Constans (A.D. 320?-350) was the youngest son of the Roman emperor Constantine I, also called Constantine the Great, and his second wife, Fausta. Constans ruled the Roman Empire jointly with his brothers Constantine II and Constantius II during the A.D. 300’s.
Flavius Julius Constans was born about 320. Constantine I made his sons Caesars (co-rulers) while they were still youths. He also bestowed this rank on two of his nephews—Dalmatius and Hannibalianus. Constantine I died in 337. His three surviving sons ordered the executions of Dalmatius, Hannibalianus, and many other relatives who might make claims to rule the empire. After securing control in this brutal way, the three brothers recognized one another as equals. Each had charge of a different part of the empire. Constans took responsibility for the Balkans, Italy, and North Africa.
In 340, a quarrel between Constans and his eldest brother, Constantine II, prompted Constantine II to invade Italy. Constans’s forces defeated and killed Constantine II near Aquileia in northeastern Italy. Constans then took charge of Constantine II’s territory—Britain, Gaul (now mainly France), and Spain. As a result, he controlled the entire western empire.
During the 340’s, Constans defended the western empire energetically with successful campaigns against the Franks in Gaul and other invaders in Britain. However, his rule had become so unpopular by 350 that his troops in Gaul killed him. They made their general Magnentius emperor instead.
See also Constantine II ; Constantine the Great ; Constantius II .
