13 Facts About Constans

Constans held the imperial rank of caesar from 333, and was the youngest son of Constantine the Great.

Constans was given the administration of the praetorian prefectures of Italy, Illyricum, and Africa.

Sources variously report Constans' age at the time of his death as 27 or 30, meaning he was born in either 320 or 323.

Constans was the third and youngest son of Constantine I and Fausta.

Meanwhile, Constans came into conflict with his eldest brother Constantine II over the latter's presumed authority over Constans' territory.

Additionally, after recording attacks "near the frontiers" in 360, the historian wrote that the Alamanni were too much of a threat for Julian to confront the problem, in contrast to what Constans was able to do.

Constans was accused of employing corrupt ministers during his reign, due to his purported personal greed.

Constans issued an edict banning superstition and pagan sacrifices in 341, his justification being that he was following the precedent set by his father.

Constans used the military to suppress Donatism in Africa, where the church was split between Donatists and Catholics.

Unlike Constantius, Constans was targeted with gossip over his personal life.

At the time, Constans was distracted by a hunting trip.

An alleged prophecy at his birth had said Constans would die "in the arms of his grandmother".

Harries does acknowledge how the Gallic army accepted Magnentius seemingly without difficulty, and how according to Zosimus, Constantius' official Philippus emphasized Constantine, rather than Constans, when addressing Magnentius' troops.