Theodosius II

Eastern Roman emperor from 408. Grandson of Theodosius I, he was born in Constantinople and became ruler of the East after his father’s death. He had to face difficulties caused by the invasion of Vandals in North Africa and by the accession of Attila, north of the Danube. In 425 he founded the University of Constantinople and three years later appointed Nestorius patriarch of the city. This led to the Nestorian controversy which he did not welcome (see Nestorianism). He called the Council of Ephesus* in 431, published the Theodosian (Law) Code in 438, and refortified Constantinople in 447. He had great respect for Simeon the Stylite,* from whom he accepted advice. He died after a fall from a horse.