WI Stilicho deposes the young Theodosius II in 408?

In 408, Emperor Arcadius died, and Honorius wanted to journey East to settle the succession of the Eastern Empire. Stilicho forbade it and suggested that he go instead. Soon emerged that Stilicho wanted to place his son on the Eastern throne. Following that rumour (which had a basis), a mutiny of the army was staged by Olympius, a Roman bureaucrat, wherein most of Stilicho's appointees were killed. Having persuaded Honorius that Stilicho was an enemy of the state, Olympius was appointed Magister Officiorum. Stilicho, who was taking refuge in a church, was arrested and executed.
WI Stilicho did journey to the East deposed Theodosius II and raised his son as Eastern Roman Emperor? What happens then? How is that altering History? Any thoughts?
 
Stilitcho builds a stronger ERE and crushes Alaric. Later, war erupts with Honoring and with the resources of the ERE and his ow n brain against the nitwit Honoring, Stilitcho installs his son as ruler of the entire empire. Later, the west falls but the stronger ERE eventually rd-takes t. Damn you, Honorius!!!!!Extra damns to Olympius!!!!!!!
 
Okay, Stilicho is not stupid enough to do that. At this point anyway, Stilicho is in a lose lose situation. He's done for. If he lets Honorius go, then the Eastern Court, which hates Stilicho btw, is likely going to persuade Honorius to have Stilicho killed.
If Stilicho goes, you have the rumors, plus he's leaving Honorius alone back Italy where the Senate, which is full of people who hate Stilicho, is going to likely control Honorius and get him to get rid of Stilicho. Plus, leaving the west in the hands of a complete incompetent like honorius is not the best of situations.

If they both go, then the west is really left screwed, so that's not an option. Any Stilicho succeeds TL has to start earlier, the latest probably being the invasions of 405-406 and the rebellion of Constantine III happening almost simultaneously. They wrecked Stilicho's popularity and any chance he had at keeping his position. If you have the Franks stop the crossing of the Rhine in 405-406 (which they very nearly did), and have the legions in Britain dilly dally (as they did when the previous two usurpers sat there and remained extremely cautious before the legions killed the first, then the second, and then finally Constantine III actually acted), then Stilicho remains in an unassailable position.

But I just don't see why Stilicho would be stupid enough to place his son on the eastern throne. If there was even the slightest chance at his survival at that point, attempting that would guarantee his death. Plus it goes counter to everything Stilicho stood for: he stood for doing whatever he thought was best for the empire, and not for himself. So much so, that he practically handed himself over to the authorities against the protests of his men, rather than risk civil war, even though he knew full well they were going to execute him.
 
I agree... Stilicho was screwed by then... He didnt even have to leave Italy and Honorius was freed of his control and switched sides by being persuaded that Stilicho was a traitor... I guess that his marriage to Serina backfired and from a source of power it became his doom as Stilicho's son wasa nephew to both Emperors something that gain them even more enemies in both empires... In any way if he had managed to make his son Eastern Emperor he would have pulled a Romulus Augustulus case only this time in the East and although east wouldnt have fallen to barbarians it would have been severely weakened...
 
Well I still think Honorius was more or less forced into killing Stilicho. I'm not too sure he wanted to. The soldiers around him were on the verge of killing Honorius if he didn't order Stilicho's execution.
 
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