) Stilicho, who was
child of four years, she had the misfortune to be commissioned by the emperor Honorius, sent his
seized with her mother by Procopius, a cousin of lieutenant Sarus, a Goth, into Gan), who defeated
the emperor Julian, who had raisid a rebellion in ' and killed Justinian, and assassinated Nervigastcs,
## p.
child of four years, she had the misfortune to be commissioned by the emperor Honorius, sent his
seized with her mother by Procopius, a cousin of lieutenant Sarus, a Goth, into Gan), who defeated
the emperor Julian, who had raisid a rebellion in ' and killed Justinian, and assassinated Nervigastcs,
## p.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
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. , and the notes of Leo Allatius, p. 97, &c. ;(A. D. 354) died of a fever in Bithynia. This
Paulus Diaconus (Warnefried), De Gestis Longo- princess, if we can trust the highly-coloured picture
bardorum, iv. 51, &c. , v. 6–13, 30 ; Abulfeda, drawn hy Ammianus Marcellinus, must have been
l'ita Mohammed, p. 109, ed. Reiske, Annales, p. a perfect demon in the human form, a female fury
65, &c. , ed. Reiske. )
(W. P. ] ever thirsting for blood, and stimulating to deeds
CONSTANTIA. 1. Flavia VALERIA Con- of violence and savage atrocity the cruel temper of
STANTIA, also called CONSTANTINA, the daughter of Gallus, who after her death ascribed many of his
Constantius Chlorus Caesar and his second wife, former excesses to her evil promptings.
Theodora, was born after a. D. 292 and before a. D. (Amm. Marc. xiv. 1, &c. ; Aurel. Vict, 41, 42;
306, either in Gaul or Britain. She was a half-sister Julian, Epist. ad Athen. p. 501, ed. 1630; Philos-
of Constantine the Great, who gave her in marriage torg. Hist. Eccl. iii. 22, iv. 1; Theophan. Chronog.
in 313 to C. Valerius Licinianus Licinius Augustus, p. 37, ed. 1655. )
(W. R. )
master of the East. In the civil war which broke CONSTANTINUS, the second son of Con-
out between Constantine and Licinius in 323, the stantius Chlorus, and the first whom he had by
latter was entirely defeated at Chrysopolis, now Scu- his second wife, Theodora, was probably murdered
tari opposite Consiantinople, and fled io Nicomedeia, by his nephew, the emperor Constantius. He is
where he was besieged by the victor. In order to mentioned only by Zonaras (vol. i. p. 246, ed.
save the life of her husband, who was able neither Paris). There is much doubt respecting him, al-
to defend the town nor to escape, Constantia went though it appears from Julianus (Epist. ad Pop.
into the camp of her brother, and by her earnest | Athen. p. 497, ed. Paris), that Constantius put two
entreaties obtained pardon for Licinius. Afraid, uncles to death ; so that we are forced to admit
however, of new troubles, Constantine afterwards three brothers of Constantine the Great, one of
gave orders to put him to death ; but this severity whom, Hannibalianus, died before him, while his
did not alter his friendship for his sister, whom he brothers Constantius and Constantinus survived
always treated with kindness and respect. Con- him. The passage in Philostorgius (ii. 4) “Met
stantia was first an orthodox Christian, having v Toluv xpóvov (after the empress Fausta was
been baptized by pope Sylvester at Rome; but she suffocated in a bath) ÚTÒ TẬ ddendøv papuésous
afterwards adopted the Arian creed. It appears | κατά την Νικομήδειαν διατρίβοντα αναιρεθήναι
that she was governed by an Arian priest, whose says clearly, that at the death of Constantine the
name is unknown, but who was certainly a man of Great there was more than one brother of him
great influence, for it was through him that she alive. [CONSTANTIUS II. )
(W. P. ]
obtained the pardon of Arius, who had been sent CONSTANTI'NUS, the tyrant, emperor in
into exile in 325, after his opinion had been con- Britain, Gaul, and Spain, was a common soldier in
demned by the council at Nicaea. During the the Roman army stationed in Britain in the be-
negotiations concerning the recall of Arius, Con- ginning of the fifth century of our aera, during the
stantia fell ill, and, being visited by her brother reign of the emperor Honorius. In A. D. 407 these
Constantine, besought him on her death-bed to troops rebelled, and chose one Marcus emperor,
restore Arius to liberty. She died some time whom they murdered soon afterwards. They then
afterwards, between 328 and 330. She had a son swore obedience to one Gratianus, and having got
by Licinius, whose name was Flavius Licinianus tired of him, they killed him likewise, and chose
Licinius Caesar. (Philostorg. i. 9; Theophan. pp. one of their comrades, Constantine, in his stead.
9, 27, ed. Paris; Euseb. H. E. x. 8; Socrat. i. 2; They had no other motive for selecting him but
Zosiin. ii. pp. 17, 28. )
the fact that he bore the venerated and royal name
2. Flavia MAXIMA CONSTANTIA, the daugh- of Constantine. Although little fitted for the du-
ter of the emperor Constantius II. and his third ties of his exalted rank, Constantine considered
wife, Faustina, was born shortly after the death of that he should soon share the fate of his predeces-
her father in a. D. 36). In 375 she was destined sors, if he did not employ his army in some serious
to marry the young emperor Gratian, but, on her business. He consequently carried his troops im-
way. to the emperor, was surprised in Illyria by the mediately over to Gaul, and landed at Boulogne.
Quadi, who had invaded the country, and would This country was so badly defended, that Constan-
have been carried away into captivity but for the tine was recognized in nearly every province before
timely succour of Messalla, the governor of Illyria, the year had elapsed in which he was inrested
who brought her safely to Sirmium.
When a with the purple. " (A. D. 407.
) Stilicho, who was
child of four years, she had the misfortune to be commissioned by the emperor Honorius, sent his
seized with her mother by Procopius, a cousin of lieutenant Sarus, a Goth, into Gan), who defeated
the emperor Julian, who had raisid a rebellion in ' and killed Justinian, and assassinated Nervigastcs,
## p. 831 (#851) ############################################
CONSTANTINUS.
831
CONSTANTINUS.
the two best generals of the usurper. Constantine tho siege and to fly to the Pyrenees, where he
was hesieged by Sarus in Vienna, now Vienne in perished with his wife. Constantius commanded
Dauphiné; but, assisted by the skill of Edobincus part of his troops to pursue him; with the other
and cspecially Gerontius, the successors of Justi- part he continued the siege, as is related under
nian and Nervignstes in the command of the army, ConstaNTIUS, and afterwards compelled Constan-
he defeated the besiegers, and drove them back tine to surrender on condition of having his life
beyond the Alps. Upon this, he took up his resi- preserved. Constantine and his second son Julian
dence at Arelatum, now Arles, and sent his son were sent to Italy; but Honorius did not keep
Constans, whom he created Caesar, into Spain. the promise made by his general, and both the
At the head of the Honorinni, a band of mercenary captives were put to death. The revolt of Con-
barbarians, Constans soon established the authority stantine is of great importance in the history of
of his father in Spain (A. D. 408), and was re- Britain, since in consequence of it and the rebel-
warded with the dignity of Augustus.
lion of the inhabitants against the officers of Con-
In the following year Honorius judged it pru- stantine, the emperor Honorius gave up all hopes
dent to acknowledge Constantine as emperor, in of restoring his authority over that country, and
order that he might obtain his assistance against recognized its independence of Rome, –a circum-
the Goths. Constantine did not hesitate to arm stance that led to the conquest of Britain by the
for the defence of Honorius, having previously ob- Saxons. (1. D. 411. ) (Zosim. lib. v. ult. and lib.
tained his pardon for the assassination of Didymus vi. , the chief source; Oros. vii. 40–42; Sozom.
(Didymius) and Verinianus (Verenianus), two ix. 11–13; Jornandes, de Reb. Goth. p. 112, ed.
kinsmen of Honorius, who had been killed by Lindenbrog; Sidon. A poll. Epist. v. 9; Prosper,
order of Constantine for having defended Spain Chron. , Honorio VII. et Theodosio II. . Coss,
against his son Constans ; and he entered Italy at Theodosio Aug. IV. Cons. )
[W. P. ]
the head of a strong army, his secret intention
being to depose Honorius and to make himself
master of the whole Western empire. He had
halted under the walls of Verona, when he was
suddenly recalled to Gaul by the rebellion of his
general, Gerontius, who, having the command of
the army in Spain, persuaded the troops to support
his revolt. In a short time, Gerontius was master
of Spain ; but, instead of assuming the purple,
COMOR
he had his friend Maximus proclaimed emperor,
and hastened into Gaul, where Constantine had
COIN OF CONSTANTINUS, THE TYRANT.
just arrived from Italy. Constans, the son of CONSTANTI'NUS I. , FLAVIUS VALE'-
Constantine, was taken prisoner at Vienna, and RIUS AUREʼLIUS, surnamed MAGNUS or
put to death, and his father shut himself up in “the Great,” Roman emperor, A. D. 306-337, the
Arles, where he was besieged by Gerontius. This eldest son of the emperor Constantius Chlorus by
state of things was suddenly changed by the arrival his first wife Helena. His descent and the prin-
of Constantius, the general of Honorius, with an cipal members of his family are represented in the
army strong enough to compel Gerontius to raise following genealogical table :-
RESMODIO
SAR
ACCS.
Crispus, brother of the emperors Claudius II. and Quintilius.
Claudia, married Eutropius.
Constantius Chlorus, Augustus in A. D. 305; died at York in A. D. 306; married 1. Helena the Saint,
2. Theodora
CONSTANTINUS MAGNUS. Married, 1. Minervina ; 2. Fausta,
daughter of the emperor Galerius and his second wife Eutropia.
Further issue of Constantius Chlo
rus by Theodora, see below,
1. Crispus;
Caesar, 316;
put to death
by order of
his father,
326; married
Helena;
issue un-
known.
2. Constantinus 3. Constantius II. ; 4. Constans; 5. Constantius or Constantia ;
II. , surnamed the born, 317; Caesar, born, 320; married 1. her kinsman Han-
Younger; born, 326(? ); Emperor, Caesar, 333 nibalianus, king of Pontus;
312; Caesar, 337; sole Emp. (335? ); 2. Constantine Gallus, emp.
316 ; Emperor, 353; died, 361; Emp. 337; 6. Constantia or Constantina ;
337; died, 340. mart. 1. unknown; killed, 350;
Twice mar- 2. Flavia Aurelia marr. Olym- 7. Helena, Flavia Maximiana ;
ried (? ); no
Eusebia; 3. Maxi- pia ; no issue
married the emperor Julian,
issue known. ma Faustina. known.
her kinsman.
.
Flavia Maxima Constantia, married the emperor Gratianus.
nun.
## p. 832 (#852) ############################################
832
CONSTANTINUS.
CONSTANTINUS.
From above. Further issue of CONSTANTIUS CHLORUS by his second wife, Thcodora.
I
1. Constantinus, murdered
by the emperor Constan-
tius II. ; no issue known.
2. Dalmatius Flavius
Hannibalianus ; time
of death unknown.
3. Constantius, Consul, 335; murdered
by the emperor Constantius ; married,
1. Galla ; 2. Basilina.
1. Dalmatius, Flavius Julius, Consul in
A. D. 333.
Put to death by the em-
peror Constantine the Younger in 339
or 340 ; no issue known.
2. Hannibalianus, Flavius Claudius, king of
Pontus; married Constantina, eldest daughter
of Constantine the Great; perished in the
wholesale murder of his kinsmen.
A Son,
killed
by the
emperor
Constan-
tius II.
in 341.
2. Gallus, Flavius Julius, born in
325; Caesar, 34) ; disobedient ;
put to death by the emperor Con-
stantius II. near Pola, in Istria, in
354; married Constantina, widow
of Hannibalianus and eldest daugh-
ter of Constantine the Great.
3. A
daugh-
ter, mar-
ried the
emperor
Constan-
tius.
4. Julianus, surnamed the Apostate ;
born 332 (? ); Caesar, 355 ; succeeded
Constantius in 361; killed in the Per-
sian war, 26th of June, 363. Married
Helena, Flavia Maximiana, youngest
daughter of Constantine the Great ;
left issue whose fute is unknown.
From above. Further issue of CONSTANTIUS CHLORUS by Theodora.
4. Constantia or Constantina (CoN- 5. Anastasia, married Bassianus Caesar, 6. Eutropia, mar-
STANTIA] Flavia Valeria, married and after his death, probably, Lucius Ra- ried Popilius Ne
in 313 Valeria Licinianus Licinius, mius Aconitus Optatus, consul.
potianus, consul.
Augustus; died between 328 and 330.
1
Flavius Licinianus Licinius, put to Flavius Popilius Nepotianus; assumed the purple in Gaul
death by Constantine the Great.
in 350 ; killed at Rome in the same year.
Constantine was born in the month of February, position as a kind of hostage he was exposed to
A. n. 272. There are many different opinions re- the machinations of the ambitious, the jealous, and
specting his birth-place; but it is most probable, the designing; and the dangers by which he was
and it is now generally believed, that he was born surrounded increased after the abdication of Dio-
at. Naissus, now Nissa, a well-known town in cletian and Maximian and the accession of his
Dardania or the upper and southern part of Moesia father and Galerius as emperors (A. D. 305). He
Superior. *
continued to live in the East under the eyes of
Constantine was distinguished by the choicest | Galerius, whose jealousy of the superior qualities
gifts of nature, but his education was chiefly of Constantine was so great, that he meditated his
military. When his father obtained the supreme ruin by exposing him to personal dangers, from
command in Gaul, Britain, and Spain, he did not which Constantine, however, escaped unhurt. In
accompany him, but remained with the emperor such circumstances he was compelled to cultivate
Diocletian as a kind of hostage for the fidelity of and improve his natural prudence and sagacity,
his parent, and he attended that emperor on his and to accustom himself to that reserve and dis-
celebrated expedition in Egypt. After the capture cretion to which he afterwards owed a considerable
of Alexandria and the pacification of that country part of his greatness, and which was the more re-
in A. D. 296, Constantine served under Galerius in markable in him as he was naturally of a most
the Persian war, which resulted in the conquest lively disposition. The jealousy of Galerius be-
and final cession to the Romans of Iberia, Arme came conspicuous when he conferred the dignity of
nia, Mesopotamia, and the adjoining countries, for Caesar upon his sons, Severus and Maximin, a
which Diocletian and Maximian celebrated a dignity to which Constantine seemed to be en-
triumph in Rome in 303. In these wars Constan- titled by his birth and merits, but which was
tine distinguished himself so much by personal withheld from him by Galerius and not conferred
courage as well as by higher military talents, that upon him by his father. In this, however, Con-
he became the favourite of the army, and was as stantius Chlorus acted wisely, for as his son was
a reward appointed tribunus militum of the first still in the hands of Galerius, he would have
class. But he was not allowed to enjoy quietly caused his immediate ruin had he proclaimed him
the honours which he so justly deserved. In his Caesar; so that if Constantine spoke of disappoint-
ment he could only feel disappointed at not being
Stephanus Byzantinus (s. v. Načocós) calls in the camp of his father. To bring him thither
this town Κτίσμα και πατρίς Κωνσταντίνου του became now the great object of the policy of both
Barthéw's, meaning by Krioua that that town was father and son. Negotiations were carried on for
enlarged and embellished by Constantine, which that purpose with Galerius, who, aware of the
was the case. The opinion that Constantine was consequences of the departure of Constantine, de
born in Britain is ably refuted in Schöpfiin's dis-layed his consent by every means in his power,
sertation, “ Constantinus Magnus non fuit Britan- | till at last his pretexts were exhausted, and he was
nus,” contained in the author's “ Conimentationes obliged to allow him to join his father. Jusily
Historicae," Pasel, 1741, 4to.
afraid of being detained once more, or of being cut
## p. 833 (#853) ############################################
CONSTANTINUS.
833
CONSTANTINUS.
:
off by treachery on his journey, Constantine had acknowledged as Augustus by Maximian and
no sooner obtained the permission of Galerius than Maxentius. But before long serious quarrels broke
he departed from Nicomedeia, where they both out between Maxentius and Maximian ; the latter
resided, without taking leave of the emperor, and was forced by his son to fly from Rome, and
travelled through Thrace, Illyricum, Pannonia, finally took refuge with Constantine, by whom he
and Gaul with all possible speed, till he reached was well received. Maximian once more abdi-
his father at Boulogne just in time to accompany cated the throne ; but during the absence of Con-
him to Britain on bis expedition against the Picts, stantine, who was then on the Rhine, he re-
and to be present at his death at York (25th of assumed the purple, and entered into secret
July, 306). Before dying, Constantius declared negotiations with his son Maxentius for the pur-
his son as his successor.
pose of ruining Constantine. He was surprised in
The moment for seizing the supreme power, or his plots by Constantine, who on the news of his
for shrinking back into death or obscurity, hnd rebellion had left the Rhine, and embarking his
now come for Constantine. He was renowned for troops in boats, descended the Saone and Rhône,
his victories in the East, admired by the legions, appeared under the walls of Arles, where Maxi-
and beloved by the subjects, both heathen and mian then resided, and forced him to take refuge
Christian, of Constantius, who did not hesitate to in Marseilles. That town was immediately be-
believe that the son would follow the example of sieged; the inhabitants gave up Maximian, and
justice, toleration, and energy set by the father. Constantine quelled the rebellion by one of those
The legions proclaimed him emperor ; the barbarian acts of bloody energy which the world hesitates to
auxiliaries, headed by Crocus, king of the Alemanni, call murder, since the kings of the world cannot
acknowledged him; yet he hesitated to place the maintain themselves on their thrones without blood.
fatal diadem on his head. But his hesitation was Maximian was put to death (A. D. 309); he had
mere pretence; he was well prepared for the deserved punishment, yet he was the father of
event, and in the quick energy with which he Constantine's wife. [MAXIMIANUS. )
acted, he gave a sample of that marvellous combi- The authority of Constantine was now unre-
nation of boldness, cunning, and wisdom in which strained in his dominions. He generally resided
but a few great men have surpassed him. In a at Trier (Trèves), and was greatly beloved by
conciliatory letter to Galerius, he protested that he his subjects on account of his excellent adminis
had not taken the purple on his own account, but | tration. The inroads of the barbarians were
thut he had been pressed by the troops to do so, punished by him with great severity : the captive
and he solicited to be acknowledged as Augustus. chiefs of the Franks were devoured by wild beasts
At the same time he made preparations to take in the circus of Trier, and many robbers or rebels
the field with all his father's forces, if Galerius suffered the same barbarous punishment. These
should refuse to grant him his request. But Ga- occasional cruelties did not prejudice him in the
lerius dreaded a struggle with the brave legions of eyes of the people, and among the emperors who
the West, headed by a man like Constantine. He then ruled the world Constantine was undoubtedly
disguised his resentment, and acknowledged Con- the most beloved, a circumstance which was of
stantine as master of the countries beyond the great advantage to him when he began his struggle
Alps, but with the title of Caesar only: hc con- with his rivals. This struggle commenced with
ferred the dignity of Augustus upon his own son Maxentius, who pretended to feel resentment for
Severus.
the death of his father, insulted Constantine, and
The peace in the empire was of short duration from insults proceeded to hostile demonstrations.
The rapacity of Galerius, his absence from the With a large force assembled in Italy he intended
capital of the empire, and probably also the ex- to invade Gaul, but so great was the aversion of
ample of Constantine, caused a rebellion in Rome, his subjects to his cruel and rapacious character,
which resulted in Maxentius, the son of Maximian, that Roman deputies appeared before Constantine
seizing the purple ; and when Maximian was imploring him to deliver them from a tyrant.
informed of it, he left his retirement and reassumed Constantine was well aware of the dangers to
the diadem, which he had formerly renounced with which he exposed himself by attacking Maxentius,
his colleague Diocletian. The consequence of their who was obeyed by a numerous army, chiefly com-
rebellion was a war with Galerius, whose son, posed of veterans, who had fought under Diocletian
Severus Augustus, entered Italy with a powerful and Maximian. At the same time, the army of
force; but he was shut up in Ravenna ; and, un- Constantine was well disciplined and accustomed
able to defend the town or to escape, he surren- to fight with the brave barbarians of Germany, and
dered himself up to the besiegers, and was while his rival was only obeyed by soldiers he met
treacherously put to death by order of Maxentius. with obedience among both his troops and his
(A. D. 307. ) Galerius chose C. Valerius Licini- subjects.
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. , and the notes of Leo Allatius, p. 97, &c. ;(A. D. 354) died of a fever in Bithynia. This
Paulus Diaconus (Warnefried), De Gestis Longo- princess, if we can trust the highly-coloured picture
bardorum, iv. 51, &c. , v. 6–13, 30 ; Abulfeda, drawn hy Ammianus Marcellinus, must have been
l'ita Mohammed, p. 109, ed. Reiske, Annales, p. a perfect demon in the human form, a female fury
65, &c. , ed. Reiske. )
(W. P. ] ever thirsting for blood, and stimulating to deeds
CONSTANTIA. 1. Flavia VALERIA Con- of violence and savage atrocity the cruel temper of
STANTIA, also called CONSTANTINA, the daughter of Gallus, who after her death ascribed many of his
Constantius Chlorus Caesar and his second wife, former excesses to her evil promptings.
Theodora, was born after a. D. 292 and before a. D. (Amm. Marc. xiv. 1, &c. ; Aurel. Vict, 41, 42;
306, either in Gaul or Britain. She was a half-sister Julian, Epist. ad Athen. p. 501, ed. 1630; Philos-
of Constantine the Great, who gave her in marriage torg. Hist. Eccl. iii. 22, iv. 1; Theophan. Chronog.
in 313 to C. Valerius Licinianus Licinius Augustus, p. 37, ed. 1655. )
(W. R. )
master of the East. In the civil war which broke CONSTANTINUS, the second son of Con-
out between Constantine and Licinius in 323, the stantius Chlorus, and the first whom he had by
latter was entirely defeated at Chrysopolis, now Scu- his second wife, Theodora, was probably murdered
tari opposite Consiantinople, and fled io Nicomedeia, by his nephew, the emperor Constantius. He is
where he was besieged by the victor. In order to mentioned only by Zonaras (vol. i. p. 246, ed.
save the life of her husband, who was able neither Paris). There is much doubt respecting him, al-
to defend the town nor to escape, Constantia went though it appears from Julianus (Epist. ad Pop.
into the camp of her brother, and by her earnest | Athen. p. 497, ed. Paris), that Constantius put two
entreaties obtained pardon for Licinius. Afraid, uncles to death ; so that we are forced to admit
however, of new troubles, Constantine afterwards three brothers of Constantine the Great, one of
gave orders to put him to death ; but this severity whom, Hannibalianus, died before him, while his
did not alter his friendship for his sister, whom he brothers Constantius and Constantinus survived
always treated with kindness and respect. Con- him. The passage in Philostorgius (ii. 4) “Met
stantia was first an orthodox Christian, having v Toluv xpóvov (after the empress Fausta was
been baptized by pope Sylvester at Rome; but she suffocated in a bath) ÚTÒ TẬ ddendøv papuésous
afterwards adopted the Arian creed. It appears | κατά την Νικομήδειαν διατρίβοντα αναιρεθήναι
that she was governed by an Arian priest, whose says clearly, that at the death of Constantine the
name is unknown, but who was certainly a man of Great there was more than one brother of him
great influence, for it was through him that she alive. [CONSTANTIUS II. )
(W. P. ]
obtained the pardon of Arius, who had been sent CONSTANTI'NUS, the tyrant, emperor in
into exile in 325, after his opinion had been con- Britain, Gaul, and Spain, was a common soldier in
demned by the council at Nicaea. During the the Roman army stationed in Britain in the be-
negotiations concerning the recall of Arius, Con- ginning of the fifth century of our aera, during the
stantia fell ill, and, being visited by her brother reign of the emperor Honorius. In A. D. 407 these
Constantine, besought him on her death-bed to troops rebelled, and chose one Marcus emperor,
restore Arius to liberty. She died some time whom they murdered soon afterwards. They then
afterwards, between 328 and 330. She had a son swore obedience to one Gratianus, and having got
by Licinius, whose name was Flavius Licinianus tired of him, they killed him likewise, and chose
Licinius Caesar. (Philostorg. i. 9; Theophan. pp. one of their comrades, Constantine, in his stead.
9, 27, ed. Paris; Euseb. H. E. x. 8; Socrat. i. 2; They had no other motive for selecting him but
Zosiin. ii. pp. 17, 28. )
the fact that he bore the venerated and royal name
2. Flavia MAXIMA CONSTANTIA, the daugh- of Constantine. Although little fitted for the du-
ter of the emperor Constantius II. and his third ties of his exalted rank, Constantine considered
wife, Faustina, was born shortly after the death of that he should soon share the fate of his predeces-
her father in a. D. 36). In 375 she was destined sors, if he did not employ his army in some serious
to marry the young emperor Gratian, but, on her business. He consequently carried his troops im-
way. to the emperor, was surprised in Illyria by the mediately over to Gaul, and landed at Boulogne.
Quadi, who had invaded the country, and would This country was so badly defended, that Constan-
have been carried away into captivity but for the tine was recognized in nearly every province before
timely succour of Messalla, the governor of Illyria, the year had elapsed in which he was inrested
who brought her safely to Sirmium.
When a with the purple. " (A. D. 407.
) Stilicho, who was
child of four years, she had the misfortune to be commissioned by the emperor Honorius, sent his
seized with her mother by Procopius, a cousin of lieutenant Sarus, a Goth, into Gan), who defeated
the emperor Julian, who had raisid a rebellion in ' and killed Justinian, and assassinated Nervigastcs,
## p. 831 (#851) ############################################
CONSTANTINUS.
831
CONSTANTINUS.
the two best generals of the usurper. Constantine tho siege and to fly to the Pyrenees, where he
was hesieged by Sarus in Vienna, now Vienne in perished with his wife. Constantius commanded
Dauphiné; but, assisted by the skill of Edobincus part of his troops to pursue him; with the other
and cspecially Gerontius, the successors of Justi- part he continued the siege, as is related under
nian and Nervignstes in the command of the army, ConstaNTIUS, and afterwards compelled Constan-
he defeated the besiegers, and drove them back tine to surrender on condition of having his life
beyond the Alps. Upon this, he took up his resi- preserved. Constantine and his second son Julian
dence at Arelatum, now Arles, and sent his son were sent to Italy; but Honorius did not keep
Constans, whom he created Caesar, into Spain. the promise made by his general, and both the
At the head of the Honorinni, a band of mercenary captives were put to death. The revolt of Con-
barbarians, Constans soon established the authority stantine is of great importance in the history of
of his father in Spain (A. D. 408), and was re- Britain, since in consequence of it and the rebel-
warded with the dignity of Augustus.
lion of the inhabitants against the officers of Con-
In the following year Honorius judged it pru- stantine, the emperor Honorius gave up all hopes
dent to acknowledge Constantine as emperor, in of restoring his authority over that country, and
order that he might obtain his assistance against recognized its independence of Rome, –a circum-
the Goths. Constantine did not hesitate to arm stance that led to the conquest of Britain by the
for the defence of Honorius, having previously ob- Saxons. (1. D. 411. ) (Zosim. lib. v. ult. and lib.
tained his pardon for the assassination of Didymus vi. , the chief source; Oros. vii. 40–42; Sozom.
(Didymius) and Verinianus (Verenianus), two ix. 11–13; Jornandes, de Reb. Goth. p. 112, ed.
kinsmen of Honorius, who had been killed by Lindenbrog; Sidon. A poll. Epist. v. 9; Prosper,
order of Constantine for having defended Spain Chron. , Honorio VII. et Theodosio II. . Coss,
against his son Constans ; and he entered Italy at Theodosio Aug. IV. Cons. )
[W. P. ]
the head of a strong army, his secret intention
being to depose Honorius and to make himself
master of the whole Western empire. He had
halted under the walls of Verona, when he was
suddenly recalled to Gaul by the rebellion of his
general, Gerontius, who, having the command of
the army in Spain, persuaded the troops to support
his revolt. In a short time, Gerontius was master
of Spain ; but, instead of assuming the purple,
COMOR
he had his friend Maximus proclaimed emperor,
and hastened into Gaul, where Constantine had
COIN OF CONSTANTINUS, THE TYRANT.
just arrived from Italy. Constans, the son of CONSTANTI'NUS I. , FLAVIUS VALE'-
Constantine, was taken prisoner at Vienna, and RIUS AUREʼLIUS, surnamed MAGNUS or
put to death, and his father shut himself up in “the Great,” Roman emperor, A. D. 306-337, the
Arles, where he was besieged by Gerontius. This eldest son of the emperor Constantius Chlorus by
state of things was suddenly changed by the arrival his first wife Helena. His descent and the prin-
of Constantius, the general of Honorius, with an cipal members of his family are represented in the
army strong enough to compel Gerontius to raise following genealogical table :-
RESMODIO
SAR
ACCS.
Crispus, brother of the emperors Claudius II. and Quintilius.
Claudia, married Eutropius.
Constantius Chlorus, Augustus in A. D. 305; died at York in A. D. 306; married 1. Helena the Saint,
2. Theodora
CONSTANTINUS MAGNUS. Married, 1. Minervina ; 2. Fausta,
daughter of the emperor Galerius and his second wife Eutropia.
Further issue of Constantius Chlo
rus by Theodora, see below,
1. Crispus;
Caesar, 316;
put to death
by order of
his father,
326; married
Helena;
issue un-
known.
2. Constantinus 3. Constantius II. ; 4. Constans; 5. Constantius or Constantia ;
II. , surnamed the born, 317; Caesar, born, 320; married 1. her kinsman Han-
Younger; born, 326(? ); Emperor, Caesar, 333 nibalianus, king of Pontus;
312; Caesar, 337; sole Emp. (335? ); 2. Constantine Gallus, emp.
316 ; Emperor, 353; died, 361; Emp. 337; 6. Constantia or Constantina ;
337; died, 340. mart. 1. unknown; killed, 350;
Twice mar- 2. Flavia Aurelia marr. Olym- 7. Helena, Flavia Maximiana ;
ried (? ); no
Eusebia; 3. Maxi- pia ; no issue
married the emperor Julian,
issue known. ma Faustina. known.
her kinsman.
.
Flavia Maxima Constantia, married the emperor Gratianus.
nun.
## p. 832 (#852) ############################################
832
CONSTANTINUS.
CONSTANTINUS.
From above. Further issue of CONSTANTIUS CHLORUS by his second wife, Thcodora.
I
1. Constantinus, murdered
by the emperor Constan-
tius II. ; no issue known.
2. Dalmatius Flavius
Hannibalianus ; time
of death unknown.
3. Constantius, Consul, 335; murdered
by the emperor Constantius ; married,
1. Galla ; 2. Basilina.
1. Dalmatius, Flavius Julius, Consul in
A. D. 333.
Put to death by the em-
peror Constantine the Younger in 339
or 340 ; no issue known.
2. Hannibalianus, Flavius Claudius, king of
Pontus; married Constantina, eldest daughter
of Constantine the Great; perished in the
wholesale murder of his kinsmen.
A Son,
killed
by the
emperor
Constan-
tius II.
in 341.
2. Gallus, Flavius Julius, born in
325; Caesar, 34) ; disobedient ;
put to death by the emperor Con-
stantius II. near Pola, in Istria, in
354; married Constantina, widow
of Hannibalianus and eldest daugh-
ter of Constantine the Great.
3. A
daugh-
ter, mar-
ried the
emperor
Constan-
tius.
4. Julianus, surnamed the Apostate ;
born 332 (? ); Caesar, 355 ; succeeded
Constantius in 361; killed in the Per-
sian war, 26th of June, 363. Married
Helena, Flavia Maximiana, youngest
daughter of Constantine the Great ;
left issue whose fute is unknown.
From above. Further issue of CONSTANTIUS CHLORUS by Theodora.
4. Constantia or Constantina (CoN- 5. Anastasia, married Bassianus Caesar, 6. Eutropia, mar-
STANTIA] Flavia Valeria, married and after his death, probably, Lucius Ra- ried Popilius Ne
in 313 Valeria Licinianus Licinius, mius Aconitus Optatus, consul.
potianus, consul.
Augustus; died between 328 and 330.
1
Flavius Licinianus Licinius, put to Flavius Popilius Nepotianus; assumed the purple in Gaul
death by Constantine the Great.
in 350 ; killed at Rome in the same year.
Constantine was born in the month of February, position as a kind of hostage he was exposed to
A. n. 272. There are many different opinions re- the machinations of the ambitious, the jealous, and
specting his birth-place; but it is most probable, the designing; and the dangers by which he was
and it is now generally believed, that he was born surrounded increased after the abdication of Dio-
at. Naissus, now Nissa, a well-known town in cletian and Maximian and the accession of his
Dardania or the upper and southern part of Moesia father and Galerius as emperors (A. D. 305). He
Superior. *
continued to live in the East under the eyes of
Constantine was distinguished by the choicest | Galerius, whose jealousy of the superior qualities
gifts of nature, but his education was chiefly of Constantine was so great, that he meditated his
military. When his father obtained the supreme ruin by exposing him to personal dangers, from
command in Gaul, Britain, and Spain, he did not which Constantine, however, escaped unhurt. In
accompany him, but remained with the emperor such circumstances he was compelled to cultivate
Diocletian as a kind of hostage for the fidelity of and improve his natural prudence and sagacity,
his parent, and he attended that emperor on his and to accustom himself to that reserve and dis-
celebrated expedition in Egypt. After the capture cretion to which he afterwards owed a considerable
of Alexandria and the pacification of that country part of his greatness, and which was the more re-
in A. D. 296, Constantine served under Galerius in markable in him as he was naturally of a most
the Persian war, which resulted in the conquest lively disposition. The jealousy of Galerius be-
and final cession to the Romans of Iberia, Arme came conspicuous when he conferred the dignity of
nia, Mesopotamia, and the adjoining countries, for Caesar upon his sons, Severus and Maximin, a
which Diocletian and Maximian celebrated a dignity to which Constantine seemed to be en-
triumph in Rome in 303. In these wars Constan- titled by his birth and merits, but which was
tine distinguished himself so much by personal withheld from him by Galerius and not conferred
courage as well as by higher military talents, that upon him by his father. In this, however, Con-
he became the favourite of the army, and was as stantius Chlorus acted wisely, for as his son was
a reward appointed tribunus militum of the first still in the hands of Galerius, he would have
class. But he was not allowed to enjoy quietly caused his immediate ruin had he proclaimed him
the honours which he so justly deserved. In his Caesar; so that if Constantine spoke of disappoint-
ment he could only feel disappointed at not being
Stephanus Byzantinus (s. v. Načocós) calls in the camp of his father. To bring him thither
this town Κτίσμα και πατρίς Κωνσταντίνου του became now the great object of the policy of both
Barthéw's, meaning by Krioua that that town was father and son. Negotiations were carried on for
enlarged and embellished by Constantine, which that purpose with Galerius, who, aware of the
was the case. The opinion that Constantine was consequences of the departure of Constantine, de
born in Britain is ably refuted in Schöpfiin's dis-layed his consent by every means in his power,
sertation, “ Constantinus Magnus non fuit Britan- | till at last his pretexts were exhausted, and he was
nus,” contained in the author's “ Conimentationes obliged to allow him to join his father. Jusily
Historicae," Pasel, 1741, 4to.
afraid of being detained once more, or of being cut
## p. 833 (#853) ############################################
CONSTANTINUS.
833
CONSTANTINUS.
:
off by treachery on his journey, Constantine had acknowledged as Augustus by Maximian and
no sooner obtained the permission of Galerius than Maxentius. But before long serious quarrels broke
he departed from Nicomedeia, where they both out between Maxentius and Maximian ; the latter
resided, without taking leave of the emperor, and was forced by his son to fly from Rome, and
travelled through Thrace, Illyricum, Pannonia, finally took refuge with Constantine, by whom he
and Gaul with all possible speed, till he reached was well received. Maximian once more abdi-
his father at Boulogne just in time to accompany cated the throne ; but during the absence of Con-
him to Britain on bis expedition against the Picts, stantine, who was then on the Rhine, he re-
and to be present at his death at York (25th of assumed the purple, and entered into secret
July, 306). Before dying, Constantius declared negotiations with his son Maxentius for the pur-
his son as his successor.
pose of ruining Constantine. He was surprised in
The moment for seizing the supreme power, or his plots by Constantine, who on the news of his
for shrinking back into death or obscurity, hnd rebellion had left the Rhine, and embarking his
now come for Constantine. He was renowned for troops in boats, descended the Saone and Rhône,
his victories in the East, admired by the legions, appeared under the walls of Arles, where Maxi-
and beloved by the subjects, both heathen and mian then resided, and forced him to take refuge
Christian, of Constantius, who did not hesitate to in Marseilles. That town was immediately be-
believe that the son would follow the example of sieged; the inhabitants gave up Maximian, and
justice, toleration, and energy set by the father. Constantine quelled the rebellion by one of those
The legions proclaimed him emperor ; the barbarian acts of bloody energy which the world hesitates to
auxiliaries, headed by Crocus, king of the Alemanni, call murder, since the kings of the world cannot
acknowledged him; yet he hesitated to place the maintain themselves on their thrones without blood.
fatal diadem on his head. But his hesitation was Maximian was put to death (A. D. 309); he had
mere pretence; he was well prepared for the deserved punishment, yet he was the father of
event, and in the quick energy with which he Constantine's wife. [MAXIMIANUS. )
acted, he gave a sample of that marvellous combi- The authority of Constantine was now unre-
nation of boldness, cunning, and wisdom in which strained in his dominions. He generally resided
but a few great men have surpassed him. In a at Trier (Trèves), and was greatly beloved by
conciliatory letter to Galerius, he protested that he his subjects on account of his excellent adminis
had not taken the purple on his own account, but | tration. The inroads of the barbarians were
thut he had been pressed by the troops to do so, punished by him with great severity : the captive
and he solicited to be acknowledged as Augustus. chiefs of the Franks were devoured by wild beasts
At the same time he made preparations to take in the circus of Trier, and many robbers or rebels
the field with all his father's forces, if Galerius suffered the same barbarous punishment. These
should refuse to grant him his request. But Ga- occasional cruelties did not prejudice him in the
lerius dreaded a struggle with the brave legions of eyes of the people, and among the emperors who
the West, headed by a man like Constantine. He then ruled the world Constantine was undoubtedly
disguised his resentment, and acknowledged Con- the most beloved, a circumstance which was of
stantine as master of the countries beyond the great advantage to him when he began his struggle
Alps, but with the title of Caesar only: hc con- with his rivals. This struggle commenced with
ferred the dignity of Augustus upon his own son Maxentius, who pretended to feel resentment for
Severus.
the death of his father, insulted Constantine, and
The peace in the empire was of short duration from insults proceeded to hostile demonstrations.
The rapacity of Galerius, his absence from the With a large force assembled in Italy he intended
capital of the empire, and probably also the ex- to invade Gaul, but so great was the aversion of
ample of Constantine, caused a rebellion in Rome, his subjects to his cruel and rapacious character,
which resulted in Maxentius, the son of Maximian, that Roman deputies appeared before Constantine
seizing the purple ; and when Maximian was imploring him to deliver them from a tyrant.
informed of it, he left his retirement and reassumed Constantine was well aware of the dangers to
the diadem, which he had formerly renounced with which he exposed himself by attacking Maxentius,
his colleague Diocletian. The consequence of their who was obeyed by a numerous army, chiefly com-
rebellion was a war with Galerius, whose son, posed of veterans, who had fought under Diocletian
Severus Augustus, entered Italy with a powerful and Maximian. At the same time, the army of
force; but he was shut up in Ravenna ; and, un- Constantine was well disciplined and accustomed
able to defend the town or to escape, he surren- to fight with the brave barbarians of Germany, and
dered himself up to the besiegers, and was while his rival was only obeyed by soldiers he met
treacherously put to death by order of Maxentius. with obedience among both his troops and his
(A. D. 307. ) Galerius chose C. Valerius Licini- subjects.
