Constantius II in Roman Biography

Constantius [Fr. Constance, k6N'stdNs'] H., (Flavius Julius,) the third son of Constantine I., Emperor of Rome, was born at Sirmium in 317 A.D. By his father's will he inherited the Asiatic provinces and Egypt in 337. It is said that he ordered or permitted the massacre of his father's nephews, brother, etc. at the time of his accession. During nearly all his reign he was at war with the Persians, by whom he was often defeated. In 350 the revolt of Magnentius resulted in the death of Constans, Emperor of the West. Constantius turned his arms against Magnentius, whom he defeated at Mursa, on the Drave, in 351, and in Gaul in 353, after which he was master of the whole empire. In 355 he appointed his cousin Julian, Caesar and commander in Gaul, and in 357 visited Rome for the first time. He favoured the Arians, and banished the orthodox bishops. Julian having been proclaimed emperor by his army in Gaul, Constantius was marching to attack him, when he died near Tarsus in 361, and was succeeded by Julian. His reputation is not high either for talents or for virtue. See Eusebius, " Vita Constantii :" Tiixemont, "Histoire des Empereurs ;" Gibbon, " Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."