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 Tamaro, 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 Pesaro. 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 Ataulfus 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 Constantius, 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.

Honorius I., the successor of Boniface V. to the see of Rome, was born in Campania, raised to the pontificate in A.D. 626, and died A.D. 638. The beginning of his pontificate was marked by the disturbances of the Welsh clergy, who resisted both the pretensions of the Bishop of Rome, and the erection of Canterbury and York into archbishoprics. Honorius has been accused of inclining towards the heresy of the Monothelites. The justice of the allegation has been denied by Baronius and others. Still the opinion that Honorius held on the subject was pronounced heresy in the 6th Council of Constantinople, A.D. 680. The existing letters of Honorius to Sergius, the patriarch of Constantinople, indicate a leaning towards Monothelism—i.e., the doctrine that our Lord had only a single will; yet Honorius was not disposed to press the question so as to raise discussion.

Honorius II. was born in the county of Bologna, and raised to the see of Rome A.D. 1124. He had been elected Bishop of Ostia by Pope Pascal. His name was Lambert de Fagnan. His elevation was opposed by the partizans of Tebald, who had been elected and invested with the pontifical robes. Tebald, however, withdrew when he saw a tumult arising. Honorius in effect, did the same, but was again invested by the cardinals. A dispute arose between Honorius and Roger Count of Sicily; and Robert Prince of Capua was induced by Honorius to oppose him, but Roger came off victorious. Honorius was no more successful in his interference with the Bishop of Paris. The bishop, wishing to introduce some reform, was opposed by the clergy and the king, Louis VI. The bishop put the royal lands under interdict. At first Honorius annulled the acts of the bishop; but owing to the powerful assistance of St Bernard, who supported the bishop, Honorius withdrew his opposition. He died A.D. 1130.

Honorius III., successor to Innocent III., was elected Pope A.D. 1216. His name was Cencio Savelli. He began at once to take part in the affairs of the East and the West. He assured the king of Jerusalem of his willingness to support the crusades. He wrote to the French bishops to kindle the ardour of the pilgrims, and promised the Emperor of the East his co-operation in subduing schism. He took part in the election of Peter of Courtenay, and crowned him Emperor of the West. Honorius was very anxious to organize a crusade to the Holy Land. Frederick II. was crowned for the express purpose of undertaking one, and promised, upon oath, to be ready in two years. But great difficulties were encountered, owing to the disturbed state of Europe. Spain and Portugal were devastated by the Moors, as well as by the wars of succession between the Houses of Castille and Leon. In the south of France there was already a crusade against the Albigeons; and differences existed between the House of Montfort and the Counts of Toulouse. Honorius died A.D. 1227, in the eleventh year of his pontificate, and without accomplishing anything important.

Honorius IV., succeeded Martin IV. in the Papal chair in A.D. 1285. His name was Giacomo Savelli. Having the gout both in his hands and feet, he is said to have required the help of instruments in celebrating mass. He induced Philippe-le-Hardi to wage war against Pedro of Aragon, who held Charles II. of Sicily in prison, but without succeeding. He died A.D. 1287.