Constantius, his triumphal entry into the ancient capital of the Roman
empire.

The orator, who may be silent without danger, may praise without
difficulty, and without reluctance; and posterity will confess, that
the character of Theodosius might furnish the subject of a sincere and
ample panegyric. The wisdom of his laws, and the success of his arms,
rendered his administration respectable in the eyes both of his
subjects and of his enemies. He loved and practised the virtues of
domestic life, which seldom hold their residence in the palaces of
kings. Theodosius was chaste and temperate; he enjoyed, without
excess, the sensual and social pleasures of the table; and the warmth
of his amorous passions was never diverted from their lawful objects.
The proud titles of Imperial greatness were adorned by the tender
names of a faithful husband, an indulgent father; his uncle was
raised, by his affectionate esteem, to the rank of a second parent:
Theodosius embraced, as his own, the children of his brother and
sister; and the expressions of his regard were extended to the most
distant and obscure branches of his numerous kindred. His familiar
friends were judiciously selected from among those persons, who, in
the equal intercourse of private life, had appeared before his eyes
without a mask; the consciousness of personal and superior merit
enabled him to despise the accidental distinction of the purple; and
he proved by his conduct, that he had forgotten all the injuries,
while he most gratefully remembered all the favors and services, which
he had received before he ascended the throne of the Roman empire. The
serious or lively tone of his conversation was adapted to the age, the
rank, or the character of his subjects, whom he admitted into his
society; and the affability of his manners displayed the image of his
mind. Theodosius respected the simplicity of the good and virtuous: