On This Day in Ancient History - The Games Go on

Photo of Coin of Theodosius I © Trustees of the British Museum, produced by Natalia Bauer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme

In ancient Rome, the ludi Romani (Roman games) continued. It is the anniversary of the 394 A.D. victory of Emperor Theodosius (January 11, 347 - January 17, 395) at the Battle of the Frigidus. There Theodosius defeated the Emperor Eugenius, who had been ruling the Roman Empire in the West. With the defeat, Theodosius the Great became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire one final time -- from then on, all emperors would rule only part. The victory on the part of a Christian emperor also sealed the fate of paganism.

This day was also considered the birthday of the Hindu deity Krishna.

Related:

• Ancient Rome in Pictures
• Decay as a Reason for the Fall of Rome
• Dates of the Roman Emperors
• This Day in Ancient History: Year Calendar
• Roman Provinces