Constantius II
Constantius II,
317–61, Roman emperor, son of Constantine IConstantine Ior Constantine the Great
, 288?–337, Roman emperor, b. Naissus (present-day Niš, Serbia). He was the son of Constantius I and Helena and was named in full Flavius Valerius Constantinus.
..... Click the link for more information. . When the empire was divided (337) at the death of Constantine, Constantius II was given rule over Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt, while his brothers, Constans IConstans I
, b. 320 or 323, d. 350, Roman emperor, youngest son of Constantine I. At his father's death in 337 he received Italy and Africa as well as Pannonia and Dacia, while his brothers, Constantine II and Constantius II, received other portions of the empire.
..... Click the link for more information. and Constantine IIConstantine II,
316–40, Roman emperor, son of Constantine I. When the empire was divided at the death (337) of Constantine I, among the brothers Constantius II, Constans I, and Constantine II, Constantine II received Britain, Gaul, and Spain.
..... Click the link for more information. , received other portions. He gained prestige by fighting successfully against the Persians. When in 350 the murder of Constans I threw the West into disorder, Constantius II defeated the usurping Magnentius, a German who had been a commander under Constans I, and became sole emperor. He delegated much power to his cousin Julian (Julian the ApostateJulian the Apostate
(Flavius Claudius Julianus), 331?–363, Roman emperor (361–63), nephew of Constantine I; successor of Constantius II. He was given an education that combined Christian and Neoplatonic ideas. He and his half-brother Gallus were sent (c.
..... Click the link for more information. ) in Gaul. When a new dispute erupted with the Persians, Constantius ordered Julian to the East, but Julian's men revolted and proclaimed (360) Julian emperor in the West. Constantius died in the Persian campaign in Cilicia, naming Julian as his successor. A confirmed Arian, Constantius vigorously repressed paganism and was involved in a struggle with St. AthanasiusAthanasius, Saint
, c.297–373, patriarch of Alexandria (328–73), Doctor of the Church, great champion of orthodoxy during the Arian crisis of the 4th cent. (see Arianism).
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