HONORIUS, FLAVIUS, son of Theodosius the Great, was born, probably at Constantinople, A.D. 384. His elder brother Arcadius was Emperor of the East, and in A.D. 395 Honorius himself came into possession of the West. Being only in his eleventh year, Stilicho, an able and ambitious general, was made guardian to the young prince. He fought the battles of the empire against the countless hordes of barbarians who now poured down from the north. In A.D. 398 Stilicho's daughter Maria was married to Honorius, but they were both mere children. The close of the century was marked by the efforts to destroy paganism within the empire. All temples, altars, and property of any kind, used in the service of paganism were ordered to be demolished. During the first years of the fifth century Stilicho was occupied in driving back the hordes of Alaric. The latter was routed on the Tanaro, and driven across the Alps. About A.D. 404 the cruel exhibitions of gladiators were suppressed in Rome. The frequent ravages committed by the Goths, Huns, Alans, and other tribes, induced Honorius to change the seat of government from Milan to the strong fortress of Ravenna. He had scarcely done so when Rhadagaisus appeared in Italy with several hundred thousand barbarians, ravaging all before them. They were ably met, however, and defeated by Stilicho at Fesulae. Gaul was next ravaged by the barbarians, including Vandals, Sueves, and Alans; and Stilicho is suspected of having been concerned in instigating them to this step. Meanwhile great confusion was created in Britain. The troops revolted, and appointed successively three emperors. The last of these, named Constantine, passed into Gaul, and defeated the forces sent against him. Honorius now became suspicious of Stilicho. The emperor wished to marry Thermantia, Stilicho's other daughter (Maria being dead), but Stilicho objected. Moreover the empire of the East had devolved upon a child, and it was thought that Stilicho wished to get the guardianship of the East as he had had of the West. He and several other officers were seized and put to death. Whether Stilicho cherished any traitorous designs or not, it is certain that his death was an irreparable loss to the empire. Alaric now came and besieged Rome itself, A.D. 408. In the following year he took it, and appointed Attalus emperor. Shortly after Rome was plundered by Alaric. Constantine, the usurper, having surrendered on condition of having his life spared, Honorius broke faith, and had him put to death. Ataulphus, the successor of Alaric, married Placidia, the sister of Honorius, and made a treaty with Honorius. After the death of Ataulphus, Placidia was married to Constantine, the colleague of Honorius in the consulship. Honorius was thirteen times consul. He died of dropsy, A.D. 423, in the twenty-ninth year of his reign, at the age of thirty-nine.