Storia della decadenza e rovina dell'impero romano, volume 06

In the late fourth century the Roman world stands at a crossroads, newly split between the sons of Emperor Theodosius. Arcadius, barely an adult, presides over the eastern provinces from Constantinople, while his younger brother Honorius, still a child, holds the western lands from Ravenna. The description follows their fragile rule, the loyalty pledged by senators, clergy and soldiers, and the looming tension as inexperienced monarchs inherit an empire stretched from the Danube to Persia.

Against this backdrop, powerful courtiers such as the ambitious minister Rufinus and the seasoned general Stilicho maneuver for influence, shaping policies and military responses. A notable flashpoint emerges in Africa, where the rebel Gildo challenges imperial authority, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation. The narrative weaves together political intrigue, youthful ambition, and the fragile balance that holds the Roman world together in this turbulent era.