Theodosius I

Hello! My name is Theodosius. I will tell you the story of my life as a Roman Emperor. I was born a very long time ago, on January 11th, in the year 347. My home was in a part of the Roman Empire called Hispania, which you now call Spain. My father was a brave and important general in the Roman army, and I learned a lot from watching him as I grew up.

When I became a man, the Roman Empire was facing some difficult times. After a big battle in the year 378, the emperor in the East was gone. The other emperor, a man named Gratian who ruled the West, needed someone strong and trustworthy to help lead. In the year 379, he chose me! I became the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a huge job to protect so many people and so much land, but I was ready for the challenge.

One of my first tasks was to deal with a group of people called the Goths. We had been fighting them for a long time, but I thought there was a better way to live together. In the year 382, I made a special agreement with them. I let them live peacefully inside the empire's borders as our allies, which means they were our friends and helpers. I also had very strong beliefs about my religion. I was a Christian, and I wanted everyone in the empire to share this faith. In the year 380, I made a law that made Nicene Christianity the official religion of the entire Roman Empire. This was a very important change that would shape the world for many years to come.

The Roman Empire was so big that it was usually split into two parts, an Eastern part and a Western part, with different rulers for each side. But for a short time, I had the chance to lead it all. After winning some difficult battles, in the year 394, I became the ruler of the entire empire. I was the very last emperor to rule over a united Roman Empire, both East and West, all at once.

I lived to be 48 years old and passed away in the year 395. After I was gone, I left the empire to my two sons, Arcadius and Honorius. Arcadius ruled the East and Honorius ruled the West. People today often call me 'Theodosius the Great.' They remember me for making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and for being the last person to rule the whole thing by himself. My decisions helped shape the future in ways that can still be seen today.