Constantius II: Usurpers, Eunuchs and the Antichrist

by Peter Crawford

Overview

A compelling biography of Constantine I’s heir: “Excellent analyses of a number of battles and sieges . . . a good read for anyone interested in the late Empire.” —The NYMAS Review
 
The reign of Constantius II has been overshadowed by that of his titanic father, Constantine the Great, and his cousin and successor, the pagan Julian. But as Peter Crawford shows, Constantius deserves to be remembered as a very capable ruler in dangerous, tumultuous times.
 
When Constantine I died in 337, twenty-year-old Constantius and his two brothers, Constans and Constantine II, all received the title of Augustus to reign as equal co-emperors. In 340, however, Constantine II was killed in a fraternal civil war with Constans. The two remaining brothers shared the Empire for the next ten years, with Constantius ruling Egypt and the Asian provinces, constantly threatened by the Sassanid Persian Empire. Constans in turn was killed by the usurper Magnentius in 350. Constantius refused to accept this fait accompli, made war on Magnentius, and defeated him at the battles of Mursa Major and Mons Seleucus, leading Magnentius to commit suicide. Constantius was now sole ruler of the Empire—but it was an empire beset by external enemies.
 
This historical biography recounts Constantius’ life and his successful campaigns against the Germanic Alamanni along the Rhine and the Quadi and Sarmatians across the Danube, as well as his efforts against the Persians in the East, which had more mixed results—and reveals how he defended the Empire until his dying day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473883932
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr Peter Crawford gained a PhD in Ancient History at Queen's University, Belfast under the tutelage of respected classicist Professor Brian Campbell. His previous books, _The War of the Three Gods_ (2013) and _Constantius II_ (2015) were also published by Pen & Sword. He lives in County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ix

List of Plates xi

List of Illustrations and Tactical Diagrams xv

List of Emperors and Usurpers in the Fourth Century xvii

Constantinian-Tetrarchic Stemmata xix

Introduction xxii

Chapter I Crisis and Renewal : The Third Century and the Tetrarchy 1

Chapter II Preparation for the Purple: Constantius' Upbringing and Accession 19

Chapter III The Sins of the Father: Constantius' War with Shapur II 41

Chapter IV Fraternal Civil War and the Usurpation of Magnentius 63

Chapter V Drunk with Power: The Rise and Fall of Constantius Gallus 85

Chapter VI "This Turbulent Priest": Constantius, Athanasius and Religious Politics 102

Chapter VII From Student to Soldier: The Rise of Julian 124

Chapter VIII Adversus Barbaras: Constantius and Julian Across the Rivers 158

Chapter IX The Return of the King of Kings 175

Chapter X The Usurpation of Julian: Ungrateful Brat or Left No Choice? 210

Chapter XI War Within and Without: Constantius' Final Year 222

Epilogue Constantius II, A Good Emperor Lacking a Publicist? 246

Appendix I Consuls During the Life of Constantius II 255

Appendix II The Laws of Constantius II 258

Footnotes 273

Bibliography 317

Index 338

Editorial Reviews

"Crawford gives us several good accounts of various campaigns, including excellent analyses of a number of battles and sieges; notably those of Strasbourg, Amida, and Bezobde [...] This is a good read for anyone interested in the late Empire."

The NYMAS Review