Constans I

Constans I ruled the western Roman Empire for a decade and was killed by a usurper from his own court. Born around 323, he was the youngest of Constantine the Great's three surviving sons. On their father's death in 337 the army massacred most of the rest of the dynasty — two uncles and seven cousins — leaving the brothers to divide the empire between them. Constans received Italy, Africa and Illyricum, and was about fourteen. His eldest brother Constantine II demanded a share of it and invaded in 340. Constans was in Dacia; he sent an advance guard, which ambushed and killed his brother near Aquileia, and inherited Gaul, Spain and Britain by default. He campaigned successfully against the Franks and crossed to Britain in the winter of 343, a crossing considered remarkable enough to be recorded, probably to deal with unrest on the northern frontier. He was a firm Nicene Christian, while his surviving brother Constantius II in the east favoured the Arians, and Constans pressed him hard over the restoration of Athanasius to Alexandria — at one point, according to hostile sources, with the threat of war. He legislated against pagan sacrifice and, in 342, issued with his brother the first Roman law against same-sex marriage. His government became unpopular: heavy taxation, favouritism towards a small circle, and a reputation for arrogance and for scandal with his barbarian bodyguards. Magnentius, a commander of Germanic origin, was proclaimed at Autun in 350. Constans fled towards Spain and was caught and killed at a fort in the Pyrenees.

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