Eutropios

   Grand chamberlain (praepositus sacri cubiculi [q.v.]) for Arkadios (q.v.). He plotted with Stilicho (q.v.) to have Gainas (q.v.) assassinate their mutual archrival Rufinus (q.v.). (Claudian's [q.v.] Against Rufinus, an attempt to exonerate his patron Stilicho in this matter, is sheer propaganda.) With Rufinus out of the way, and the weak-willed Arkadios totally under the influence of Eutropios, the eunuch's (q.v.) powers increased enormously. He took personal command of an army in 398 that drove the Huns (q.v.) from Cappadocia and Pontus (qq.v.) back across the Caucasus (q.v.). Despite this success, he alienated the Gothic army commanders Tribigild and Gainas (qq.v.), who demanded that Arkadios depose him. The empress Eudoxia (q.v.) seconded this demand and Arkadios was forced to exile Eutropios to Cyprus (q.v.). Subsequently he was executed.