Eugenius, when elected emperor in the West,…

Eugenius, when elected emperor in the West, had sent ambassadors to Theodosius's court, asking for recognition of his election.

Theodosius had received them, but started to gather troops to defeat Eugenius.

Theodosius leaves no further doubts as to his position when in January 393 he elevates his nine-year-old son Honorius to Augustus of the West and thereby demonstrates that he will no longer tolerate any emperor other than himself and his sons.

The now inevitable struggle for power is thus at the same time a struggle that will decide whether other religions will again be tolerated within the empire alongside Christianity.

Because Theodosius still refrains from military action, his enemies occupy Italy in the spring of 393.

Led by Roman prefect Nicomachus Flavianus, the forces striving to preserve the old cults gather around Eugenius.