Brutus, the father of the so-called tyranni-
fortified
town of Tisdra; but after the defeat of
cide, in his tribunate, B.
cide, in his tribunate, B.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
40;
ber of points in which two conic sections can cut Hartung, Dic Relig. d. Röm. ii. p. 5. ) (L. S. ]
one another. Conon was the inventor of the curve P. CONSENTIUS, the author of a grammatical
called the spiral of Archimedes [ARCHIMEDES]; treatise “Ars P. Consentii V. C. de duabus parti-
but he seems to have contented himself with pro- bus Orationis, Nomine et Verbo," published origi-
posing the investigatior of its properties as a pro- nally by J. Sichard at Basle, in 1528, and subse-
Llen to other geometers. (Pappus, Math. Coll. iv. quently, in a much more complete forin, in the
Prop. 18. ) He is said to have given the name collection of Putschius (Grammaticae Latin. Auo-
Coma Berenices to the constellation so called tores Antig. 4to. Hannov. 1605), who had access
! BERENICE, 3], on the authority of an ode of | 10 MSS. which enabled him to supply numerous
## p. 827 (#847) ############################################
CONSIDIUS.
827
CONSIDIUS.
ard large deficiencies. Another work by the same | uprightness as a judge both in B. c. 70 (in Verr. i.
writer, entitled “Ars de Barbarismis et Metaplas- ? ) and in 1. c. 66. °(Pro Clucnt. 38. ) Considius
mis," was recently discovered by Cramer in a is spoken of as quite an old man in Caesar's con-
Regensburg MS. now at Munich, and was pub- sulship, B. c. 59, and it is related of him, that
lished at Berlin, in 1817, by Buttmann. It is of when very few senators came to the house, on one
considerable value on account of the fragments occasion, he told Caesar, that the reason of their
quoted from lost productions, and of the view which absence was their fear of his arms and soldiers ;
it affords of the state of the language and of gram and that when Caesar thereupon asked him why
matical studies at the period when it was com- he also did not stop at home, he replied, that old
posed. In the “ de Barbarismis” we find a reſer- age had deprived him of all fear. (Plut. Caes. 14;
ence to a third essay on the structure of periods, Cic. al Atl. ii. 24. )
“ de Structurarum Rationc,” which, if ever pub- 5. Q. CONSIDIUS, the usurer, may perhaps be
lished, is no longer extant.
the same as the preceding, especially as the anec-
Consentius is commonly believed to have flou- dote related of him is in accordance with the
rished at Constantinople in the middle of the fifth character which Cicero gives of the senator. It is
Century, on the supposition that he was one or related of this Considius, that, when in the Catili-
other of the following individuals.
narian conspiracy, B. C. 63, the value of all property
1. CONSENTIUS, å poet violently bepraised by had been so much depreciated that it was impos-
Sidonius Apollinaris. (Curm. xxiii. , Epist. viii. 4. ) sible even for the wealthy to pay their creditors,
lle married a daughter of the consul Jovianus, by he did not call in the principal or interest of any
whom he had a son, namely
of the sums due to him, although he had 15 mil-
2. CONSENTIUS, who rose to high honour under lions of sesterces out at interest, endeavouring by
Valentinian III. , by whom he was named Comes this indulgence to mitigate, as far as he could, the
Palatii and despatched upon an important mission general alarm. (Val. Max. ir. 8. $ 3; comp. Cic.
to Theodosius. He also had a son, namely ad Att. i. 12. )
3. CONSENTIUS, who devoted himself to literary 6. Q. ConsidiUS GALLUS, one of the heirs of
leisure and the enjoyments of a rural life, and is Q. Turius in B. C. 43, was perhaps a son of No. 4.
celebrated as well as his grandfather by Sidonius. (Cic. ad Fam. xii. 26. )
Fabricius (Bill. Lat. vol. iii. p. 745) tells us, 7. P. CONSIDIUS, served under Caesar in his
that in some MSS. the grammarian is styled not first campaign in Gaul, B. C. 58, and is spoken of
only vir clarissimus, the ordinary appellation of as an experienced soldier, who had served under
learned men at that period, but also quintus consu- L. Sulla and afterwards under M. Crassus. (Caes.
Turis quinque civitatum, which might perhaps lead B. G. i. 21. )
us to identify him with the second of the above 8. M. Cossidius Nonianus, praetor in B. c. 52.
personages.
(W. R. ] He is spoken of in 49 as the intended successor of
CONSE'VIUS or CONSI'VIUS, the propa- Caesar in the province of Nearer Gaul, and he as-
gator, occurs as the surname of Janus and Ops. sisted Pompey in the same year in conducting his
(Macrob. Sat. i. 9, iii. 9 ; Fest. s. v. Opima. ) (L. S. ) preparations at Capua. (Ascon. in Cic. Mil. p. 55,
CONSI'DIA GENS, plebeian. None of its ed. Orelli ; Cic. ad Fam. xvi. 12, ad Att. viii. 11, )
members ever obtained any higher office in the The name of C. Considius Nonianus occurs on
state than the praetorship, and are, with once ex- coins. (Eckhel, v. p. 177. )
ception, mentioned only in the last century of the 9. C. Considius Longus, propraetor in Africa,
republic. The cognomens of this gens are Gallus, left his province shortly before the breaking out of
Longus, Nonianus, and Paetus, the last two of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, in
which also occur on coins; but as there is some order to go to Rome to become a candidate for the
confusion between some of the members of the consulship, entrusting the government to Q. Liga-
gens, an account of all of them is given under rius. (Cic. pro Ligat. 1 ; Schol. Gronov, in Ligar.
Considius, and not under the cognomens. p. 414, ed. Orelli. ) When the civil war broke out
CONSI'DIUS. 1. Q. CONSidius, tribune of in B. c. 49, Considius espoused Pompey's party,
the plebs, B. C. 476, united with his colleague T. and returned to Africa, where he held Adrumetum
Genucius in bringing forward the agrarian law with one legion. (Caes. B. C. ii. 23. ) He still
again, and also in accusing T. Menenius Lanatus, had possession of Adrumetum two years after-
the consul of the preceding year, because it was wards, B. C. 47, when Caesar came into Africa;
supposed that the Fabii had perished at Cremera and when a letter was sent him by the hands of a
through his neglect. (Liv. ii. 52; Dionys. ix. 27. ) captive, Considius caused the unfortunate bearer
2. Considius, a farmer of the public taxes to be put to death, because he said he had brought
(publicanus), brought an action against L. Sergius it from the imperator Caesar, declaring at the same
Orata, who was praetor in B. c. 98, on account of time himself, that Scipio was the only imperator of
his illegal appropriation of the waters of the Lu- the Roman people at that time. Shortly after-
crine sea. Orata was defended by L. Crassus, who wards Considius made an unsuccessful attempt
was a friend of Considius. (Val. Max. ix. 1. § 1. ) upon Achilla, a free town in Caesar's interest, and
3. L. Considius, conducted, in conjunction with was obliged to retire to Adrumetum. We next
Sex. Saltius, a colony to Capua, which was formed hear of Considius in possession of the strongly-
by M.
Brutus, the father of the so-called tyranni- fortified town of Tisdra; but after the defeat of
cide, in his tribunate, B. C. 83. [BRUTUS, No. 20 ] Scipio at Thapsus, and when he heard that Cn.
Considius and Saltius are ridiculed by Cicero for Domitius Calvinus was advancing against the town,
the arrogance which they displayed, and for calling he secretly withdrew from it, accompanied by a
themselves praetors instead of duumvirs. (Cic. de few Gaetulians and laden with money, intending
Leg. Agr. ii. 34. )
to fly into Mauretania. But he was murdered on
4. Q. Considius, a senator and one of the the journey by the Gaetulians, who coveted his
judices, is praised by Cicero for his integrity and treasures. (Hirt. B. Afr. 3, 4, 33, 43, 76, 80, 93. )
## p. 828 (#848) ############################################
828
CONSTANS.
CONSTANS.
10. C. Considius, son of No. 9, fell into Cae- | Egypt, and at last its capital, Alexandria, bad been
Bar's power, when he obtained possession of Adru- conquered by 'Amru, the general of the kbalif
metum after the battle of Thapsus, B. C. 47, and 'Omar, towards the close of the reign of the emperor
was pardoned by Caesar. (Hirt. B. Afr. 89. ) It Heraclius, the grandfather of Constans. (a. d. 610
is supposed that he may be the same as the C. -641. ) Anxious to regain possession of Alexan-
Considius Paetus, whose name occurs on coins; but drin Constans fitted out an expedition against
this is mere conjecture. (Eckhel, v. p. 177. ) Egypt, and we are informed by the Chinese an-
CONSTANS I. , FLAVIUS JU’LIUS, the nalists, that he sent ambassadors to the emperor of
youngest of the three sons of Constantine the Great China, Taisum, to excite him to a war against the
and Fausta, was at an early age appointed by his Arabs, by whom the Chinese possessions in
father governor of Western Illyricum, Italy, and Turkistan were then infested. (Comp. De Guignes,
Africa, countries which he subsequently received Histoire générale des Huns, i. pp. 55, 56. ) This
as his portion upon the division of the empire in emperor reigned froin A. D. 627 till 650, and as
A. D. 337. After having successfully resisted the the Christian religion was preached in China during
treachery and violence of his brother Constantine, his reign by Syrian monks, from which we may
who was slain in invading his territory, A. D. 340, conclude that an intercourse existed between China
Constans became master of the whole West, and and the Greek empire, the fact related by the
being naturally indolent, weak, and profligate, Chinese annalists seems worthy of belief, especially
abandoned himself for some years without restraint as the danger from the Arabs was common to both
to the indulgence of the most depraved passions. the empires. When Manuel, the commander of the
While hunting in Gaul, he suddenly received in- imperial forces, appeared with a powerful fleet off
telligence that Magnentius [MAGNENTIUS] had Alexandria, the inhabitants took up arms against
rebelled, that the soldiers had mutinied, and that the Arabic governor 'Othmán, and with their
emissaries had been despatched to put him to death. assistance Manuel succeeded in taking the town.
Flying with all speed, he succeeded in reaching (A. D. 646. ) But he maintained himself there
the Pyrenees, but was overtaken near the town of only a short time. 'Amru approached with a
Helena (formerly Illiberis) by the cavalry of the strong army; he took the town by assault, and
usurper, and was slain, A. d. 350, in the thirtieth Manuel fled to Constantinople with the remnants
year of his age and the thirteenth of his reign. of his forces. A considerable portion of Alexandria
(Aurel. Vict. de Caes. xli. , Epit. xli. ; Eutrop. x. 5; was destroyed, and the Greeks never got possession
Zosimus, ii. 42; Zonaras, xiii. 6. ) [W. R. ] of it again. Encouraged by this success, the khalif
'Omar ordered his lieutenant 'Abdu-l-lah to invade
the Greek possessions in northern Africa. 'Abdu-
l-lah met with great success; he conquered and
killed in battle Gregorius, the imperial governor
of Africa, and the Greeks ceded to bim Tripolitana,
and promised to pay an annual tribute for the re-
maining part of the imperial dominions in Africa:
SIS
This treaty was concluded without the consent of
Constans, and although it was dictated by neces-
sity, the emperor blamed and punished his officers
CONSTANS II. , FLAVIUS HERACLIUS, severely, and shewed so much resentment against
emperor of the East, A. D. 641-668, the elder son his subjects in Africa, that he took revenge upon
of the emperor Constantine III. and the empress them seventeen years afterwards, as is mentioned
Gregoria, was born on the 7th of November, A. D. below.
630, and his original name was Heraclius. After While 'Abdu-l-lah was gaining these advantages
the death of his father, who reigned but a few in Africa, Mu'awiyah, who subsequently became
months, in A. D. 641, the throne was seized by khalif, drove the Greeks out of Syria, and, after
Heracleonas, the younger brother of Constantine conquering that country, sailed with a fleet of 1700
III. ; but as Heracleonas was a tool in the hands small craft to Cyprus, conquered the whole island,
of his ambitious mother, Martina, he incurred the and imposed upon the inhabitants an annual tri-
hatred of the people, and a rebellion broke out, bute of 7200 pieces of gold. The island, however,
which was headed by Valentinus Caesar. Valen- was taken from the Arabs two years after the con-
tine at first compelled Heracleonas to admit his quest, by the imperial general Cacorizus. The
nephew Heraclius as co-regent, and on this occasion Arabs made also considerable progress in Cilicia
Heraclius adopted the name of Constantine, which and Isauria, which were ravaged by Bizr,, one of
he afterwards changed into that of Constans. their best generals. While the finest provinces of
Not satisfied with this result, Valentine proclaimed the East thus became a prey to the khalifs, the
Constans sole emperor : Heracleonas and Martina emperor was giving all his attention towards the
were made prisoners, and, after being mutilated, protection of monothelism, to which sect he was
were sent into exile. Thus Constans II. succeeded addicted, and the persecution of the orthodox
in the month of August, A. D. 64), and on account catholic faith. Unable to finish the religious con-
of his youth was obliged to be satisfied with oniy test by reasonable means, Constans issued an edict
the name of emperor, and to abandon his authority by which he prohibited all discussions on religious
to Valentine, who is probably identical with one subjects, hoping thus to establish monothelism by
Valentinian, who rebelled in a. D. 644, but was oppressive measures. This edict, which is known
killed in a skirmish in the streets of Constanti- by the name of “ Typus," created as much dis-
nople.
content as laughter: it was rejected by the pope
The reign of Constans II. is remarkable for the and generally by all the churches in Italy, and
great losses which the empire sustained by the at- contributed much to ruin the emperor in public
macks of the Arabs and Longobards or Lombards. I opinion. His subjects manifested publicly their
SHOP
COIN OP CONSTANS L.
## p. 829 (#849) ############################################
CONSTANS.
829
CONSTANS.
contempt for his character, and the governors of As early as a. D. 641, Rotharis, king of the
distant provinces paid so little respect to his Longobards, attacked the imperial dominions in
authority, that they seemed to be independent northern Italy, and conquered the greater part of
princes. A revolt broke out in Armenia under them. One of his successors, Grimoald, had formed
Pasagnathus, who made himself completely inde- designs against the Greek possessions in southern
pendent; but he afterwards returned to obedience. Italy, where the emperor was still master of the
As early as 648, a truce for two years had been duchies of Rome and Naples, with both the Cala-
concluded between the Arabs and Constans. brias. Sicily, Sardinia, anu Corsica belonged like-
'Abdu-l-lah availed himself of that truce to invade wise to the Greek empire. The emperor's authority
and conquer Nubia and Abyssinia ; but he return- in Italy was much shaken by the religious and
ed in 651, renewed hostilities, and sent an ex- civil troubles which he had caused there by his
pedition against Sicily, where the Arabs took absurd edict, the “ Typus ;” but, on the other
several places, and maintained themselves there. hand, the dissensions among the dukes and other
In the same year Mu'awiyah spread terror through great chiefs of the Longobards seemed to afford a
both the East and the West by the conquest of favourable chance for the re-establishment of the
Rhodes, and it was on this occasion that the Roman empire of Italy by the Greeks, an enter-
famous colossus was sold to a Jew of Edessa. prise which one hundred years before the emperor
The fall of Rhodes failed to rouse Constans Justinian had so gloriously achieved by his general
from his carelessness. He still endeavoured to Narses. Under these circumstances, Constans
compel obedience to his “ Typus” in Italy, ale resolved not only to imitate the example of Jus-
though it had been condemned by pope Martin I. tinian, but to make Rome once more the centre of
Theodorus Calliopas, the imperial exarch in Italy, the Roman empire. His resolution caused the
arrested Martin in his own palace in 653, and greatest surprise, for since the downfall of the
sent him from thence to Messina, afterwards to Western empire no emperor had resided, nor even
the island of Naxos, and at last, in 654, to Con- made a momentary stay, in Italy. “ But,” said
stantinople. Here, after a mock trial, he was con- Constans," the mother (Rome) is worthier of my
demned of holding treacherous correspondence with care than the daughter (Constantinople);” and,
the infidels, and was mutilated and banished to having fitted out a fleet, he fixed the day of his
Cherson, in the Chersonnesus Taurica, where he departure, and ordered the empress and his three
died in September, A. D. 655. Many other bishops sons to accompany him. He waited for them on
of the orthodox faith were likewise persecuted, board of his galley, but no sooner had they left
among whom was St. Maximus, who died in exile the imperial palace, than the people of Constanti-
in the Caucasus, in 662.
nople rose in revolt and prevented them by force
In 655, the war with the Arabs became alarmingly from joining the emperor. Being informed of this,
dangerous. Mu'awiyah, then governor of Syria, Constans spit against the city, cursed its inhabit-
fitted out a fleet, which he entrusted to the command ants, and ordered the sailors to weigh anchor.
of Abú-l-ábár, wbile he himself with the land forces This took place towards the end of 662. Con-
marched against Caesareia, whence he intended to stans stayed the winter at Athens, having pre-
proceed to the Bosporus. In this imminent danger viously appointed his eldest son, Constantine,
Constans gave the command of Constantinople to his governor of Constantinople. Our space prevents
eldest son, Constantine, and sailed himself with us from giving an account of his campaign in Italy;
his own ships against the hostile fleet. The two it is sufficient to state, that though he met at first
fleets met off the coast of Lycia, and an obstinate with some success, his troops were afterwards de-
battle ensued, in which the Greeks were at last feated by the Longobards, and he was obliged to
completely defeated. Constantinople seemed to be relinquish his design of subduing them. After
lost. But the khalif 'Othman was assassinated in plundering the churches and other public buildings
655, and Mu'awiyah, who was chosen in his of Rome of their finest ornaments and treasures,
stead, was obliged to renounce the conquest of he took up his residence at Syracuse for a time.
Constantinople, and to defend his own empire In this city also he gratified his love of avarice
against the attempts of 'Ali, and afterwards of his and cruelty to such an extent, that many thousands
son Hasan, who assumed the title of khalif, and fled from the island and settled in different parts
maintained themselves at Kufá till 668. De- of Syria, especially at Damascus, where they
livered from the Arabs, Constans made war upon adopted the religion of Mohammed. The emperor's
the Slavonian nations south and north of the Da- absence from the seat of government excited
nube with great success.
Mu'awiyah to make fresh inroads into the Greek
In 661, Constans put his brother Theodosius to provinces.
death. The reasons for this crime are not well It has been already related that Constans was
known ; for, as Theodosius had taken orders, and deeply offended on account of the treaty baving
svas consequently unfit for reigning, political been concluded without his consent between his
jealousy could not be the cause ; perhaps there was officers in Africa and the Arabian general 'Abdu-
some religious difference between the two brothers. 1-lah. In 665, Mu'awiyah being then chiefly oc-
The murder of his brother pressed heavily upon him ; cupied in the eastern part of the Khalifate, Constans
he constantly dreamt about him, and often awoke, resolved to revenge himself upon his subjects in
crying out that Theodosius was standing at his beck Africa, and accordingly imposed a tribute upon
side, holding a cup of blood, and saying, “ Drink, them which was more than double what they had
brother, drink ! ” His palace at Constantinople engaged to pay to the Arabs. This avaricious and
was insupportable to him, and he at last resolved imprudent measure caused a revolt. They invited
to quit the East and to fix his residence in Italy. the Arabs to take possession of their country,
The politicul state of this country, however, was promising to make no resistance. Upon this
as strong a reason for the emperor's presence there Mu'awiyah entered Africa, defeated the few troops
as the visions of a murderer.
who were faithful to Constans, and extended his
## p. 830 (#850) ############################################
630
CONSTANTIA.
CONSTANTINUS.
conquests as far as the frontiers of Mauretania. | 365, and who carried his captives with him in all
During the same time the Longobards extended his expeditions, in order to excite his troops by
their conquests in Italy. Despised and hated by their presence. Constantia died before her hus-
all his subjects, Constans lost his life by the hand band Gratian, that is, before 383, leaving no issue.
of an assassin, at least in a most mysterious (Amm. Marc. xxi. 15, xxv. 7, 9, xxix. 6. ) [W. P. )
manner, perhaps by the intrigues of orthodox CONSTANTINA, FLAVIA JU’LIA, by
priests. On the 15th of July, 608, he was found some authors named CONSTANTIA, daughter of
drowned in his bath at Syracuse. He left three Constantine the Great and Fausta, was married to
sons, Constantine IV. Pogonatus, his successor, Hannibalianus, and received from her father the
Heraclius, and Tiberius. The naine of his wife is title of Augusta. Disappointed in her ambitious
not known. (Theophanes, p. 275, &c. , ed. Paris ; hopes by the death of her husband, she encouraged
Cedrenus, p. 429, &c. , ed. Paris ; Zonaras, vol. ii. the revolt of Vetranio (VETRANIO), and is said to
p. 87, &c. , ed. Paris; Glycas, p. 277, &c. , ed. have placed the diadem on his brows with her own
Paris ; Philo Byzantinus, Libellus de Septem Orbis hand. She subsequently became the wife of Gal-
Spectaculis, ed. Orelli, Leipzig, 1816, pp. 15, &c. , lus Caesar (A. D. 351), and three years afterwards
30, &c.
ber of points in which two conic sections can cut Hartung, Dic Relig. d. Röm. ii. p. 5. ) (L. S. ]
one another. Conon was the inventor of the curve P. CONSENTIUS, the author of a grammatical
called the spiral of Archimedes [ARCHIMEDES]; treatise “Ars P. Consentii V. C. de duabus parti-
but he seems to have contented himself with pro- bus Orationis, Nomine et Verbo," published origi-
posing the investigatior of its properties as a pro- nally by J. Sichard at Basle, in 1528, and subse-
Llen to other geometers. (Pappus, Math. Coll. iv. quently, in a much more complete forin, in the
Prop. 18. ) He is said to have given the name collection of Putschius (Grammaticae Latin. Auo-
Coma Berenices to the constellation so called tores Antig. 4to. Hannov. 1605), who had access
! BERENICE, 3], on the authority of an ode of | 10 MSS. which enabled him to supply numerous
## p. 827 (#847) ############################################
CONSIDIUS.
827
CONSIDIUS.
ard large deficiencies. Another work by the same | uprightness as a judge both in B. c. 70 (in Verr. i.
writer, entitled “Ars de Barbarismis et Metaplas- ? ) and in 1. c. 66. °(Pro Clucnt. 38. ) Considius
mis," was recently discovered by Cramer in a is spoken of as quite an old man in Caesar's con-
Regensburg MS. now at Munich, and was pub- sulship, B. c. 59, and it is related of him, that
lished at Berlin, in 1817, by Buttmann. It is of when very few senators came to the house, on one
considerable value on account of the fragments occasion, he told Caesar, that the reason of their
quoted from lost productions, and of the view which absence was their fear of his arms and soldiers ;
it affords of the state of the language and of gram and that when Caesar thereupon asked him why
matical studies at the period when it was com- he also did not stop at home, he replied, that old
posed. In the “ de Barbarismis” we find a reſer- age had deprived him of all fear. (Plut. Caes. 14;
ence to a third essay on the structure of periods, Cic. al Atl. ii. 24. )
“ de Structurarum Rationc,” which, if ever pub- 5. Q. CONSIDIUS, the usurer, may perhaps be
lished, is no longer extant.
the same as the preceding, especially as the anec-
Consentius is commonly believed to have flou- dote related of him is in accordance with the
rished at Constantinople in the middle of the fifth character which Cicero gives of the senator. It is
Century, on the supposition that he was one or related of this Considius, that, when in the Catili-
other of the following individuals.
narian conspiracy, B. C. 63, the value of all property
1. CONSENTIUS, å poet violently bepraised by had been so much depreciated that it was impos-
Sidonius Apollinaris. (Curm. xxiii. , Epist. viii. 4. ) sible even for the wealthy to pay their creditors,
lle married a daughter of the consul Jovianus, by he did not call in the principal or interest of any
whom he had a son, namely
of the sums due to him, although he had 15 mil-
2. CONSENTIUS, who rose to high honour under lions of sesterces out at interest, endeavouring by
Valentinian III. , by whom he was named Comes this indulgence to mitigate, as far as he could, the
Palatii and despatched upon an important mission general alarm. (Val. Max. ir. 8. $ 3; comp. Cic.
to Theodosius. He also had a son, namely ad Att. i. 12. )
3. CONSENTIUS, who devoted himself to literary 6. Q. ConsidiUS GALLUS, one of the heirs of
leisure and the enjoyments of a rural life, and is Q. Turius in B. C. 43, was perhaps a son of No. 4.
celebrated as well as his grandfather by Sidonius. (Cic. ad Fam. xii. 26. )
Fabricius (Bill. Lat. vol. iii. p. 745) tells us, 7. P. CONSIDIUS, served under Caesar in his
that in some MSS. the grammarian is styled not first campaign in Gaul, B. C. 58, and is spoken of
only vir clarissimus, the ordinary appellation of as an experienced soldier, who had served under
learned men at that period, but also quintus consu- L. Sulla and afterwards under M. Crassus. (Caes.
Turis quinque civitatum, which might perhaps lead B. G. i. 21. )
us to identify him with the second of the above 8. M. Cossidius Nonianus, praetor in B. c. 52.
personages.
(W. R. ] He is spoken of in 49 as the intended successor of
CONSE'VIUS or CONSI'VIUS, the propa- Caesar in the province of Nearer Gaul, and he as-
gator, occurs as the surname of Janus and Ops. sisted Pompey in the same year in conducting his
(Macrob. Sat. i. 9, iii. 9 ; Fest. s. v. Opima. ) (L. S. ) preparations at Capua. (Ascon. in Cic. Mil. p. 55,
CONSI'DIA GENS, plebeian. None of its ed. Orelli ; Cic. ad Fam. xvi. 12, ad Att. viii. 11, )
members ever obtained any higher office in the The name of C. Considius Nonianus occurs on
state than the praetorship, and are, with once ex- coins. (Eckhel, v. p. 177. )
ception, mentioned only in the last century of the 9. C. Considius Longus, propraetor in Africa,
republic. The cognomens of this gens are Gallus, left his province shortly before the breaking out of
Longus, Nonianus, and Paetus, the last two of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, in
which also occur on coins; but as there is some order to go to Rome to become a candidate for the
confusion between some of the members of the consulship, entrusting the government to Q. Liga-
gens, an account of all of them is given under rius. (Cic. pro Ligat. 1 ; Schol. Gronov, in Ligar.
Considius, and not under the cognomens. p. 414, ed. Orelli. ) When the civil war broke out
CONSI'DIUS. 1. Q. CONSidius, tribune of in B. c. 49, Considius espoused Pompey's party,
the plebs, B. C. 476, united with his colleague T. and returned to Africa, where he held Adrumetum
Genucius in bringing forward the agrarian law with one legion. (Caes. B. C. ii. 23. ) He still
again, and also in accusing T. Menenius Lanatus, had possession of Adrumetum two years after-
the consul of the preceding year, because it was wards, B. C. 47, when Caesar came into Africa;
supposed that the Fabii had perished at Cremera and when a letter was sent him by the hands of a
through his neglect. (Liv. ii. 52; Dionys. ix. 27. ) captive, Considius caused the unfortunate bearer
2. Considius, a farmer of the public taxes to be put to death, because he said he had brought
(publicanus), brought an action against L. Sergius it from the imperator Caesar, declaring at the same
Orata, who was praetor in B. c. 98, on account of time himself, that Scipio was the only imperator of
his illegal appropriation of the waters of the Lu- the Roman people at that time. Shortly after-
crine sea. Orata was defended by L. Crassus, who wards Considius made an unsuccessful attempt
was a friend of Considius. (Val. Max. ix. 1. § 1. ) upon Achilla, a free town in Caesar's interest, and
3. L. Considius, conducted, in conjunction with was obliged to retire to Adrumetum. We next
Sex. Saltius, a colony to Capua, which was formed hear of Considius in possession of the strongly-
by M.
Brutus, the father of the so-called tyranni- fortified town of Tisdra; but after the defeat of
cide, in his tribunate, B. C. 83. [BRUTUS, No. 20 ] Scipio at Thapsus, and when he heard that Cn.
Considius and Saltius are ridiculed by Cicero for Domitius Calvinus was advancing against the town,
the arrogance which they displayed, and for calling he secretly withdrew from it, accompanied by a
themselves praetors instead of duumvirs. (Cic. de few Gaetulians and laden with money, intending
Leg. Agr. ii. 34. )
to fly into Mauretania. But he was murdered on
4. Q. Considius, a senator and one of the the journey by the Gaetulians, who coveted his
judices, is praised by Cicero for his integrity and treasures. (Hirt. B. Afr. 3, 4, 33, 43, 76, 80, 93. )
## p. 828 (#848) ############################################
828
CONSTANS.
CONSTANS.
10. C. Considius, son of No. 9, fell into Cae- | Egypt, and at last its capital, Alexandria, bad been
Bar's power, when he obtained possession of Adru- conquered by 'Amru, the general of the kbalif
metum after the battle of Thapsus, B. C. 47, and 'Omar, towards the close of the reign of the emperor
was pardoned by Caesar. (Hirt. B. Afr. 89. ) It Heraclius, the grandfather of Constans. (a. d. 610
is supposed that he may be the same as the C. -641. ) Anxious to regain possession of Alexan-
Considius Paetus, whose name occurs on coins; but drin Constans fitted out an expedition against
this is mere conjecture. (Eckhel, v. p. 177. ) Egypt, and we are informed by the Chinese an-
CONSTANS I. , FLAVIUS JU’LIUS, the nalists, that he sent ambassadors to the emperor of
youngest of the three sons of Constantine the Great China, Taisum, to excite him to a war against the
and Fausta, was at an early age appointed by his Arabs, by whom the Chinese possessions in
father governor of Western Illyricum, Italy, and Turkistan were then infested. (Comp. De Guignes,
Africa, countries which he subsequently received Histoire générale des Huns, i. pp. 55, 56. ) This
as his portion upon the division of the empire in emperor reigned froin A. D. 627 till 650, and as
A. D. 337. After having successfully resisted the the Christian religion was preached in China during
treachery and violence of his brother Constantine, his reign by Syrian monks, from which we may
who was slain in invading his territory, A. D. 340, conclude that an intercourse existed between China
Constans became master of the whole West, and and the Greek empire, the fact related by the
being naturally indolent, weak, and profligate, Chinese annalists seems worthy of belief, especially
abandoned himself for some years without restraint as the danger from the Arabs was common to both
to the indulgence of the most depraved passions. the empires. When Manuel, the commander of the
While hunting in Gaul, he suddenly received in- imperial forces, appeared with a powerful fleet off
telligence that Magnentius [MAGNENTIUS] had Alexandria, the inhabitants took up arms against
rebelled, that the soldiers had mutinied, and that the Arabic governor 'Othmán, and with their
emissaries had been despatched to put him to death. assistance Manuel succeeded in taking the town.
Flying with all speed, he succeeded in reaching (A. D. 646. ) But he maintained himself there
the Pyrenees, but was overtaken near the town of only a short time. 'Amru approached with a
Helena (formerly Illiberis) by the cavalry of the strong army; he took the town by assault, and
usurper, and was slain, A. d. 350, in the thirtieth Manuel fled to Constantinople with the remnants
year of his age and the thirteenth of his reign. of his forces. A considerable portion of Alexandria
(Aurel. Vict. de Caes. xli. , Epit. xli. ; Eutrop. x. 5; was destroyed, and the Greeks never got possession
Zosimus, ii. 42; Zonaras, xiii. 6. ) [W. R. ] of it again. Encouraged by this success, the khalif
'Omar ordered his lieutenant 'Abdu-l-lah to invade
the Greek possessions in northern Africa. 'Abdu-
l-lah met with great success; he conquered and
killed in battle Gregorius, the imperial governor
of Africa, and the Greeks ceded to bim Tripolitana,
and promised to pay an annual tribute for the re-
maining part of the imperial dominions in Africa:
SIS
This treaty was concluded without the consent of
Constans, and although it was dictated by neces-
sity, the emperor blamed and punished his officers
CONSTANS II. , FLAVIUS HERACLIUS, severely, and shewed so much resentment against
emperor of the East, A. D. 641-668, the elder son his subjects in Africa, that he took revenge upon
of the emperor Constantine III. and the empress them seventeen years afterwards, as is mentioned
Gregoria, was born on the 7th of November, A. D. below.
630, and his original name was Heraclius. After While 'Abdu-l-lah was gaining these advantages
the death of his father, who reigned but a few in Africa, Mu'awiyah, who subsequently became
months, in A. D. 641, the throne was seized by khalif, drove the Greeks out of Syria, and, after
Heracleonas, the younger brother of Constantine conquering that country, sailed with a fleet of 1700
III. ; but as Heracleonas was a tool in the hands small craft to Cyprus, conquered the whole island,
of his ambitious mother, Martina, he incurred the and imposed upon the inhabitants an annual tri-
hatred of the people, and a rebellion broke out, bute of 7200 pieces of gold. The island, however,
which was headed by Valentinus Caesar. Valen- was taken from the Arabs two years after the con-
tine at first compelled Heracleonas to admit his quest, by the imperial general Cacorizus. The
nephew Heraclius as co-regent, and on this occasion Arabs made also considerable progress in Cilicia
Heraclius adopted the name of Constantine, which and Isauria, which were ravaged by Bizr,, one of
he afterwards changed into that of Constans. their best generals. While the finest provinces of
Not satisfied with this result, Valentine proclaimed the East thus became a prey to the khalifs, the
Constans sole emperor : Heracleonas and Martina emperor was giving all his attention towards the
were made prisoners, and, after being mutilated, protection of monothelism, to which sect he was
were sent into exile. Thus Constans II. succeeded addicted, and the persecution of the orthodox
in the month of August, A. D. 64), and on account catholic faith. Unable to finish the religious con-
of his youth was obliged to be satisfied with oniy test by reasonable means, Constans issued an edict
the name of emperor, and to abandon his authority by which he prohibited all discussions on religious
to Valentine, who is probably identical with one subjects, hoping thus to establish monothelism by
Valentinian, who rebelled in a. D. 644, but was oppressive measures. This edict, which is known
killed in a skirmish in the streets of Constanti- by the name of “ Typus," created as much dis-
nople.
content as laughter: it was rejected by the pope
The reign of Constans II. is remarkable for the and generally by all the churches in Italy, and
great losses which the empire sustained by the at- contributed much to ruin the emperor in public
macks of the Arabs and Longobards or Lombards. I opinion. His subjects manifested publicly their
SHOP
COIN OP CONSTANS L.
## p. 829 (#849) ############################################
CONSTANS.
829
CONSTANS.
contempt for his character, and the governors of As early as a. D. 641, Rotharis, king of the
distant provinces paid so little respect to his Longobards, attacked the imperial dominions in
authority, that they seemed to be independent northern Italy, and conquered the greater part of
princes. A revolt broke out in Armenia under them. One of his successors, Grimoald, had formed
Pasagnathus, who made himself completely inde- designs against the Greek possessions in southern
pendent; but he afterwards returned to obedience. Italy, where the emperor was still master of the
As early as 648, a truce for two years had been duchies of Rome and Naples, with both the Cala-
concluded between the Arabs and Constans. brias. Sicily, Sardinia, anu Corsica belonged like-
'Abdu-l-lah availed himself of that truce to invade wise to the Greek empire. The emperor's authority
and conquer Nubia and Abyssinia ; but he return- in Italy was much shaken by the religious and
ed in 651, renewed hostilities, and sent an ex- civil troubles which he had caused there by his
pedition against Sicily, where the Arabs took absurd edict, the “ Typus ;” but, on the other
several places, and maintained themselves there. hand, the dissensions among the dukes and other
In the same year Mu'awiyah spread terror through great chiefs of the Longobards seemed to afford a
both the East and the West by the conquest of favourable chance for the re-establishment of the
Rhodes, and it was on this occasion that the Roman empire of Italy by the Greeks, an enter-
famous colossus was sold to a Jew of Edessa. prise which one hundred years before the emperor
The fall of Rhodes failed to rouse Constans Justinian had so gloriously achieved by his general
from his carelessness. He still endeavoured to Narses. Under these circumstances, Constans
compel obedience to his “ Typus” in Italy, ale resolved not only to imitate the example of Jus-
though it had been condemned by pope Martin I. tinian, but to make Rome once more the centre of
Theodorus Calliopas, the imperial exarch in Italy, the Roman empire. His resolution caused the
arrested Martin in his own palace in 653, and greatest surprise, for since the downfall of the
sent him from thence to Messina, afterwards to Western empire no emperor had resided, nor even
the island of Naxos, and at last, in 654, to Con- made a momentary stay, in Italy. “ But,” said
stantinople. Here, after a mock trial, he was con- Constans," the mother (Rome) is worthier of my
demned of holding treacherous correspondence with care than the daughter (Constantinople);” and,
the infidels, and was mutilated and banished to having fitted out a fleet, he fixed the day of his
Cherson, in the Chersonnesus Taurica, where he departure, and ordered the empress and his three
died in September, A. D. 655. Many other bishops sons to accompany him. He waited for them on
of the orthodox faith were likewise persecuted, board of his galley, but no sooner had they left
among whom was St. Maximus, who died in exile the imperial palace, than the people of Constanti-
in the Caucasus, in 662.
nople rose in revolt and prevented them by force
In 655, the war with the Arabs became alarmingly from joining the emperor. Being informed of this,
dangerous. Mu'awiyah, then governor of Syria, Constans spit against the city, cursed its inhabit-
fitted out a fleet, which he entrusted to the command ants, and ordered the sailors to weigh anchor.
of Abú-l-ábár, wbile he himself with the land forces This took place towards the end of 662. Con-
marched against Caesareia, whence he intended to stans stayed the winter at Athens, having pre-
proceed to the Bosporus. In this imminent danger viously appointed his eldest son, Constantine,
Constans gave the command of Constantinople to his governor of Constantinople. Our space prevents
eldest son, Constantine, and sailed himself with us from giving an account of his campaign in Italy;
his own ships against the hostile fleet. The two it is sufficient to state, that though he met at first
fleets met off the coast of Lycia, and an obstinate with some success, his troops were afterwards de-
battle ensued, in which the Greeks were at last feated by the Longobards, and he was obliged to
completely defeated. Constantinople seemed to be relinquish his design of subduing them. After
lost. But the khalif 'Othman was assassinated in plundering the churches and other public buildings
655, and Mu'awiyah, who was chosen in his of Rome of their finest ornaments and treasures,
stead, was obliged to renounce the conquest of he took up his residence at Syracuse for a time.
Constantinople, and to defend his own empire In this city also he gratified his love of avarice
against the attempts of 'Ali, and afterwards of his and cruelty to such an extent, that many thousands
son Hasan, who assumed the title of khalif, and fled from the island and settled in different parts
maintained themselves at Kufá till 668. De- of Syria, especially at Damascus, where they
livered from the Arabs, Constans made war upon adopted the religion of Mohammed. The emperor's
the Slavonian nations south and north of the Da- absence from the seat of government excited
nube with great success.
Mu'awiyah to make fresh inroads into the Greek
In 661, Constans put his brother Theodosius to provinces.
death. The reasons for this crime are not well It has been already related that Constans was
known ; for, as Theodosius had taken orders, and deeply offended on account of the treaty baving
svas consequently unfit for reigning, political been concluded without his consent between his
jealousy could not be the cause ; perhaps there was officers in Africa and the Arabian general 'Abdu-
some religious difference between the two brothers. 1-lah. In 665, Mu'awiyah being then chiefly oc-
The murder of his brother pressed heavily upon him ; cupied in the eastern part of the Khalifate, Constans
he constantly dreamt about him, and often awoke, resolved to revenge himself upon his subjects in
crying out that Theodosius was standing at his beck Africa, and accordingly imposed a tribute upon
side, holding a cup of blood, and saying, “ Drink, them which was more than double what they had
brother, drink ! ” His palace at Constantinople engaged to pay to the Arabs. This avaricious and
was insupportable to him, and he at last resolved imprudent measure caused a revolt. They invited
to quit the East and to fix his residence in Italy. the Arabs to take possession of their country,
The politicul state of this country, however, was promising to make no resistance. Upon this
as strong a reason for the emperor's presence there Mu'awiyah entered Africa, defeated the few troops
as the visions of a murderer.
who were faithful to Constans, and extended his
## p. 830 (#850) ############################################
630
CONSTANTIA.
CONSTANTINUS.
conquests as far as the frontiers of Mauretania. | 365, and who carried his captives with him in all
During the same time the Longobards extended his expeditions, in order to excite his troops by
their conquests in Italy. Despised and hated by their presence. Constantia died before her hus-
all his subjects, Constans lost his life by the hand band Gratian, that is, before 383, leaving no issue.
of an assassin, at least in a most mysterious (Amm. Marc. xxi. 15, xxv. 7, 9, xxix. 6. ) [W. P. )
manner, perhaps by the intrigues of orthodox CONSTANTINA, FLAVIA JU’LIA, by
priests. On the 15th of July, 608, he was found some authors named CONSTANTIA, daughter of
drowned in his bath at Syracuse. He left three Constantine the Great and Fausta, was married to
sons, Constantine IV. Pogonatus, his successor, Hannibalianus, and received from her father the
Heraclius, and Tiberius. The naine of his wife is title of Augusta. Disappointed in her ambitious
not known. (Theophanes, p. 275, &c. , ed. Paris ; hopes by the death of her husband, she encouraged
Cedrenus, p. 429, &c. , ed. Paris ; Zonaras, vol. ii. the revolt of Vetranio (VETRANIO), and is said to
p. 87, &c. , ed. Paris; Glycas, p. 277, &c. , ed. have placed the diadem on his brows with her own
Paris ; Philo Byzantinus, Libellus de Septem Orbis hand. She subsequently became the wife of Gal-
Spectaculis, ed. Orelli, Leipzig, 1816, pp. 15, &c. , lus Caesar (A. D. 351), and three years afterwards
30, &c.
