In the previous article, we spoke of Theodosius II who became emperor in his infancy. At first, Anthemius was prince regent, then, his sister Pulcheria took over and was assigned the state’s affairs. She supervised the young emperor’s education and upbringing. Then she sought him a wife, and married him off to Eudokia, after which the wife and sister conflicted. The sister overcame the wife who secluded herself in Jerusalem.
Wars and Incidents
Several wars were waged by Theodosius II, among which was that against the Germanic tribes, also known as the Vandals, who established a state in North Africa in 429. His military campaigns against them failed. On the other hand, he defeated the Persians in 422 and 447.
Constantinople was constantly threatened by the Huns that were led by Regulus who hated Theodosius II very much. He used to threaten him. So much so that Theodosius sent him ambassadors pleading reconciliation. Yet, when the ambassadors arrived, they found he had died and was succeeded by his two cousins, Attila and Bleda. So, they had to wait for several days until they met them. Upon meeting them, Attila and Bleda who raised the taxes paid by the Empire to the Huns, claimed one of its harbors, and made it a point that the Empire should not make any treaty with the Huns’ enemies. The Emperor succumbed to these humiliating conditions. Yet, after a while, king Attila (434-453) claimed that the convention was violated, accusing the Romans of stealing one of their princes’ safe. So, he demanded that Caesar pay the money and give up a Christian bishop! The Emperor declined this, which ignited war. The Huns raided Roman cities. They ransacked them, demolished fortresses and captured many people. The Romans were defeated twice.
Having burnt and destroyed about seventy cities, Attila reached Constantinople. Yet, the city’s fences prevented him from invading it. When Theodosius failed in confronting the Huns’ king, he secluded himself in his palace until they made a treaty that was humiliating for the Empire. This weakened the state.
At that time, Pulcheria’s influence weakened, and eunuch Chrysaphius took over, being highly influential. So, he tried to ignite seditions against Attila in order to get rid of him. But, the matter was exposed. However, Attila pardoned the conspirators and sent them back to Constantinople. He also forgave Theodosius II, sending him a message in which he blamed him for conspiring to kill him. So, Theodosius gave up Chrysaphius to the Huns’ king in an apologetic gesture. But, Attila pardoned him, renewing the reconciliation with the Roman Empire. However, he claimed a lot of money which the Empire could not pay. Shortly afterwards, Theodosius died.
The University of Constantinople
Theodosius II established the University of Constantinople in 425. It included law, philosophy, and medical schools. Also, arithmetic, geometry, astrology, music, and oration were taught there. The university remained until the fifteenth century.
Laws
In 429, Theodosius II appointed a commission to collect all of the laws since the reign of Constantine I, and create a fully formalized system of law. But the work was not accomplished except by the second commission which collected all the legislations issued until that time. Their collection was published as the Codex Theodosianus in 438. The law code of Theodosius II, summarizing edicts promulgated since Constantine, formed a basis for the law code of Emperor Justinian I, the Corpus Juris Civilis, in the following century.
The Seven Sleepers
On the fifth year of Theodosius II’s tenure, the seven sleepers woke up. Despite the fact that historians have no joint opinion about the incidents of the story, they agreed that it did happen. The names of the young men, however, were different in references. Yet, according to some documents, their names are: Maximilian, Martinianus, Exakostudianus, Yumbilicius, Dionysus, Antonius, and Constantinus (the father of John). Their story is as follows:
During the tenure of Diocletian, Christians were terribly persecuted. He ordered people to worship the idols lest they get killed (we mentioned this beforehand in articles dealing with persecution). His decree was implemented in the entirety of the empire. It came to pass that the emperor passed by Ephesus to see to the implementation of his decree. So, the believers fled, but the pagans reported whoever they knew. When the young men saw what was going on, they were saddened. They prayed to God. Though they were sons of Roman nobles, they were reported at the court. So, the emperor summoned them and demanded they worship idols. Maximilian answered on behalf of his friends, being the eldest, saying, “Our God’s glory fills heaven and earth. We always pray to Him.” These words infuriated the emperor. So, he insulted them, but gave them a chance to think and obey him. Then, he went to another city. The young men decided to take some money, give some to the poor and buy food with the rest. Then, they headed to a nearby cave to pray, meditate and beseech God to grant them enough wisdom and strength that they might face Diocletian bravely. It seems they had a dog that followed them until they reached the cave where they dedicated their time for prayer. One of them used to disguise himself to buy food and bring news. They remained this way for a while.
When Diocletian returned, he continued persecuting Christians. When the young men got to know, they got scared and prayed. Then they had a scant meal and fell into a deep sleep that resembled death. When Diocletian asked about them, he did not find them. He searched for them until he was guided to the cave where they were hiding. So, he ordered that the cave be locked so they might die from hunger and asphyxia. It is said that two of king’s page, who were secretly Christianized, wrote the young men’s account on a lead board with their names and placed it in a copper coffin which was buried beside them so the faithful might know their story.
Diocletian died and was followed by many Caesars. Then Theodosius II ascended the throne. At that time, a heresy, denying resurrection, spread. It was initiated by a bishop called Theodorus. Yet, God intervened: for it came to pass that as a shepherd was building a barn for his flock, he hired two workers who moved the stones from the door of the cave and opened it. Immediately, the young men came to life, as if they had been sleeping for a long time. They were unchanged. They thought it was still Diocletian’s time. They asked their friend to buy them food and inquire about Diocletian!
No sooner had their friend gone out, than he noticed that the city was completely changed. Nobody recognized him. So much so that he asked about the name of the city. He was told it was Ephesus. When he bought food and paid for it, the seller was astonished at the money. People thought the young man had found a treasure. So, they seized him and demanded to divide the treasure amongst them, lest they hand him to the governor. They arrested and led him to city chiefs, namely, Arsus and Justaphus. The two chiefs tried to know where the treasure was. So, they young man told them their story, and they headed to the cave. There, the two chiefs found the coffin and recognized the truth. They sent to king Theodosius, requesting his coming quickly. After his arrival, they slept once more, but until doomsday. The emperor ordered that golden coffins be made for them. Yet, they appeared to him and asked him to leave them in their cave until doomsday. This is one of the most famous incidents of that epoch. Noteworthy is that this story is known in Islam by the name of “Companions of the Cave”.
Theodosius’ Death
In 450, it came to pass that Theodosius went on a promenade on horseback. He fell off from it and died. He was succeeded by his sister Pulcheria and her husband Marcian. During Theodosius’ tenure, several heresies spread and the Pope of Alexandria, Cyril the Great, confronted them, which is why he had an ecumenical role in preserving faith. Messages from the four corners of the world reached him, seeking a clarification of the faith’s truths. So, he wrote several epistles for which he is famous. Pope Cyril and the Egyptian bishops defended faith in the Council of Ephesus in 431. Some people reported the Pope to Theodosius. So, he banished him. But, when the truth appeared, he was restored to his See and the congregation received him happily. He honored St. John Chrysostom and added his name to the saints’ names. He was succeeded by Pope Dioscorus, the twenty-fifth patriarch, and … Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
