A year after the defeat at Hadrianopolis, Emperor Gratian (375-383) appointed the talented military leader Theodosius as his co-ruler in 379. In 380 Gratian, Valentinian II (375-392) and Theodosius I decreed Christianity which adopted the creed of Nicaea asserting the sameness in essence of Christ and God, to be the state religion of the Roman Empire. Theodosius banned practising of pagan rituals in 391. He became sole ruler in 394. He was the last emperor who had success in uniting the Roman Empire. After his death his two minor sons Arcadius (395-408) and Honorius (395-423) inherited the empire, which was divided into two.