Dhatusena vs Theodosius the Great

Dhatusena restored the Mahavihara, the main Buddhist monastery in Anuradhapura, which had been damaged during the reign of Mahasena. This act reaffirmed his support for Theravada Buddhism.

Dhatusena constructed the Kalawewa tank, a massive irrigation reservoir in the North Central Province. The tank, with a circumference of over 30 miles, was a major engineering feat and provided water for extensive rice cultivation.

Dhatusena built the Yoda Ela, a 54-mile-long canal that connected the Kalawewa tank to the Tissa Wewa tank in Anuradhapura. This canal ensured a reliable water supply to the capital and surrounding farmlands.

Dhatusena was assassinated by his son Kashyapa, who seized the throne. Kashyapa had Dhatusena walled up alive after the king refused to reveal the location of hidden treasure.

Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, declaring Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire. All other Christian sects were deemed heretical, and pagan practices were increasingly suppressed.

Theodosius ordered a massacre in Thessalonica after a riot killed a Roman official. Thousands of citizens were killed in the circus. Bishop Ambrose of Milan excommunicated Theodosius until he performed public penance.

Theodosius defeated the usurper Eugenius and his general Arbogast at the Battle of the Frigidus. The victory reunited the Roman Empire under Theodosius's rule for the last time before its permanent division.

Upon his death, Theodosius divided the Roman Empire between his sons: Arcadius received the East and Honorius the West. This division became permanent, leading to the separate development of the Byzantine and Western Roman Empires.