Stilicho: Virtuous Vandal, Defender of Rome

This the introduction of an article I wrote recently about a Late Roman commander, Flavius Stilicho. Stilicho was ethnically a Vandal, but he gained the trust of Emperor Theodosius and ultimately ruled the western part of the Roman Empire for 12 years. Quite an intriguing personality. The article has been published in the memorial volume dedicated to Alexandru Matei (Horea Pop and Dan Bacuet-Crisan, editors).

“He commanded all nations looked on by the rising and setting sun” (Claudian CS I, 160-161).

I. Introduction. Late Antiquity represents one of the most complex moments in Roman history. The period between the late Severan period and the so-called fall of the Western Roman Empire witnessed a considerable amount of social, political, and military upheaval: Romans fought other Romans; Romans fought “barbarians”;[1] “barbarian” groups fought other “barbarian” groups to defend themselves or to assist Rome; Christians waged war on Paganism and amongst themselves; and so forth. This period, however, is perhaps best characterized as a time marked by existential crisis and transition. Following a long period of stability between Augustus and Septimius Severus, the inhabitants of the Roman Empire began to lose a sense of what “Rome” stood for.

Students of Roman history are well aware that the “Rome” of Late Antiquity was not the same “Rome” during the Age of Augustus. The Roman Empire was already an ethnic melting pot by the mid 2^nd century AD and by the 3^rd century the Army had essentially equaled or superseded the Senatus Popolusque Romanus as the chief political institution. Even prior to Caracalla’s decree in AD 212 granting citizenship to most free-born people residing within the confines of the Empire, “Romans” were ethnically German, Spanish, Libyan, Syrian, Thracian, etc. as well as Italian. By the 3^rd century, the Empire began to fragment for both positive and negative reasons and Diocletian formed the Tetrarchy to counter the increasing dissent and dissolution. Despite a good concept, the Tetrarchy was not effective for very long and, coupled with the treachery and infighting that began in the 3^rd century, actually prompted the net division between West and East.

            There were changes beyond the European borders of the Roman Empire as well. Following a relative peace between the Romans and native European groups in the 1^st and 2^nd centuries, the “barbarians” began to take advantage of the Romans’ inner struggles, putting pressure on the borders and eventually claiming pieces of the Empire. Some cultures were more hostile than others, whilst some groups became allies of Rome and even helped Rome fend off the incursions of other “barbarian” groups. Many “barbarians” joined the Roman army and learned the benefits of Roman civilization; many native elites developed amicable relationships with high-ranking Roman officials, including the Emperor. This is the context we need to bear in mind when considering the deeds and character of Stilicho, an ethnic Vandal who appears to have had a clear understanding of what “Rome” signified and what values a Roman man should follow.[2]

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[1] The term “barbarian” is used for a matter of convenience and refers to both the native European cultures that co-existed with the Romans and the eastern migratory/invading populations, such as the Huns.

[2] For strong overviews of this complex period, see Bury 1923; Heather 1991.