CHAPTER I

ANTHEMIUS THE PRÆTORIAN PRÆFECT ADMINISTERS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EAST IN BEHALF OF YOUNG THEODOSIUS

AFTER the death of Arcadius, his brother Honorius still governed the Western parts of the empire; but the administration of the East devolved on his son Theodosius junior, then only eight years old. The management of public affairs was therefore entrusted to Anthemius the Prætorian præfect, grandson of that Philip who in the reign of Constantius ejected Paul from the see of Constantinople, and established Macedonius in his place. By his directions the imperial city was surrounded with high walls. He was justly esteemed the most prudent man of his time, and seldom did any thing unadvisedly, but consulted with the most judicious of his friends respecting all practical matters; Troïlus the sophist was more especially his counsellor, who while excelling in philosophical attainments, was not inferior to Anthemius himself in political wisdom. Almost all things were therefore done with the concurrence of Troïlus.