Civilization: Roman Empire
Ruler: Theodosius I
Mint: Aquileia
Year: 379-395 AD
Composition: Bronze
Denomination: Follis
Diameter: 23.0mm
Weight: 5.1g
Reference: Aquileia RIC IX 30d; Cohen 27; Vienna 191784.

Obverse
DN THEODO-SIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse
REPARATIO REIPVB, Theodosius standing left, holding Victory on globe and with right hand raising a kneeling female. Mintmark SMAQP

Theodosius I (reigned 379–395 AD), also known as Theodosius the Great, was the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire. His reign was a pivotal period in late antiquity, characterized by the Christianization of the empire, military challenges, and administrative reforms.

Born in Hispania, Theodosius rose to power during a time of crisis. Following the disastrous Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD, which saw the Eastern Roman army defeated by Gothic forces, he was appointed emperor of the East. Theodosius successfully negotiated with the Goths, settling them as foederati within the empire—a precedent with long-term implications.

A devout Christian, Theodosius made Nicene Christianity the state religion through the Edict of Thessalonica (380 AD) and took steps to suppress pagan practices, effectively ending traditional Greco-Roman polytheism. He convened the First Council of Constantinople (381 AD), solidifying orthodox Christian doctrine.

Theodosius also reunited the empire briefly in 394 AD after defeating the usurper Eugenius at the Battle of the Frigidus. However, his death in 395 AD led to the permanent division of the empire between his sons, Honorius (West) and Arcadius (East), marking the start of the Byzantine and Western Roman distinctions.