Page "Ambrose" Paragraph 20

Under Ambrose's major influence, emperors Gratian, Valentinian II and Theodosius I carried on a persecution of Paganism .< ref name = " MacMullen1984p100 "> MacMullen ( 1984 ) p. 100: ‘ The law of June 391, issued by Theodosius [...] was issued from Milan and represented the will of its bishop, Ambrose ; for Theodosius — recently excommunicated by Ambrose, penitent, and very much under his influence < sup > 43 </ sup > — was no natural zealot.

Ambrose, on the other hand, was very much a Christian.

His restless and imperious ambition for the church's growth, come what might for the non-Christians, is suggested by his preaching ’.

See also note 43 at p. 163, with references to Palanque ( 1933 ), Gaudemet ( 1972 ), Matthews ( 1975 ) and King ( 1961 )</ ref > Under Ambrose's influence, Theodosius issued the 391 " Theodosian decrees ," which with increasing intensity outlawed Pagan practises, and the Altar of Victory was removed by Gratian.

Ambrose prevailed upon Gratian, Valentinian and Theodosius to reject requests to restore the Altar.