Refine your search

The results of your search are listed below alongside the search terms you entered on the previous page. You can refine your search by amending any of the parameters in the form and resubmitting it.

Select all Deselect all Add selection to lightbox
Large Small
Thumbnails per page
Constans I (323-350) was the fourth son of Constantine the Great, youngest brother to Constantine II and Constantius II. When his father died in 337, Constans became co-emperor alongside his brothers, with Constantius' purge of practically the rest of the imperial family ensuring power stayed in their hands.<br/><br/> Constans inherited the central provinces of the Roman Empire in the formal partitioning, but was initially under the guardianship of Constantine II due to his young age. His older brother complained that he had not received the amount of territory that was his due as eldest son, which led to conflict with Constans. When Constans finally came of age, Constantine refused to give up his guardianship, and he eventually invaded Italy in 340. Constans sent his troops to deal with his brother, who was ambushed and killed months later, ensuring that Constans now ruled over two-thirds of the empire.<br/><br/> Constans was known for his energetic rule, and some historians claimed he was homosexual and often indulged in great vices and scandalous behaviour with barbarian hostages. Constans became cruel and corrupt in his final years, and his preference for barbarian bodyguards caused the legions to turn against him. General Magnentius declared himself emperor in 350 and assassinated Constans.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Ebocarum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was eventually dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 from sickness, and was succeeded by his sons.
Julian (331-363), also known as Julian the Apostate, was a member of the Constantinian Dynasty and cousin to Emperor Constantius II. Emperor Constantius II made him Caesar of the western provinces in 355 while he was busy fighting the Sassanid Empire in the east, entrusting Julian against the Alamanni and Franks.<br/><br/> Julian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers in 360, and Constantius II died in 361 while marching to face him. Constantius claimed Julian as his rightful successor on his deathbed however. Unlike his recent predecessors, Julian was not a Christian and did not possess any Christian sympathies, returning to the traditional religious practices of Rome to the detriment of Christianity and Judaism, resulting in him being named 'Julian the Apostate'.<br/><br/> Julian died in 363 during his ambitious campaign against the Sassanid Empire, after he was mortally wounded in battle. He became the last non-Christian ruler of the Roman Empire, and the last of the Constantinian Dynasty.
Constantine II (316-340) was the second son of Constantine the Great and Fausta, and became the eldest after his father executed his half-brother Crispus. After his father died in 337, Constantine II initially became co-emperor alongside his brothers Constantius II and Constans as well as his cousins Dalmatius and Hannibalianus, though his cousins were soon out of the picture when he and his brothers arranged for the slaughter of most of the rest of the imperial family.<br/><br/> Constantine II became emperor of Gaul, Britannia, Hispania, and Mauretania when he formally partitioned the empire with his brothers. He soon became embroiled in the growing friction within the Christian Church, supporting Catholicism while his brother Constantius II was an ardent supporter of Arianism.<br/><br/> He also quarreled with his younger brother Constans, who he was legal guardian over, about territory within the African provinces. He refused to relinquish guardianship over Constans when the latter came of age, and marched into Italy in 340, where he was ambushed and killed by Constans' troops, who took control over his brother's portion of the empire.
Crispus (299/305-326) was the first-born son and initial heir to Emperor Constantine I and his first wife Minervina. When his father had to eventually put aside Minervina to marry Fausta for political reasons, he did not dismiss his son but continued to care for him and would have named Crispus his heir.<br/><br/> Crispus was declared as Caesar in 317, a prince of the empire, and was made commander of Gaul. He led many victorious military campaigns against the Alamanni and Franks, securing the Roman presence in Gaul and Germania. He also fought alongside his brother against the hostile Emperor Licinius, building upon his already illustrious reputation with even more outstanding victories. Crispus was loved by many, almost as admired and revered as Constantine himself.<br/><br/> However, in a shocking turn of events Crispus was executed on the orders of his father in 326. It is unknown what truly was the cause for such action, but the execution of Fausta only a few months later has led many historians to link the two, whether it be a conspiracy against Crispus by Fausta to ensure her own sons became heirs or, less likely, that there had been an illegitimate love affair between the two that Constantine had discovered. Either way, Crispus was killed and his name never mentioned again, deleted from all official documents and monuments.
Constantius Chlorus (250-306) was born into a noble framily from Dardania descended from emperors Claudius II and Quintillus, though this may have been a genealogical fabrication by Constantius' son Constantine I, with his real family instead being of humble origins.<br/><br/> Constantius joined the Roman army and served under various emperors, eventually being elevated to junior co-emperor alongside Galerius in 293, forming the Tetrarchy. His marriage to Emperor Maximian's daughter made him his son-in-law, and together they defeated the rebel emperor Allectus in Britain and campaigned heavily along the Rhine frontier against various Germanic tribes.<br/><br/> In 305, Diocletian and Maximian abdicated, elevating Constantius and Galerius to joint emperors. Constantius was fighting the Picts in Britain beyond the Antonine Wall when the declaration came, but he died suddenly a year later in Eboracum (York). His death led to the collapse of the Tetrarchy. His son would become Constantine the Great, and therefore Constantius was considered the founder of the Constantinian Dynasty.
Italy: Julian the Apostate (331-363), 63rd Roman emperor, from the book <i>Icones imperatorvm romanorvm</i> (Icons of Roman Emperors), Antwerp, c. 1645. Julian was a member of the Constantinian Dynasty and cousin to Emperor Constantius II. Emperor Constantius II made him Caesar of the western provinces in 355 while he was busy fighting the Sassanid Empire in the east, entrusting Julian against the Alamanni and Franks. Julian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers in 360.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Constantine II (316-340) was the second son of Constantine the Great and Fausta, and became the eldest after his father executed his half-brother Crispus. After his father died in 337, Constantine II initially became co-emperor alongside his brothers Constantius II and Constans as well as his cousins Dalmatius and Hannibalianus, though his cousins were soon out of the picture when he and his brothers arranged for the slaughter of most of the rest of the imperial family.<br/><br/> Constantine II became emperor of Gaul, Britannia, Hispania, and Mauretania when he formally partitioned the empire with his brothers. He soon became embroiled in the growing friction within the Christian Church, supporting Catholicism while his brother Constantius II was an ardent supporter of Arianism.<br/><br/> He also quarreled with his younger brother Constans, who he was legal guardian over, about territory within the African provinces. He refused to relinquish guardianship over Constans when the latter came of age, and marched into Italy in 340, where he was ambushed and killed by Constans' troops, who took control over his brother's portion of the empire.
Crispus (299/305-326) was the first-born son and initial heir to Emperor Constantine I and his first wife Minervina. When his father had to eventually put aside Minervina to marry Fausta for political reasons, he did not dismiss his son but continued to care for him and would have named Crispus his heir.<br/><br/> Crispus was declared as Caesar in 317, a prince of the empire, and was made commander of Gaul. He led many victorious military campaigns against the Alamanni and Franks, securing the Roman presence in Gaul and Germania. He also fought alongside his brother against the hostile Emperor Licinius, building upon his already illustrious reputation with even more outstanding victories. Crispus was loved by many, almost as admired and revered as Constantine himself.<br/><br/> However, in a shocking turn of events Crispus was executed on the orders of his father in 326. It is unknown what truly was the cause for such action, but the execution of Fausta only a few months later has led many historians to link the two, whether it be a conspiracy against Crispus by Fausta to ensure her own sons became heirs or, less likely, that there had been an illegitimate love affair between the two that Constantine had discovered. Either way, Crispus was killed and his name never mentioned again, deleted from all official documents and monuments.
Constans I (323-350) was the fourth son of Constantine the Great, youngest brother to Constantine II and Constantius II. When his father died in 337, Constans became co-emperor alongside his brothers, with Constantius' purge of practically the rest of the imperial family ensuring power stayed in their hands.<br/><br/> Constans inherited the central provinces of the Roman Empire in the formal partitioning, but was initially under the guardianship of Constantine II due to his young age. His older brother complained that he had not received the amount of territory that was his due as eldest son, which led to conflict with Constans. When Constans finally came of age, Constantine refused to give up his guardianship, and he eventually invaded Italy in 340. Constans sent his troops to deal with his brother, who was ambushed and killed months later, ensuring that Constans now ruled over two-thirds of the empire.<br/><br/> Constans was known for energetic rule, and some historians claimed he was homosexual and often indulged in great vices and scandalous behaviour with barbarian hostages. Constans became cruel and corrupt in his final years, and his preference for barbarian bodyguards caused the legions to turn against him. General Magnentius declared himself emperor in 350 and assassinated Constans.
Constantius Chlorus (250-306) was born into a noble framily from Dardania descended from emperors Claudius II and Quintillus, though this may have been a genealogical fabrication by Constantius' son Constantine I, with his real family instead being of humble origins.<br/><br/> Constantius joined the Roman army and served under various emperors, eventually being elevated to junior co-emperor alongside Galerius in 293, forming the Tetrarchy. His marriage to Emperor Maximian's daughter made him his son-in-law, and together they defeated the rebel emperor Allectus in Britain and campaigned heavily along the Rhine frontier against various Germanic tribes.<br/><br/> In 305, Diocletian and Maximian abdicated, elevating Constantius and Galerius to joint emperors. Constantius was fighting the Picts in Britain beyond the Antonine Wall when the declaration came, but he died suddenly a year later in Eboracum (York). His death led to the collapse of the Tetrarchy. His son would become Constantine the Great, and therefore Constantius was considered the founder of the Constantinian Dynasty.
Constantius II (317-361) was Emperor Constantine I's third son, and became co-emperor alongside his brothers Constantine II and Constans as well as his cousins Dalmatius and Hannibalianus after his father's death in 337. Constantius soon ordered a great purge of his cousins and other members of the imperial family, ensuring that power remained with himself and his brothers.<br/><br/> With the partitioning of the empire, Constantius received the eastern provinces and resumed war against the Sassanid Empire, repelling the invasions of the Persian king, Shapur II. Though he non-violently clashed with his brother Constantine II over religious issues and conflicting views over the Christian Church, he had no part to play in the war between Constantine II and Constans that led to the former's death in 340 and gave Constans sole rule over two-thirds of the empire.<br/><br/> When Constans was assassinated by the usurper Magnentius in 350, Constantius warred against him, feeling the position of emperor was his alone. The Battle of Mursa Major was considered one of the bloodiest and largest battles ever between two Roman armies, and resulted in a costly victory for Constantius. Magnentius eventually committed suicide in 353, and Constantius became sole ruler of the Roman Empire.<br/><br/> While he was busy fighting a resurgent Sassanid invasion, he was also beset by the revolt of his cousin Julian, whom he had named Caesar. Constantius II died as he was marching to face Julian in 361, and declared Julian his rightful successor on his deathbed.
Valens (328-378) was the brother of Valentinian, and lived in his brother's shadow for many years. When his brother was appointed emperor in 364 CE, he chose Valens to serve as co-emperor, obtaining the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Valens made Constantinople his capital.<br/><br/> Valens was soon presented with a usurper named Procopius in 365, a surviving relative of Emperor Julian who proclaimed himself emperor in Constantinople while Valens was away. He managed to defeat Procopius in the spring of 366, executing the usurper. He then warred against the revolting Goths, before heading back east to face the Sassanid Empire. A resurgent Gothic presence, alongside Huns and Alans, led to the commencement of the Gothic War, after an attempted resettlement of Goths had resulted in them revolting in 377.<br/><br/> Rather than wait for his nephew and co-emperor Gratian to arrive with reinforcements as advised by many, Valens marched out on his own. Valens was struck down during the decisive but avoidable Battle of Adrianople. He was known by some as the 'Last True Roman', and the battle that resulted in his death was considered the beginning of the collapse of the decaying Western Roman Empire.
Julian (331-363), also known as Julian the Apostate, was a member of the Constantinian Dynasty and cousin to Emperor Constantius II. Emperor Constantius II made him Caesar of the western provinces in 355 CE while he was busy fighting the Sassanid Empire in the east, entrusting Julian against the Alamanni and Franks.<br/><br/> Julian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers in 360 CE, and Constantius II died in 361 CE while marching to face him. Constantius claimed Julian as his rightful successor on his deathbed however. Unlike his recent predecessors, Julian was not a Christian or did not possess any Christian sympathies, returning the traditional religious practices of Rome to the detriment of Christianity and Judaism, resulting in him being named Julian the Apostate.<br/><br/> Julian died in 363 CE during his ambitious campaign against the Sassanid Empire, after he was mortally wounded in battle. He became the last non-Christian ruler of the Roman Empire, and the last of the Constantinian Dynasty.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Constantius II (317-361) was Emperor Constantine I's third son, and became co-emperor alongside his brothers Constantine II and Constans as well as his cousins Dalmatius and Hannibalianus after his father's death in 337. Constantius soon ordered a great purge of his cousins and other members of the imperial family, ensuring that power remained with himself and his brothers.<br/><br/> With the partitioning of the empire, Constantius received the eastern provinces and resumed war against the Sassanid Empire, repelling the invasions of the Persian king, Shapur II. Though he non-violently clashed with his brother Constantine II over religious issues and conflicting views over the Christian Church, he had no part to play in the war between Constantine II and Constans that led to the former's death in 340 and gave Constans sole rule over two-thirds of the empire.<br/><br/> When Constans was assassinated by the usurper Magnentius in 350, Constantius warred against him, feeling the position of emperor was his alone. The Battle of Mursa Major was considered one of the bloodiest and largest battles ever between two Roman armies, and resulted in a costly victory for Constantius. Magnentius eventually committed suicide in 353, and Constantius became sole ruler of the Roman Empire.<br/><br/> While he was busy fighting a resurgent Sassanid invasion, he was also beset by the revolt of his cousin Julian, whom he had named Caesar. Constantius II died as he was marching to face Julian in 361, and declared Julian his rightful successor on his deathbed.