Constans
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| Constans | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of the Roman Empire | |
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| Bronze coin bearing the profile of Constans |
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| Reign | 337 - 350, joint with Constantius II and Constantine II, then only with Constantius II |
| Full name | Flavius Julius Constans |
| Born | 320 |
| somewhere | |
| Died | 350 |
| southeastern Gaul | |
| Predecessor | Constantine I |
| Successor | Magnentius |
| Dynasty | Constantinian |
| Father | Constantine I |
| Mother | Fausta |
Flavius Julius Constans (320 - 350), was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 337 to 350. Constans was the third and youngest son of Constantine I and Fausta, Constantine's second wife.
From 337, he was a joint ruler with his brothers Constantius II and Constantine II. Constantine II attempted to take advantage of his youth and inexperience by invading Italy in 340, but Constans defeated Constantine II at Aquileia, where the older brother died.
In 341-2, Constans led a successful campaign against Franks.
The writer Julius Firmicus Maternus mentioned that Constans visited Britain,the last reigning monarch to do so, in the early months of 343, but did not explain why. The speed of his trip, paired with the fact he crossed the English Channel during the dangerous winter months, suggests it was in response to a military emergency of some kind, historians say that it could have been to repel the Picts and Scots
Most of the Constantinian dynasty members were interested somehow in religion. Constans promulgated an edict banning Pagan sacrifices in 341. In the contrast between the Nicene and Arian factions, Constans supported the former, while Constantius the latter. Constans even called the Council of Serdica to settle the conflict between the Orthodox Athanasius of Alexandria and the Arian Paul of Constantinople.
In 350, the general Magnentius declared himself emperor with the support of the troops on the Rhine frontier, and later the entire Western portion of the Roman Empire. Constans lacked any support beyond his immediate household, and was forced to flee for his life. Magnentius' supporters cornered him in a fortification in southeastern Gaul, where he was killed.
[edit] External links
- DiMaio, Michael, "Constans I (337-350 A.D.)", De Imperatoribus Romanis site.
| Preceded by Constantine I |
Roman Emperor 337-350 with Constantius II and Constantine II |
Succeeded by Constantius II |
