Thomas Brauch: Spain and the Young Emperor Theodosius I

     Modern research no longer considers Theodosius I to be a Spanish emperor. According to revisionist opinion, Theodosius grew up outside Spain in army camps following his father's military career. Hence, Spain's religious atmosphere did not influence Theodosius nor did Spain contribute to his religious program as emperor.     Against this view the present speaker will argue that Theodosius spent his formative years as a civilian in Spain and that his youthful Spanish experience affected his religious policy as emperor. Considering his upbringing, Theodosius came from Spanish provincial aristocracy for whom the family estate and its society were the focus of boyhood preparation for aristocratic life. At his Spanish birthplace near Cauca, Theodosius received a formal education and learned the customs of elite Roman society, including amicitia. Ancient sources testify to Theodosius' civilian formation, especially his education. Theodosius entered the Roman army in his late teens as the son of a veteran. Because of his rearing in Spain, Theodosius should be considered a Spanish emperor.     Spain also influenced Theodosius' imperial religious policy. As emperor, Theodosius favored the Novatianists and Luciferians because they accepted the Nicene Creed and because he appreciated their Christian rigorism. Theodosius defended these schismatic sects from his laws against Christian dissidents and permitted a Luciferian prelate to teach his family. The best explanation for Theodosius' favoritism of these two groups is that he grew up in Spain where the contemporary Nicene Church and laity displayed rigorist attitudes. Historians have failed to assess properly Theodosius' interests in Nicene rigorism.