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SUBSCRIBE TO THE SCRIPTA MANENT NEWSLETTER https://scriptamanentitalia.it/newsle... The Battle of the Frigidus, fought on 5-6 September 394 AD, was a decisive clash between the army of the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I and the forces of the Western usurper Eugenius, supported by the magister militum Arbogaste. The conflict took place in the valley of the Frigidus River, near the present-day border between Italy and Slovenia. Theodosius, eager to consolidate his power and restore the unity of the Roman Empire under the Orthodox Christian faith, faced Eugenius, who had been proclaimed emperor with the support of the pagans and part of the Roman aristocracy. Theodosius' army was composed largely of barbarian federated troops, including the Visigoths led by Alaric. The battle took place in difficult conditions, with bad weather playing a crucial role. The first day of fighting saw Theodosius's troops suffer heavy losses. However, during the night, Theodosius is said to have had a divine vision that promised him victory. The following day, a sudden windstorm blew against Eugenius's forces, disorganizing them and allowing Theodosius to win a decisive victory. The defeat and death of Eugenius marked the end of the last great pagan resistance against Christianity in the Roman Empire. Theodosius became sole emperor and worked to strengthen Christian orthodoxy, issuing edicts against paganism and heresies. The Battle of Frigidus is considered a turning point that consolidated Christianity as the dominant religion in the empire. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Pagans versus Christians 06:42 Eugene versus Theodosius 13:43 The religious side of the battle 17:18 The march of Theodosius 21:40 The battle of the Frigidus 25:30 The Christian victory 31:07 The consequences for the empire