Constantine II Biography and Timeline

Birth of Constantine II

Constantine II, son of Constantine I and Fausta, is born at Arelate in Gaul during the summer of 316; the precise date remains uncertain.

Full Imperial Name

The future emperor is known as Flavius Claudius Constantinus, a son of Constantine I and Fausta.

Caesar Proclamation at Serdica

Constantine II is formally proclaimed Caesar at Serdica alongside Crispus and Licinius Junior.

Christian Upbringing

Constantine II is raised as a Christian within the imperial household of Constantine I.

First Consulship

Constantine II serves his first consulship jointly with his father, Constantine I.

Second Consulship

Constantine II serves a second consulship, sharing the office with his half-brother Crispus.

Fifth Anniversary as Caesar

The fifth anniversary of Constantine II's elevation as Caesar is celebrated with an imperial panegyric associated with Nazarius.

Sarmatian Campaign

As a young Caesar, Constantine II appears to participate in his father's military operations against the Sarmatians.

Sarmatian Victory Coinage

Coinage commemorates Constantine II's association with the victory following his father's campaign against the Sarmatians.

Third Consulship

Constantine II serves a third consulship alongside Crispus during the final war between Constantine I and Licinius.

Nominal Administration of Gaul

At about ten years old, Constantine II is placed nominally in charge of Gaul under the supervision of experienced officials and commanders.

Senior Position after Crispus

The execution of his half-brother Crispus leaves Constantine II as the senior surviving son already holding the rank of Caesar.

Alamannicus Title

An inscription dated to about 328–330 associates Constantine II with the victory title Alamannicus after success against the Alamanni.

Court Established at Trier

Constantine II establishes his own court at Trier after previously residing mainly with his father.

Alamanni Campaign

Forces under Constantine II's authority campaign successfully against the Alamanni on the Rhine frontier.

Constantine Caesar Claims Alamannic Victory

Inscriptions credit the young Constantine II with Alamannic victories won by troops operating under his western military authority.

Fourth Consulship

Constantine II serves a fourth consulship, again holding the office jointly with Constantine I.

Alamannic Victory Credited to Caesar

Inscriptions credit Constantine II with Alamannic success won by imperial forces operating under his authority in the western provinces.

Victory Games in Rome

Festival games are held in Rome to publicize Constantine II's military successes and imperial standing.

Germanicus Maximus Title

After the Gothic campaign, Constantine II receives the victory title Germanicus Maximus.

Gothic Field Command

Constantine II serves as a field commander during Constantine I's campaign against the Goths on the Danube frontier.

Gothic Ruler Surrenders

The Gothic campaign ends with the submission of the Gothic ruler Ariaric after Constantine II's field command.

Victory over the Goths

Constantine II's forces defeat Gothic opponents during the campaign conducted under his father's overall authority.

Court in Gaul

Before Constantine I's death, Constantine II maintains his court in Gaul as a senior Caesar of the Constantinian dynasty.

Dalmatius Made Caesar

Constantine I elevates Dalmatius as another Caesar, expanding the imperial college in which Constantine II is already a senior member.

Marriage of Constantine II

By the middle of the 330s Constantine II is married, although surviving sources do not preserve his wife's name.

Senior Western Caesar

By the mid-330s, Constantine II is an established senior Caesar with a court in Gaul and responsibilities in the western provinces.

Death of Constantine I

Constantine I dies, opening the succession that elevates Constantine II and his brothers to rule separate parts of the empire.

Letter Recalling Athanasius

While still Caesar, Constantine II writes from Trier authorizing Bishop Athanasius to return from exile to Alexandria.

Acclaimed Augustus

The army acclaims Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans as Augusti after the Constantinian succession settlement.

Claim of Seniority among Brothers

Constantine II begins asserting a senior position among Constantine I's sons, a claim that later contributes to conflict with Constans.

Dynastic Purge after Constantine I

Male relatives including Dalmatius and Hannibalianus are killed after Constantine I's death; there is no firm evidence that Constantine II personally ordered the purge.

Limited Gain from Dalmatius Removal

After Dalmatius is killed in the dynastic purge, Constantine II receives relatively little of the territory originally intended for his cousin.

Rule of Britain

The territorial settlement following Constantine I's death assigns Britain to Constantine II's western realm.

Role range: 0337-0340

Rule of Gaul

The succession settlement gives Constantine II control of Gaul as part of his share of the Roman Empire.

Role range: 0337-0340

Rule of Spain

Constantine II receives Spain as part of the western territories assigned to him after his father's death.

Role range: 0337-0340

Theodora Commemorative Coinage

Coinage honoring Flavia Maximiana Theodora is produced at Trier after the dynastic killings, with Constantine II's mint playing a leading role.

Western Imperial Share

Constantine II's imperial share consists principally of Britain, Gaul, and Spain, while Italy and Africa remain under Constans.

Role range: 0337-0340

African Jurisdiction Dispute

The brothers dispute how African territories should be divided between administrative regions associated with Carthage and Italy.

Role range: 0337-0340

Claim to Senior Imperial Authority

Constantine II asserts that his greater age gives him senior standing over his younger brothers within the imperial college.

Role range: 0337-0340