Byzantine Empire under the Theodosian dynasty

Roman Empire Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων (Ancient Greek) Imperium Romanum (Latin)
379–457
Chi Rho (see Byzantine insignia)
The territory of the Eastern Roman Empire, with the Western Roman Empire depicted in orange, at the beginning of Theodosius I's reign.
Capital	Constantinople
Common languages	Latin, Greek
Government	Monarchy
Emperor
• 379–395	Theodosius I
• 395–408	Arcadius
• 408–450	Theodosius II
• 450–457	Marcian
History
• accession of Theodosius I	19 January 379
• death of Marcian	January 457
Preceded by Succeeded by Byzantine Empire under the Constantinian and Valentinianic dynasties Byzantine Empire under the Leonid dynasty

Part of a series on the
History of the Byzantine Empire
Preceding
Roman Empire Dominate
Early period (330–717)
Tetrarchy era Constantinian–Valentinianic era (Constantinian dynasty – Valentinianic dynasty) Theodosian era Leonid era Justinian era Heraclian era Twenty Years' Anarchy
Middle period (717–1204)
Isaurian era Nikephorian era Amorian era Macedonian era Doukid era Komnenian era Angelid era
Late period (1204–1453)
Fourth Crusade and Latin rule Latin Empire Principality of Achaea others Byzantine successor states Nicaea Epirus/Thessalonica Trebizond Theodoro Palaiologan era Despotate of the Morea Decline of the Byzantine Empire Fall of Constantinople
Timeline
By topic
Art Government Economy Army Navy
Byzantine Empire portal
v t e

The Eastern Roman Empire was ruled by the Theodosian dynasty from 379, the accession of Theodosius I, to 457, the death of Marcian. The rule of the Theodosian dynasty saw the final East-West division of the Roman Empire, between Arcadius and Honorius in 395. Whilst divisions of the Roman Empire had occurred before, the Empire would never again be fully reunited. The reign of the sons of Theodosius I contributed heavily to the crisis that under the fifth century eventually resulted in the complete collapse of the western Roman court.

The Eastern Empire was largely spared the difficulties faced by the West in the third and fourth centuries, due in part to a more firmly established urban culture and greater financial resources, which allowed it to placate invaders with tribute and pay foreign mercenaries. Throughout the fifth century, various invading armies overran the Western Empire but spared the east.

The Theodosian dynasty also ruled the Western Roman Empire from 392 to 455 AD.