Eutropius, consul of East Roman Emperor Arcadius

Eutropius, d. 399, consul of East Roman Emperor Arcadius. A eunuch of the palace, he brought about the marriage (395) of Arcadius and Eudoxia and succeeded Rufinus as chief minister. He repelled (398) an invasion of Huns and was the first eunuch to be appointed (399) consul. He was hated for his cruelty and avarice; his fall, however, was caused by the enmity of Gaïnas, the leader of the Gothic mercenaries, and Eudoxia. Although at first his life was spared through the influence of St. John Chrysostom, he was later executed.

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