Most of the last vestiges of official paganism were eliminated during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius, including eliminating privileges for the Vestal Virgins and removal of the altar of Victory from the Senate house. Even at this date, however, there was resistance from pagan elements of the Senate. Symmachus pleaded with the emperor (unsuccessfully) against St. Ambrose for the restoration of the altar. Interestingly, both sides argued more in practical than theological terms:

Who is so allied to the barbarians as not to demand the altar of Victory? A place of honor should at least be returned to the name (nomen) if not to the spirit (numen). Your eternal reputation already owes much to Victory and will come to owe still more. Others who do not benefit from it may shun this power, but...