Educational policy of Theodosius II and the fate of Auditorium of Constantinople

Abstract

The article considers the history of the Auditorium (5th – 6th centuries), often referred to as the University of Constantinople, from the perspective of the main policies of Theodosius II. Among them are comparatively gentle Christianisation, which combined a new creed with the elements of the old, pagan culture, and the project for the reunification of the two parts of the Empire on the basis of a general legislative framework (for which the Theodosian Code was compiled). The activity of Empress Eudocia, who probably used her position and connections in the then academic world in order to implement education reforms, is taken into account. A possible treatment of the Auditorium as the Christian antithesis of the Athenian Academy is discussed. The need to appeal to the pagan heritage for educational purposes is considered; the necessity to re-think it in Christian terms is put forward in the works of both Eudocia and other authors, such as Nonnus of Panopolis, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. The teaching staff of the Auditorium and its curriculum (which included rhetoric, Greek and Latin grammar, legal and philosophical subjects) are analyzed. It is concluded that the foundations laid by the educational policy of Theodosius II were of great importance for the further development of European culture.

Keywords

• Theodosius II
• Auditorium
• the University of Constantinople
• Capitolium
• Eudocia
• Justinian
• Helladius
• the Theodosian Code
• education