Arcadius [key], c.377–408, Roman emperor of the East (395–408), son and successor of Theodosius I. His brother, Honorius, inherited (395) the West. Henceforth the division between the Eastern and Western empires became permanent. A weak ruler, Arcadius entrusted the government successively to Rufinus, Eutropius (d.399), and other ministers and was later greatly influenced by his Frankish wife, Eudoxia. During his reign, Greece was invaded (395) by Alaric I who was induced to leave in 397 by Stilicho. Arcadius put down a temporarily successful revolt (399–400) of the Gothic officials and mercenaries in Constantinople. He exiled (404) the patriarch St. John Chrysostom. His son, Theodosius II, succeeded him.
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