Massacre of Thessalonica

  • The Massacre of Thessalonica (April 390 CE) was an execution of 7,000 of the town’s population by order of the Emperor Theodosius I (379-395 CE)

Description

  • Theodosius I gave the order in retaliation for a Riot in which Butheric, the Gothic Magister Militum of Illyricum, had been killed along with other Roman Officials.
  • Theodosius I was obliged to apologise to Ambrose (340-397 CE) the Bishop of Milan, and repent.
  • Ambrose ordered Theodosius I to pass a new Edict ensuring a 30 day delay was given before a death sentence could be carried out.

 

Thessalonica

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