Constantius

Constantius 

In ancient Rome:

Constantius I. (Flavius Valerius Constantius Chlorus; the nickname Chlorus means “the pale”). Born 264, in Illyria; died 306, in Eboracum, Britain. Emperor in 305–306.

Constantius I was the father of Constantine the Great. He rose to the position of military leader under Diocletian. In 293 he was named Caesar of the Western Empire. In 305, after the abdication of Diocletian, he received the title Augustus. Constantius I carried out campaigns against Germanic tribes and suppressed rebellion in Britain in 297.

Constantius II. (Flavius Julius Constantius). Born 317, in Sirmium; died 361, in Mopsucrenae, Cilicia. Emperor from 337 to 361 (Caesar from 324, Augustus from 337).

When the empire was divided among the sons of Constantine the Great in 337, Constantius II took Asia and Egypt and, later (339), the Balkan Peninsula. After the death of his brothers (Constantine II in 340 and Constans in 350) and his victory over the usurper Magnentius in 352, Constantius II restored unity to the empire and became the sole ruler (353). He strove to establish the political supremacy of Constantinople over Rome. His palace was noted for great splendor. The bureaucracy with its many spies played a significant role during his reign. He supported Arianism and banished those who upheld the Nicene Creed, including Athanasius of Alexandria. He closed pagan temples, confiscating their property, and forbade the offering of sacrifices. Constantius II died during a campaign against the Persians.

Constantius III. (Flavius Constantius). Died 421. General of Emperor Honorius. In 421 he was co-ruler with Honorius and bore the title Augustus.

REFERENCE

Stein, E. Histoire du Bas-Empire, vol. 1. Paris, 1959.

T. M. SHEPUNOVA