People - Ancient Rome: Constantius II Born Flavius Julius Constantius, he was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361.
Constantius II in Roman Biography
Constantius [Fr. Constance, k6N'stdNs'] H., (Flavius
Julius,) the third son of Constantine I., Emperor
of Rome, was born at Sirmium in 317 A.D. By his father's
will he inherited the Asiatic provinces and Egypt in 337.
It is said that he ordered or permitted the massacre of
his father's nephews, brother, etc. at the time of his
accession.
During nearly all his reign he was at war with
the Persians, by whom he was often defeated. In 350
the revolt of Magnentius resulted in the death of Constans,
Emperor of the West. Constantius turned his
arms against Magnentius, whom he defeated at Mursa, on
the Drave, in 351, and in Gaul in 353, after which he was
master of the whole empire. In 355 he appointed his
cousin Julian, Caesar and commander in Gaul, and in
357 visited Rome for the first time. He favoured the
Arians, and banished the orthodox bishops. Julian
having been proclaimed emperor by his army in Gaul,
Constantius was marching to attack him, when he died
near Tarsus in 361, and was succeeded by Julian. His
reputation is not high either for talents or for virtue.
See Eusebius,
"
Vita Constantii :" Tiixemont, "Histoire des
Empereurs ;" Gibbon,
" Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."
Constantius II in Wikipedia
Flavius Julius Constantius (August 7, 317 – November 3, 361), commonly known as Constantius II, was
Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne
with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death. In 340, Constantius' brothers
fought over the western provinces of the empire. Constans defeated his brother and ruled the west for a
decade until the usurper Magnentius rebelled in 350. Constans was promptly assassinated, leaving
Constantius as the only surviving son of Constantine. After defeating Magnentius at the Battle of Mursa
Major and Mons Seleucus, his subsequent suicide left Constantius sole ruler of the empire. His military
campaigns against Germanic tribes were successful: he defeated the Alamanni in 354, and campaigned
across the Danube against the Quadi and Sarmatians in 357. In the east however, he fought the Sassanids
for two decades with mixed success. Constantius elevated his cousin Julian to co-emperor in 355, but by
spring 361 the two emperors were at war. However, Constantius died before the two could face each other
in battle, naming Julian his successor...