--- title: Map of the Roman Empire under Theodosius the Great, c.395: The Last Unified Roman Empire author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21558/map-of-the-roman-empire-under-theodosius-the-great/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-01-29 --- # Map of the Roman Empire under Theodosius the Great, c.395: The Last Unified Roman Empire _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Roman Empire under Theodosius the Great, c.395: The Last Unified Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21558.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21558.png) ## Image Caption A map of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) under Theodosius I “the Great” (reign 379–395 CE). His reign marked a decisive turning point in [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) imperial history, bringing together political reunification, religious transformation, and institutional strain at the very moment the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) reached its last phase of formal unity. Elevated as emperor in the East after the disaster of Adrianople (378 CE), Theodosius spent much of his reign stabilizing the Balkans, managing frontier pressures, and negotiating the integration of Gothic groups into the imperial system as foederati, a pragmatic response to military shortages that reshaped Roman governance. Through civil wars against rival emperors in the West (383–388; 394 CE), he restored imperial unity, but at the cost of increased militarization and reliance on regional power brokers. Equally transformative was Theodosius’ role in redefining the ideological foundations of the empire. With the Edict of [Thessalonica](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thessalonica/) (380 CE), Nicene [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) became the official state [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/), followed by legislation restricting public pagan practice (391–392 CE). These measures accelerated the fusion of imperial authority with Christian orthodoxy, reshaping [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/), identity, and political legitimacy. Upon Theodosius’ [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) in 395 CE, the empire was divided between his sons, Arcadius in the East (reign 395–408 CE) and Honorius in the West (reign 395–423 CE), a division that proved permanent. While the [Eastern Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) retained administrative resilience and strategic depth, the Western Empire entered a period of rapid fragmentation. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, January 29). Map of the Roman Empire under Theodosius the Great, c.395: The Last Unified Roman Empire. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Roman Empire under Theodosius the Great, c.395: The Last Unified Roman Empire." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 29, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Roman Empire under Theodosius the Great, c.395: The Last Unified Roman Empire." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Jan 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 29 January 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.