The New International Encyclopædia/Arcadius

ARCA′DIUS (c.377–408). The first Emperor of the East (A.D. 395–408). He was born in Spain, and was the son of the Emperor Theodosius, after whose death the Roman Empire was divided into the Eastern and Western. Arcadius lived in Oriental state, and his dominion extended from the Adriatic Sea to the river Tigris, and from Scythia to Ethiopia; but the real rulers over this vast empire were, first, the Gaul Rufinus, and afterwards the eunuch Eutropius, who openly assumed the reins of government and the command of the army, while Arcadius reposed in luxurious indifference. In 399 Eutropius was deposed by another usurper, Gainas, who, in his turn, soon fell a victim to his own ambition. Afterwards Eudoxia, the wife of the Emperor, assumed the supremacy. One really great man adorned this period, the virtuous and eloquent Chrysostom, who was persecuted by Eudoxia, and through her influence exiled in 404, on account of his firm opposition to Arianism, which the Empress herself favored. During the reign of Arcadius his territories suffered by barbarian incursions, earthquakes, and famine, but nothing could disturb the indifference of the monarch. He died, unlamented, A.D. 408. See Honorius.