Count Theodosius

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Flavius Theodosius was a senior military officer serving in the Western Roman Empire. He held the rank of comes, and as such is usually referred to as Comes (Count) Theodosius. He is credited with being the founding member of the Theodosian dynasty.

He married Thermantia, by whom he had a son, also named Theodosius, at Cauca (modern Coca, Segovia) in Spain around 346. All three were Christians.

Theodosius was sent to Britannia in 368, to deal with a barbarian invasion of the Roman provinces in that island, which he dealt with successfully. On his return, he succeeded Jovinus as the magister equitum praesentalis, at the court of Emperor Valentinian I.

In 373, Theodosius was made commander of the expedition to suppress the rebellion of Firmus in Mauretania, but following his victory over Firmus, Theodosius was arrested, taken to Carthage, and executed in early 375. The reasons for his execution are not clear.

After a period of retirement on the family estates in Gallicia, his son Theodosius was elevated to Emperor January 19, 379.

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