Constantius, << kuhn STAN chee uhs or kuhn STAN shee uhs, >> II (A.D. 317-361) was the second of three sons of the Roman emperor Constantine I, also called Constantine the Great, and his second wife, Fausta. Constantius ruled the Roman Empire with his brothers Constans and Constantine II, then alone, in the A.D. 300’s. Amid turmoil, Constantius worked hard to unify and defend the empire. He also worked to unify the Christian church and reduce extravagant government spending.
Constantius II was born on Aug. 7, 317. His birth name was Flavius Julius Constantinus. 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. Constantius took charge of the East. He repeatedly had to combat aggression by the neighboring power, Persia.
In the early 350’s, Constantius felt obliged to take action in the West, which had become extremely unstable. The general Magnentius had overthrown Constantius’s brother Constans, the ruler of the western Roman Empire. Other rivals also had emerged to claim power in the West. Casualties were high in the resulting civil war. However, Constantius achieved sole control of the entire empire.
Constantius’s subsequent efforts to find a reliable relative to help him rule the empire failed. Both of his choices for co-ruler were young men from the side of his family that had been massacred in 337. They had been spared because of their youth. Constantius’s first co-ruler, his cousin Gallus, proved so unreliable that Constantius ordered his removal and execution. Constantius then named his cousin Julian as co-ruler. Julian became so successful and popular in Gaul that his troops supported his bid to overthrow Constantius.
Julian’s and Constantius’s troops prepared for war. However, Constantius died of natural causes in 361, before the opposing armies met. On his deathbed, Constantius named Julian as his successor.
See also Arianism ; Constans ; Constantine II ; Constantine the Great ; Julian .
