Valentinian Marries Eudoxia

The emperor had a daughter named Eudoxia by his wife, the empress Eudocia. Theodosius’s cousin Valentinian, whom he had appointed emperor of the West, asked for her hand in marriage. The emperor Theodosius agreed to this proposal, and they consulted together about a place on the frontiers of the two empires where it would be best to celebrate the marriage. It was decided that both parties should go to Thessalonica, which is about halfway, for this purpose. But Valentinian sent word that he would not put Theodosius to the trouble of coming, for he himself would go to Constantinople. So, having secured the western regions with a sufficient guard, he went there for his wedding, which was celebrated in the consulship of Isidore and Sinator. After this he returned with his wife to the West. Such was the happy event of that time. [a]