The following excerpt is from F. Homes Dudden, _The Life and Times of St.
Ambrose_ (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1935), pp. 438-9.
Meanwhile for the Emperor at Milan the sands were rapidly running out. The
anxiety and fatigue of the recent campaign had proved too severe even for
his strong constitudon. He was taken ill with a dropsy. A spell of
exceptionally inclement weather may have aggravated his malady. Earthquake
shocks were felt, incessant fogs shrouded the city in gloom, and for weeks
together the rain dripped monotonously. Amid this melancholy dusk and
dampness Theodosius grew steadily weaker, and, recollecting the prophecy of
John of Lycopolis, became convinced that he would not recover. His remaining
energy was applied to the business of providing for the future of the
Empire. He arranged that Arcadius should rule the Eastern part and Honorius
the Western, and nominated Stilicho though not formally by a legal
instrument--as guardian of the two inexperienced Augusti. For his sons he
dictated an instruction, in which he earnestly admonished them to be zealous
for religion; ?for it is by this?, he said, ?that wars are ended, victories
are obtained, and peace is secured?. He gave directions for the proclamation
of an amnesty to those who had taken arms against him in the recent war, and
ordered the recession of a tax which he had promised, but had hitherto
neglected, to abolish. By the time that these matters were settled, the
Emperor's strength was almost exhausted. The pleasurable excitement of
welcoming his younger son on his arrival in Milan produced a temporary
rally. Indeed he felt so much better that he gave orders for an exhibition
of games in the Hippodrome, and himself watched the morning races from the
imperial box. After the dinner-interval, however, he became violently ill,
and sent Honorius to represent him at the races in the afternoon. He died
in the course of the ensuing night, on the 17th of January, A.D. 395, being
then (as seems probable) only in the fiftieth year of his age, and having
reigned sixteen years all but two days. Ambrose was with him at the end,
and testifies that his last thoughts were for the welfare of the Churches.
It was decided that the corpse should be conveyed to Constantinople, and
there interred in the ornate Church of the Apostles. [Here Theodosius was
buried on the 8th of November.] First, however, it was embalmed, and for
forty days lay in state on a lofty purple-draped couch in the atrium of the
palace at Milan. On the fortieth day--Sunday the 25th of February, A.D.
395--a solemn Eucharist was celebrated in the cathedrals and, in the
presence of Honorius and the general staff, Ambrose pronounced the funeral
oration.
Ambrose_ (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1935), pp. 438-9.
Meanwhile for the Emperor at Milan the sands were rapidly running out. The
anxiety and fatigue of the recent campaign had proved too severe even for
his strong constitudon. He was taken ill with a dropsy. A spell of
exceptionally inclement weather may have aggravated his malady. Earthquake
shocks were felt, incessant fogs shrouded the city in gloom, and for weeks
together the rain dripped monotonously. Amid this melancholy dusk and
dampness Theodosius grew steadily weaker, and, recollecting the prophecy of
John of Lycopolis, became convinced that he would not recover. His remaining
energy was applied to the business of providing for the future of the
Empire. He arranged that Arcadius should rule the Eastern part and Honorius
the Western, and nominated Stilicho though not formally by a legal
instrument--as guardian of the two inexperienced Augusti. For his sons he
dictated an instruction, in which he earnestly admonished them to be zealous
for religion; ?for it is by this?, he said, ?that wars are ended, victories
are obtained, and peace is secured?. He gave directions for the proclamation
of an amnesty to those who had taken arms against him in the recent war, and
ordered the recession of a tax which he had promised, but had hitherto
neglected, to abolish. By the time that these matters were settled, the
Emperor's strength was almost exhausted. The pleasurable excitement of
welcoming his younger son on his arrival in Milan produced a temporary
rally. Indeed he felt so much better that he gave orders for an exhibition
of games in the Hippodrome, and himself watched the morning races from the
imperial box. After the dinner-interval, however, he became violently ill,
and sent Honorius to represent him at the races in the afternoon. He died
in the course of the ensuing night, on the 17th of January, A.D. 395, being
then (as seems probable) only in the fiftieth year of his age, and having
reigned sixteen years all but two days. Ambrose was with him at the end,
and testifies that his last thoughts were for the welfare of the Churches.
It was decided that the corpse should be conveyed to Constantinople, and
there interred in the ornate Church of the Apostles. [Here Theodosius was
buried on the 8th of November.] First, however, it was embalmed, and for
forty days lay in state on a lofty purple-draped couch in the atrium of the
palace at Milan. On the fortieth day--Sunday the 25th of February, A.D.
395--a solemn Eucharist was celebrated in the cathedrals and, in the
presence of Honorius and the general staff, Ambrose pronounced the funeral
oration.