formal successor to Valens.

Theodosius then went on to settle a peace treaty with the barbarians and conferred upon them "federate" status and allowed them to occupy Roman territory under the condition that they would defend it against other intruders. The benefit, in principle at least, was that this settlement created a buffer zone for the Romans. In the following years he put down the rebellions headed by Magnus Maximus and then, literally with a little help from the weather, by the puppet emperor Eugenius.

During the waning years of his life he became the first Roman emperor to turn full circle on the issue of religious persecution. After centuries of Christian persecution and then another three quarters of a century whereby Christianity coexisted mostly peacefully with Pagan rituals, Theodosius began the active persecution and steady elimination of all non-Christian sects and their temples. This policy would be vigorously followed by all succeeding emperors. He died in 395 leaving behind a split empire to be ruled by his sons Honorius and Arcadius.

Obv-DNTHEODO SVISPFAVG Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev-REPARATIO REIPVB Emperor standing facing, head left, raising crowned female with right hand, and holding Victory on globe in left. RIC 26c8, Sear 4183	Obv-DNTHEODO SVISPFAVG Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev-REPARATIO REIPVB Emperor standing facing, head left, raising crowned female with right hand, and holding Victory on globe in left. SIS C in ex. RIC 26c8, Sear 4183	Obv-DN THEODO SVIS PF AVG Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev-SALVS REIPVBLICAE Victory advancing left with trophy and captive. VM 40	Obv-DN THEODO-SIVS PF AVG Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev-VOT/V/MVLT/X 4 lines in wreath, BSIS in ex. RIC 29d.2
Obv-DN THEODO-SIVS PF AVG Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev-VOT/V/MVLT/X 4 lines in wreath, A SIS c in ex. RIC 29d.2	Obv-DN THEODO SVIS PF AVG Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev-GLORIA ROMANORVM Emperor standing facing with standard and globe. ANTA in ex.