Chrysaphius
chief minister of Theodosius II
Years: 410 - 450
Chrysaphius is a eunuch at the Eastern Roman court, who becomes the chief minister of Theodosius II (r. 408–450).
Effectively the ruler of the empire during his ascendancy, he pursues a policy of appeasement towards the Huns, which costs the empire far more gold than any military campaign, while amassing a vast fortune in bribes himself.
He is depicted as a sinister figure in all the ancient accounts and is pilloried by Gibbon.
