Honorius
Early Life
Honorius was born on 9 September 384, during the reign of his father, Theodosius the Great. His mother was Theodosius' first wife, Aelia Flaccilla. He was named after his grandfather, Honorius the Elder. Honorius was the younger brother of Arcadius, who was seven years his senior.
Accession
Upon the death of Theodosius in 395, Honorius and Arcadius were declared co-emperors. At the time of his father's death, Honorius was only ten years old, and therefore too young to rule on his own. As a result, the actual power was held by others - first by the magister militum Stilicho, and later by other senior court officials.
Reign
Honorius' reign was marked by a series of military failures and crises, including the sack of Rome in 410 by the Visigoths under their king Alaric. This event marked a significant decline in the power and prestige of the Western Roman Empire.
Military Campaigns
Honorius' reign was marked by constant warfare. The Western Roman Empire was under constant threat from various Germanic tribes, including the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, and others. Despite the efforts of Stilicho and other military commanders, the Western Roman Empire was unable to stem the tide of invasions.
Later Life and Death
Honorius died on 15 August 423, after a reign of 28 years. His death marked the end of the Theodosian dynasty.
Legacy
Honorius' reign is generally viewed by historians as a period of decline for the Western Roman Empire. His inability to effectively deal with the various threats facing the empire, coupled with his reliance on others to rule, contributed to the weakening of the empire and its eventual fall.