Roman Emperor (Dominate)
Encyclopedia
The accession on November 20, 284, of Diocletian
, the lower-class, Greek-speaking Dalmatia
n commander of Carus's and Numerian's household cavalry, marked a major departure from traditional Roman constitutional theory regarding the Emperor, who was nominally first among equals during the Principate. Whereas before Emperors had worn only a purple toga and were greeted with deference, Diocletian wore jewelled robes and shoes, and required those who greeted him to kneel and kiss the hem of his robe. In many ways, Diocletian was the first monarchical Emperor, and this is symbolised by the fact that the word dominus ("Lord") rapidly replaced princeps as the favoured word for referring to the Emperor. In short, the Dominate represents a time when the emperors unabashedly showcased their status and authority compared to the earlier Principate.
The Dominate also featured a shift in the Empire's "center of gravity" from the west to the east, particularly after the establishment of Constantinople
; neither Diocletian nor his co-Emperor Maximian spent much time in Rome after 286, establishing their Imperial capitals at Nicomedia
and Mediolanum
(modern Milan), respectively.
was a system established by Diocletian to facilitate effective government of the Empire.
After acceding to power in 284, Diocletian decide to share the load of government with his friend Maximian
, whom he appointed co-regent in 286. Maximian was to use the title Caesar
, while Diocletian alone was Augusti
. Diocletian focused on the eastern parts of the Empire while Maximian focused on the west.
In 293, this system was further developed into the Tetrarchy: Maximian was elevated to the rank of Augustus and both Augusti appointed junior sub-emperors with the title Caesar.
There were two senior emperors (titled Augusti), one for the West and one for the East, and two junior sub-emperors (titled Caesares), one for each senior emperor. When the Augusti left office for whatever reason, the Caesares would become Augusti and appoint their own Caesares; the retired Augusti took the title senior augustus and were styled Patres Imperatorum et Caesarum ("Fathers of the Imperators and of the Caesars").
Note: In 307, the augustus Severus was murdered by mutinous soldiers while attempting to suppress the rebellion and usurpation of Maxentius, who had invited his father Maximian to return from retirement and reassume the purple as augustus with him. Maxentius and Maximian reigned in the West as augusti co-operating with Constantine as caesar until the Imperial conference at Carnutum in November 308, whereat Constantine confirmed as caesar, Maximian deposed, and Licinius appointed augustus in his place. Maxentius continued to hold power as a rival Emperor until 312; his father Maximian (the first Emperor to be restored) committed suicide after an attempt to don the purple a third time in 310.
, married Maxentius, son of Maximian by his wife Eutropia; Eutropia's first marriage (to Afranius Hannibalianus) had produced a daughter, Theodora, who became the second wife of Constantius Chlorus ("the Pale") in 289 (adopted by Maximian on March 1, 293). Constantius's marriage to Theodora produced a daughter, Constantia, who married Licinius; his first marriage to Helena
produced a son, Constantine, whose second wife was Fausta, sister of Maxentius and daughter of Maximian.
To summarise:
(caesar, 293, augustus, 305), an experienced Illyrian
soldier and general; the Constantiniani were originally another family of "Barracks Emperors". The dynasty retained and reinforced the monarchical evolution of the Imperial dignity, and sponsored the pivotal Edict of Milan
in 312, which extended official toleration to Christianity
, which religion had suffered considerable persecution under recent Emperors. Constantine I undertook major reforms of Imperial administration and military organisation, founded a new Imperial capital at Constantinople
on November 8, 324, summoned the first Christian ecumenical council
(I Nicaea
, 325), and became the first Christian Emperor in 337.
Before Constantine's death, he divided the Empire into four parts governed by caesares, apparently intending to re-establish the Tetrarchy. He left most of the West to his son Constantine II, the East to his son Constantius II
, Italia and the Upper Danube to his son Constans I, and Greece and the Lower Danube to his half-nephew Flavius Dalmatius
. Dalmatius was killed shortly after Constantine's death, and the Empire was divided into three parts.
In 340, Constantine II invaded Constans I's territory in Italia; he was defeated and killed at Aquileia
, and his provinces passed to the control of the brother whom he had attempted to displace.
In 340, Constans I annexed the provinces of his late brother Constantine II, and became Emperor of the whole West.
Magnentius's defeat in 353 by Constantius II
, the last of the brother Emperors, reunified the Empire under a single Emperor.
In 353, Constantius II defeated the usurper Magnentius at Lyon
and became sole Emperor.
) to die in battle with a foreign enemy (the Persians).
bore him a son, Constantine I whose second wife Fausta (daughter of Maximian and Eutropia; sister of Maxentius; half-sister of Constantius I's second wife Theodora) bore him three sons (Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans I) and two daughters (Constantia and Helena); these children were nieces and nephews of Maxentius, half-nieces and half-nephews of Licinius (who had married their father's half-sister), and grandchildren of Maximian. Constantius I's second wife Theodora (stepdaughter of Maximian and half-sister of Fausta) bore him two sons (Flavius Dalmatius and Iulius Constantius) and two daughters (Eutropia and Constantia, the wife of Licinius). Iulius Constantius's sons Constantius Gallus and Julian married Constantine I's daughters by Fausta, Constantia and Helena, respectively. Constantius II's daughter Constantia married Gratianus (see below), the son of Valentinian I (see below).
To summarise:
n extraction), is in a very loose sense a marital continuation of the Constantinian dynasty (Gratian
us was son-in-law of Constantius II
, the penultimate Constantinian Emperor). Although the dynastic founder, Valentinian I
, had made his career as a soldier and general, he was not a "Barracks Emperor"; rather, he was elevated to the purple by a conclave of senior generals and civil officials after the death of Jovian.
by the Turks in 1453.
After Valens's death in 378, control of the Empire in the East passed to his nephew-in-law, Theodosius I
(see below).
) bore him two children, a daughter (Galla, the second wife of Theodosius I; see below) and a son (Valentinian II).
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
, the lower-class, Greek-speaking Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
n commander of Carus's and Numerian's household cavalry, marked a major departure from traditional Roman constitutional theory regarding the Emperor, who was nominally first among equals during the Principate. Whereas before Emperors had worn only a purple toga and were greeted with deference, Diocletian wore jewelled robes and shoes, and required those who greeted him to kneel and kiss the hem of his robe. In many ways, Diocletian was the first monarchical Emperor, and this is symbolised by the fact that the word dominus ("Lord") rapidly replaced princeps as the favoured word for referring to the Emperor. In short, the Dominate represents a time when the emperors unabashedly showcased their status and authority compared to the earlier Principate.
The Dominate also featured a shift in the Empire's "center of gravity" from the west to the east, particularly after the establishment of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
; neither Diocletian nor his co-Emperor Maximian spent much time in Rome after 286, establishing their Imperial capitals at Nicomedia
Nicomedia
Nicomedia was an ancient city in what is now Turkey, founded in 712/11 BC as a Megarian colony and was originally known as Astacus . After being destroyed by Lysimachus, it was rebuilt by Nicomedes I of Bithynia in 264 BC under the name of Nicomedia, and has ever since been one of the most...
and Mediolanum
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
(modern Milan), respectively.
Tetrarchy
The TetrarchyTetrarchy
The term Tetrarchy describes any system of government where power is divided among four individuals, but usually refers to the tetrarchy instituted by Roman Emperor Diocletian in 293, marking the end of the Crisis of the Third Century and the recovery of the Roman Empire...
was a system established by Diocletian to facilitate effective government of the Empire.
After acceding to power in 284, Diocletian decide to share the load of government with his friend Maximian
Maximian
Maximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
, whom he appointed co-regent in 286. Maximian was to use the title Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
, while Diocletian alone was Augusti
Augustus (honorific)
Augustus , Latin for "majestic," "the increaser," or "venerable", was an Ancient Roman title, which was first held by Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus , and subsequently came to be considered one of the titles of what are now known as the Roman Emperors...
. Diocletian focused on the eastern parts of the Empire while Maximian focused on the west.
In 293, this system was further developed into the Tetrarchy: Maximian was elevated to the rank of Augustus and both Augusti appointed junior sub-emperors with the title Caesar.
There were two senior emperors (titled Augusti), one for the West and one for the East, and two junior sub-emperors (titled Caesares), one for each senior emperor. When the Augusti left office for whatever reason, the Caesares would become Augusti and appoint their own Caesares; the retired Augusti took the title senior augustus and were styled Patres Imperatorum et Caesarum ("Fathers of the Imperators and of the Caesars").
Emperors in the East
- Augustus: DiocletianDiocletianDiocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
, 284 – 305- Caesar: GaleriusGaleriusGalerius , was Roman Emperor from 305 to 311. During his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300...
("Galerius Valerius Maximianus Nob. Caesar"; b. Galerius Valerius Maximianus), 293 – 305
- Caesar: Galerius
- Augustus: GaleriusGaleriusGalerius , was Roman Emperor from 305 to 311. During his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300...
("Imp. Caesar Galerius Valerius Maximianus P.F. Invictus Aug."; b. Galerius Valerius Maximianus), 305 – 311- Caesar: Maximinus "Daia"MaximinusMaximinus II , also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, was Roman Emperor from 308 to 313. He was born of Dacian peasant stock to the half sister of the emperor Galerius near their family lands around Felix Romuliana; a rural area then in the Danubian region of Moesia, now Eastern Serbia.He...
("C. Valerius Galerius Maximinus Nob. Caesar"; b. C. Valerius Galerius Maximinus), 305 – 311
- Caesar: Maximinus "Daia"
- Augustus: Maximinus "Daia"MaximinusMaximinus II , also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, was Roman Emperor from 308 to 313. He was born of Dacian peasant stock to the half sister of the emperor Galerius near their family lands around Felix Romuliana; a rural area then in the Danubian region of Moesia, now Eastern Serbia.He...
("Imp. Caesar Valerius Galerius Maximinus P.F. Invictus Aug."; b. C. Valerius Galerius Maximinus), 311 – 313
Emperors in the West
- Augustus: MaximianMaximianMaximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
, 293 – 305- Note: Maximian had been co-Emperor (Caesar) with Diocletian from 286 to 293 prior to the establishment of the Tetrarchy
- Caesar: Constantius I "Chlorus"Constantius ChlorusConstantius I , commonly known as Constantius Chlorus, was Roman Emperor from 293 to 306. He was the father of Constantine the Great and founder of the Constantinian dynasty. As Caesar he defeated the usurper Allectus in Britain and campaigned extensively along the Rhine frontier, defeating the...
("C. Flavius Valerius Constantius Nob. Caesar"; b. C. Flavius Valerius Constantius), 293 – 305
- Augustus: Constantius I "Chlorus"Constantius ChlorusConstantius I , commonly known as Constantius Chlorus, was Roman Emperor from 293 to 306. He was the father of Constantine the Great and founder of the Constantinian dynasty. As Caesar he defeated the usurper Allectus in Britain and campaigned extensively along the Rhine frontier, defeating the...
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Valerius Constantius Aug."; b. C. Flavius Valerius Constantius), 305 – 306- Caesar: Flavius Valerius SeverusFlavius Valerius SeverusSeverus , sometimes known as Severus II, was a Western Roman Emperor from 306 to 307.- Officer in the Roman army :Severus was of humble birth, born in the Illyrian provinces around the middle of the third century AD...
("Flavius Valerius Severus Nob. Caesar"; b. Flavius Valerius Severus), 305 – 306
- Caesar: Flavius Valerius Severus
- Augustus: Flavius Valerius SeverusFlavius Valerius SeverusSeverus , sometimes known as Severus II, was a Western Roman Emperor from 306 to 307.- Officer in the Roman army :Severus was of humble birth, born in the Illyrian provinces around the middle of the third century AD...
("Imp. Caesar Severus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Valerius Severus), 306 – 307- Caesar: Constantine IConstantine IConstantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
("Flavius Valerius Constantinus Nob. Caesar"; b. C. Flavius Valerius Constantinus), 306 – 307- Note: Constantius's soldiers had proclaimed Constantine augustus immediately upon Constantius's death on July 25, 306, but the augustus in the East, Galerius, acknowledged him only as caesar to Severus
- Caesar: Constantine I
- Augusti: MaxentiusMaxentiusMaxentius was a Roman Emperor from 306 to 312. He was the son of former Emperor Maximian, and the son-in-law of Emperor Galerius.-Birth and early life:Maxentius' exact date of birth is unknown; it was probably around 278...
("Imp. Caesar M. Aurelius Valerius Maxentius P.F. Invictus Aug."; b. M. Aurelius Valerius Maxentius) and MaximianMaximianMaximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
("Imp. Caesar M. Aurelius Valerius Maximianus P.F. Invictus Aug."; b. Maximianus), 307 – 308- Caesar: Constantine IConstantine IConstantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
, 307 – 308 (styled "Imp. Caesar Constantinus P.F. Invictus Aug." from 307)
- Caesar: Constantine I
Note: In 307, the augustus Severus was murdered by mutinous soldiers while attempting to suppress the rebellion and usurpation of Maxentius, who had invited his father Maximian to return from retirement and reassume the purple as augustus with him. Maxentius and Maximian reigned in the West as augusti co-operating with Constantine as caesar until the Imperial conference at Carnutum in November 308, whereat Constantine confirmed as caesar, Maximian deposed, and Licinius appointed augustus in his place. Maxentius continued to hold power as a rival Emperor until 312; his father Maximian (the first Emperor to be restored) committed suicide after an attempt to don the purple a third time in 310.
- Augustus: LiciniusLiciniusLicinius I , was Roman Emperor from 308 to 324. Co-author of the Edict of Milan that granted official toleration to Christians in the Roman Empire, for the majority of his reign he was the rival of Constantine I...
("Imp. Caesar C. Valerius Licinianus Licinius P.F. Invictus Aug."; b. C. Valerius Licinianus Licinius), 308 – 313- Caesar: Constantine IConstantine IConstantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
, 308 – 313
- Caesar: Constantine I
Tetrarchical relationships
Diocletians wife Prisca bore him a daughter Galeria Valeria, who married Galerius (whom Diocletian had adopted and appointed caesar on March 1, 293). Galerius's sister gave birth to a son, Maximinus Daia, and Galerius's daughter by his first wife, Valeria MaximillaValeria Maximilla
Valeria Maximilla was the Empress of Rome and wife of Emperor Maxentius.She was the daughter of Emperor Galerius and his first wife, whose name is unknown. She married Maxentius around 293 and bore him two sons. The eldest, Valerius Romulus, was born c. 294, the other son's name is not recorded,...
, married Maxentius, son of Maximian by his wife Eutropia; Eutropia's first marriage (to Afranius Hannibalianus) had produced a daughter, Theodora, who became the second wife of Constantius Chlorus ("the Pale") in 289 (adopted by Maximian on March 1, 293). Constantius's marriage to Theodora produced a daughter, Constantia, who married Licinius; his first marriage to Helena
Helena of Constantinople
Saint Helena also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I...
produced a son, Constantine, whose second wife was Fausta, sister of Maxentius and daughter of Maximian.
To summarise:
- Diocletian: father-in-law and adoptive father of Galerius
- Maximian: father of Maxentius, adoptive father and stepfather-in-law of Constantius I "Chlorus", father-in-law of Constantine, stepgrandfather-in-law of Licinius
- Galerius: son-in-law and adopted son of Diocletian, uncle of Maximinus Daia, father-in-law of Maxentius
- Constantius I "Chlorus": father (and stepbrother-in-law) of Constantine, father-in-law of Licinius, adopted son and stepson-in-law of Maximian, adoptive brother and half-brother-in-law of Maxentius
- Maximinus Daia: nephew of Galerius
- Constantine: son (and stepbrother-in-law) of Constantius I "Chlorus", son-in-law of Maximian, brother-in-law of Maxentius, half-brother-in-law of Licinius
- Maxentius: son of Maximian, son-in-law of Galerius, adoptive brother and half-brother-in-law of Constantius I "Chlorus", brother-in-law of Constantine
- Licinius: son-in-law of Constantius I "Chlorus", half-brother-in-law of Constantine, half-nephew of Maxentius, stepgrandson-in-law of Maximian
- See also Constantinian dynastyConstantinian dynastyThe Constantinian dynasty is an informal name for the ruling family of the Roman Empire from Constantius Chlorus to the death of Julian in 363. It is named after its most famous member, Constantine the Great who became the sole ruler of the empire in 324...
End of the Tetrarchy
The death of Galerius in May 311 and Constantine's spectacular victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312, left only three Emperors: in the East, Maximinus Daia and Licinius; in the West, Constantine. Licinius defeated Maximinus Daia in April 313 at Tarsus, and the latter committed suicide shortly thereafter, leaving Licinius and Constantine the only Emperors; they governed the Empire along the usual lines of East and West, respectively, discarded the defunct Tetrarchical system, warred against one another in 316 – 317, and again in 324 – 325. The execution of Licinius in spring 325 left Constantine the first sole Emperor since Diocletian made Maximian his co-Emperor in 286.Emperor in the East
- LiciniusLiciniusLicinius I , was Roman Emperor from 308 to 324. Co-author of the Edict of Milan that granted official toleration to Christians in the Roman Empire, for the majority of his reign he was the rival of Constantine I...
(cont'd.), 313 – 324- Aurelius Valerius ValensValerius ValensAurelius Valerius Valens was Roman Emperor from late 316 to March 1, 317. Valens had previously been dux limitis in Dacia, but this is all we know of him....
, 316 – 317 (as "Imp. Caesar Aurelius Valerius Valens P.F. Aug.") - (?)Sextus Marcius(?) Martinianus, 324 (as "Imp. Caesar Marcius Martinianus P.F. Aug.")
- Aurelius Valerius Valens
Emperor in the West
- Constantine IConstantine IConstantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
, 312 – 324 (styled "Imp. Caesar Constantinus P.F. Victor Aug." from 324)
Constantinian Dynasty
The Constantinian dynasty properly began with Constantius "Chlorus"Constantius Chlorus
Constantius I , commonly known as Constantius Chlorus, was Roman Emperor from 293 to 306. He was the father of Constantine the Great and founder of the Constantinian dynasty. As Caesar he defeated the usurper Allectus in Britain and campaigned extensively along the Rhine frontier, defeating the...
(caesar, 293, augustus, 305), an experienced Illyrian
Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum
The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum was one of four praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided.The administrative centre of the prefecture was Sirmium , and, after 379, Thessalonica...
soldier and general; the Constantiniani were originally another family of "Barracks Emperors". The dynasty retained and reinforced the monarchical evolution of the Imperial dignity, and sponsored the pivotal Edict of Milan
Edict of Milan
The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by emperors Constantine I and Licinius that proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire...
in 312, which extended official toleration to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, which religion had suffered considerable persecution under recent Emperors. Constantine I undertook major reforms of Imperial administration and military organisation, founded a new Imperial capital at Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
on November 8, 324, summoned the first Christian ecumenical council
Ecumenical council
An ecumenical council is a conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice....
(I Nicaea
First Council of Nicaea
The First Council of Nicaea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325...
, 325), and became the first Christian Emperor in 337.
Constantinian Emperors
- Constantine IConstantine IConstantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
, 324 – 337
Before Constantine's death, he divided the Empire into four parts governed by caesares, apparently intending to re-establish the Tetrarchy. He left most of the West to his son Constantine II, the East to his son Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
, Italia and the Upper Danube to his son Constans I, and Greece and the Lower Danube to his half-nephew Flavius Dalmatius
Flavius Dalmatius
Flavius Dalmatius , also known as Dalmatius the Censor, was a censor , and a member of the Constantinian dynasty, which ruled over the Roman Empire at the beginning of the 4th century....
. Dalmatius was killed shortly after Constantine's death, and the Empire was divided into three parts.
Emperor in Britannia, Hispania, and Gallia
- Constantine IIConstantine II (emperor)Constantine II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 340. Co-emperor alongside his brothers, his short reign saw the beginnings of conflict emerge between the sons of Constantine the Great, and his attempt to exert his perceived rights of primogeniture ended up causing his death in a failed invasion of...
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Claudius Constantinus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Claudius Constantinus), 337 – 340
In 340, Constantine II invaded Constans I's territory in Italia; he was defeated and killed at Aquileia
Aquileia
Aquileia is an ancient Roman city in what is now Italy, at the head of the Adriatic at the edge of the lagoons, about 10 km from the sea, on the river Natiso , the course of which has changed somewhat since Roman times...
, and his provinces passed to the control of the brother whom he had attempted to displace.
Emperor in Italia and Africa
- Constans I ("Imp. Caesar Flavius Iulius Constans P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Iulius Constans), 337 – 340
In 340, Constans I annexed the provinces of his late brother Constantine II, and became Emperor of the whole West.
Emperors in the West
- Constans I (cont'd.), 340 – 350
- usurper: MagnentiusMagnentiusFlavius Magnus Magnentius was a usurper of the Roman Empire .-Early life and career:...
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Magnus Magnentius P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Magnus Magnentius), 350 – 353
Magnentius's defeat in 353 by Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
, the last of the brother Emperors, reunified the Empire under a single Emperor.
Emperor in the East
- Constantius IIConstantius IIConstantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Iulius Constantius P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Iulius Constantius), 337 – 361
In 353, Constantius II defeated the usurper Magnentius at Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
and became sole Emperor.
Emperors
Julian the Apostate famously attempted to restore paganism in the Empire, and became the second Emperor (after DeciusDecius
Trajan Decius , was Roman Emperor from 249 to 251. In the last year of his reign, he co-ruled with his son Herennius Etruscus until they were both killed in the Battle of Abrittus.-Early life and rise to power:...
) to die in battle with a foreign enemy (the Persians).
- Constantius IIConstantius IIConstantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
(cont'd.), 353 – 361- JulianJulian the ApostateJulian "the Apostate" , commonly known as Julian, or also Julian the Philosopher, was Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 and a noted philosopher and Greek writer....
, 355 – 361 (as "Flavius Claudius Iulianus Nob. Caesar")- JulianJulian the ApostateJulian "the Apostate" , commonly known as Julian, or also Julian the Philosopher, was Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 and a noted philosopher and Greek writer....
's loyalists proclaimed him Augustus in 360, but he did not fully assume the purple until Constantius II's death in November 361
- Julian
- Julian
- JulianJulian the ApostateJulian "the Apostate" , commonly known as Julian, or also Julian the Philosopher, was Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 and a noted philosopher and Greek writer....
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Claudius Iulianus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Claudius Iulianus), 361 – 363- Note: Julian had been co-Emperor with Constantius II from 355 until his own accession to the purple in 361
Dynastic relationships
Constantius I "Chlorus" married twice; his first wife St. HelenaHelena of Constantinople
Saint Helena also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I...
bore him a son, Constantine I whose second wife Fausta (daughter of Maximian and Eutropia; sister of Maxentius; half-sister of Constantius I's second wife Theodora) bore him three sons (Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans I) and two daughters (Constantia and Helena); these children were nieces and nephews of Maxentius, half-nieces and half-nephews of Licinius (who had married their father's half-sister), and grandchildren of Maximian. Constantius I's second wife Theodora (stepdaughter of Maximian and half-sister of Fausta) bore him two sons (Flavius Dalmatius and Iulius Constantius) and two daughters (Eutropia and Constantia, the wife of Licinius). Iulius Constantius's sons Constantius Gallus and Julian married Constantine I's daughters by Fausta, Constantia and Helena, respectively. Constantius II's daughter Constantia married Gratianus (see below), the son of Valentinian I (see below).
To summarise:
- Constantius I "Chlorus": father (and stepbrother-in-law) of Constantine I, grandfather of Constantine II, Constantius II, Constans I, and Julian the Apostate, father-in-law of Licinius, adopted son and stepson-in-law of Maximian, adoptive brother and half-brother-in-law of Maxentius
- Constantine I: son (and stepbrother-in-law) of Constantius I "Chlorus", son-in-law of Maximian, brother-in-law of Maxentius, half-brother-in-law of Licinius, father of CrispusCrispusFlavius Julius Crispus , also known as Flavius Claudius Crispus and Flavius Valerius Crispus, was a Caesar of the Roman Empire. He was the first-born son of Constantine I and Minervina.-Birth:...
, Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans I, half-uncle and father-in-law of Julian the Apostate - Constantine II: son of Constantine I, grandson of Constantius I "Chlorus", grandson of Maximian, nephew of Maxentius, half-nephew of Licinius, brother of Crispus, Constantius II, and Constans I, half-cousin and brother-in-law of Julian the Apostate
- Constantius II: son of Constantine I, grandson of Constantius I "Chlorus", grandson of Maximian, nephew of Maxentius, half-nephew of Licinius, brother of Crispus, Constantine II, and Constans I, half-cousin and brother-in-law of Julian the Apostate, father-in-law of Gratianus
- Constans I: son of Constantine I, grandson of Constantius I "Chlorus", grandson of Maximian, nephew of Maxentius, half-nephew of Licinius, brother of Crispus, Constantine II, and Constantius II, half-cousin and brother-in-law of Julian the Apostate
- Julian the Apostate: grandson of Constantius I "Chlorus", step-great-grandson of Maximian, step-great-nephew of Maxentius, half-nephew and son-in-law of Constantine I, half-cousin and brother-in-law of Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans I
Jovian
Jovian was one of Julian the Apostate's senior generals, and was chosen as his successor by the army shortly after his death in 363; he died in February 364 without heir.- Jovian ("Imp. Caesar Flavius Iovianus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Iovianus), 363 – 364
Valentinian Dynasty
The Valentinian dynasty, yet another lower-class military family (this time of PannoniaPannonia
Pannonia was an ancient province of the Roman Empire bounded north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy, and southward with Dalmatia and upper Moesia....
n extraction), is in a very loose sense a marital continuation of the Constantinian dynasty (Gratian
Gratian
Gratian was Roman Emperor from 375 to 383.The eldest son of Valentinian I, during his youth Gratian accompanied his father on several campaigns along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. Upon the death of Valentinian in 375, Gratian's brother Valentinian II was declared emperor by his father's soldiers...
us was son-in-law of Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
, the penultimate Constantinian Emperor). Although the dynastic founder, Valentinian I
Valentinian I
Valentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
, had made his career as a soldier and general, he was not a "Barracks Emperor"; rather, he was elevated to the purple by a conclave of senior generals and civil officials after the death of Jovian.
Valentinian Emperors
- Valentinian IValentinian IValentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Valentinianus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Valentinianus), 364 – 375
Emperors in the West
- Valentinian IValentinian IValentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
, 364 – 375- GratianGratianGratian was Roman Emperor from 375 to 383.The eldest son of Valentinian I, during his youth Gratian accompanied his father on several campaigns along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. Upon the death of Valentinian in 375, Gratian's brother Valentinian II was declared emperor by his father's soldiers...
, 367 – 375 (as "Imp. Caesar Flavius Gratianus P.F. Aug.")
- Gratian
- GratianGratianGratian was Roman Emperor from 375 to 383.The eldest son of Valentinian I, during his youth Gratian accompanied his father on several campaigns along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. Upon the death of Valentinian in 375, Gratian's brother Valentinian II was declared emperor by his father's soldiers...
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Gratianus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Gratianus), 375 – 383- Note: Gratian had been co-Emperor with Valentinian I from 367 until his own accession to the purple in 375
- Valentinian IIValentinian IIFlavius Valentinianus , commonly known as Valentinian II, was Roman Emperor from 375 to 392.-Early Life and Accession :...
, 375 – 383 (as "Imp. Caesar Flavius Valentinianus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Valentinianus)
- Valentinian IIValentinian IIFlavius Valentinianus , commonly known as Valentinian II, was Roman Emperor from 375 to 392.-Early Life and Accession :...
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Valentinianus P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Valentinianus), 383 – 392- Note: Valentinian II had been co-Emperor with Gratian from 375 until his own accession to the purple in 383
Emperor in the East
Valens became the third Emperor (after Decius and Julian) to be killed in battle with a foreign enemy (the Goths); only two more Emperors were ever killed in battle by foreign enemies: Nikephoros I by the Bulgars in 811 and Konstantinos XI PalaeologosConstantine XI
Constantine XI Palaiologos, latinized as Palaeologus , Kōnstantinos XI Dragasēs Palaiologos; February 8, 1404 – May 29, 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor from 1449 to his death as member of the Palaiologos dynasty...
by the Turks in 1453.
- ValensValensValens was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter's accession to the throne...
("Imp. Caesar Flavius Valens P.F. Aug."; b. Flavius Valens), 364 – 378
After Valens's death in 378, control of the Empire in the East passed to his nephew-in-law, Theodosius I
Theodosius I
Theodosius I , also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. Theodosius was the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and the western halves of the Roman Empire. During his reign, the Goths secured control of Illyricum after the Gothic War, establishing their homeland...
(see below).
Dynastic Relationships
Valentinian I was the twice-married brother of Valens; his first wife Marina Severa bore him one son (Gratian, whose first wife was Constantia, the daughter of Constantius II), and his second wife Justina (the widow of MagnentiusMagnentius
Flavius Magnus Magnentius was a usurper of the Roman Empire .-Early life and career:...
) bore him two children, a daughter (Galla, the second wife of Theodosius I; see below) and a son (Valentinian II).