Eutropius
Eutropius was a notable figure in the late Roman Empire, recognized for his rise from former slave—possibly of Armenian origin and a eunuch—to a position of significant power as the grand chamberlain for Emperor Arcadius. Serving under Theodosius the Great, Eutropius was involved in court politics, notably consulting a holy man in Egypt regarding military matters. Following Theodosius's death in 395 CE, he maneuvered politically to eliminate rivals, including the praetorian prefect Rufinus, and became a key advisor to the young emperor Arcadius, wielding considerable influence in the Eastern Empire.
His tenure included military victories over the Huns and strategic alliances, such as with Alaric I the Goth, aimed at countering Western power. In 399 CE, Eutropius achieved the consulship, a remarkable feat for someone of his background. However, his influence faced challenges, particularly from Empress Eudoxia and notable figures like Gainas and Aurelian. Ultimately, Eutropius's political career was marked by dramatic shifts, leading to his overthrow, exile, and eventual execution. His story reflects the complexities of power dynamics in the imperial court, especially regarding the roles of former slaves and eunuchs in a predominantly aristocratic society.
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Eutropius
Related civilization: Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Grand chamberlain, consul
Life
Eutropius (yoo-TROH-pee-uhs) was a former slave, possibly of Armenian origin, and a eunuch. He had been a chamberlain and a court eunuch for Theodosius the Great and was once sent to consult an ascetic holy man in Egypt about that emperor’s forthcoming battle with the usurper Eugenius. After Theodosius’s death in early 395 c.e., Eutropius outmaneuvered Rufinus, praetorian prefect of the East, who was murdered later that year, and then, as grand chamberlain (praepositus sacri cubiculi) for the young emperor Arcadius, Eutropius became the most influential man in the Eastern Empire for the next several years. He defeated the Huns and allied with Alaric I the Goth as a move against Flavius Stilicho, the most influential man in the West (under the emperor Honorius, Arcadius’s even younger brother). In 399 c.e., he became consul. Eudoxia, Arcadius’s wife, was trying to lessen Eutropius’s influence with her husband. Some reactions to Eutropius’s consulship were negative, a fact exploited by Stilicho, resulting in the strong opposition of the general Gainas and the senator Aurelian. Soon Eutropius was overthrown, exiled, recalled, and killed.
Influence
Although former slaves and even eunuchs had long been influential in the imperial court, none before Eutropius had ever reached the consulship. One measure of his influence and power is the violent invective written against him by the poet Claudian.
Bibliography
Long, Jacqueline. Claudian’s “In Eutropium”: Or, How, When, and Why to Slander a Eunuch. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996.