Constantius Chlorus
Flavius Valerius Constantius entered the world on the 31st of March, though historians cannot name his birth year. His career and the age of his eldest son suggest a date no later than 250 AD. He hailed from Moesia Superior, a Roman province situated on the south bank of the Middle Danube river. Modern scholars suspect his family held humble origins rather than noble status. The Historia Augusta claims he was the son of Eutropius, a nobleman, but this genealogy appears fabricated by his son Constantine I. This fabrication likely aimed to dissociate his father's background from the memory of Emperor Maximian. Constantius served as a member of the Protectores Augusti Nostri under Emperor Aurelian. He fought in the eastern campaigns against the secessionist Palmyrene Empire. While some sources claim he became a dux under Probus, that assertion is probably false. He certainly attained the rank of tribunus within the army during his early service. Under the reign of Carus, he rose to become praeses, or governor, of Dalmatia.
Diocletian allowed Maximian to promote Constantius into a new power sharing arrangement known as the Tetrarchy in 293. On the 1st of March 293 at Mediolanum, now Milan, Constantius was formally appointed as Maximian's caesar. He adopted Diocletian's nomen Valerius and took on Herculius while being equated with Maximian. His assigned command included Gaul, Britannia, and possibly Hispania. Diocletian elevated Galerius as his own caesar around the 21st of May 293 at Philippopolis to maintain balance. Constantius held seniority among the two caesares and always appeared before Galerius on official documents. His capital resided at Augusta Treverorum, modern-day Trier. This structural division split the Roman Empire into Western and Eastern portions ruled by augusti supported by caesars. Both caesars possessed the right of succession once their ruling augustus died. The system aimed to stabilize an empire facing constant external threats and internal instability.
Constantius faced the usurper Carausius who declared himself emperor in Britannia and northern Gaul in 286. In late 293 he defeated Carausius forces in Gaul and captured Bononia, known today as Boulogne-sur-Mer. Carausius was assassinated by his finance officer Allectus who assumed command until his death in 296. Constantius spent two years neutralizing Frankish allies of Allectus while northern Gaul remained under British control. He assembled two invasion fleets to cross the English Channel when ready. Julius Asclepiodotus led one fleet from the Seine mouth while Constantius launched another from Bononia. Asclepiodotus landed near the Isle of Wight where his army defeated and killed Allectus. Constantius occupied Londinium, saving it from Frankish mercenaries roaming without pay. He massacred all these mercenaries to secure the province. Later in 298 he fought at Lingones against the Alemanni after being shut up for six hours. He defeated them again at Vindonissa to strengthen Rhine frontier defenses. By 300 he fought Franks on the Rhine and settled them in deserted parts of Gaul.
From 303 onward Constantius began enforcing imperial edicts dealing with the persecution of Christians. These orders mandated the destruction of churches across the empire. Galerius avidly pursued this campaign noticing Constantius was well-disposed towards Christians. Galerius saw enforcement as a method to advance his career prospects with aging Diocletian. Of the four Tetrarchs, Constantius made the least effort to implement decrees in western provinces. He limited himself to knocking down a handful of churches rather than hunting believers. Eusebius denied that Constantius destroyed Christian buildings entirely. Lactantius records that he did demolish some structures. The historical evidence remains divided between those who claim leniency and those documenting active demolition. This policy contrasted sharply with the brutal campaigns waged by Galerius in the east.
Diocletian and Maximian stepped down as co-emperors on the 1st of May 305 possibly due to poor health. At Mediolanum Maximian removed his purple cloak and handed it to Severus while proclaiming Constantius augustus. A similar scene played out at Nicomedia under Diocletian's authority. Constantius ruled western provinces as senior emperor while Galerius took eastern territories. Constantine fled Galerius court after Constantius requested his release due to illness. He joined his father at the coast of Gaul just before preparing for Britain. In 305 Constantius crossed into Britain and traveled far north to launch an expedition against Picts. He claimed victory and received title Britannicus Maximus II by the 7th of January 306. After retiring to Eboracum for winter, he planned to continue campaigning but died suddenly.
Constantius died suddenly at Eboracum, modern-day York, on the 25th of July 306. As he lay dying, he recommended his son to the army as successor. Consequently, Constantine was declared emperor by legions stationed at York. The army perhaps acted at his own instigation during this moment of transition. This immediate acclamation contributed to the collapse of the Diocletianic tetrarchy system. It sparked a series of civil wars ending only when Constantine united the empire in 324. Modern historians describe him as an able general and generous ruler despite propaganda challenges. His descendants, the Constantinian dynasty, ruled until grandson Julian died in 363. The nickname Chlorus appeared later among Byzantine-era historians rather than during his lifetime.
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Common questions
When was Constantius Chlorus born and where did he come from?
Flavius Valerius Constantius entered the world on the 31st of March though historians cannot name his birth year. He hailed from Moesia Superior, a Roman province situated on the south bank of the Middle Danube river.
Who appointed Constantius Chlorus as Caesar in 293 AD?
Diocletian allowed Maximian to promote Constantius into a new power sharing arrangement known as the Tetrarchy in 293. On the 1st of March 293 at Mediolanum now Milan Constantius was formally appointed as Maximian's caesar.
How did Constantius Chlorus defeat Carausius and Allectus in Britannia?
Constantius spent two years neutralizing Frankish allies of Allectus while northern Gaul remained under British control. Julius Asclepiodotus led one fleet from the Seine mouth while Constantius launched another from Bononia to defeat Allectus near the Isle of Wight.
What role did Constantius Chlorus play during the persecution of Christians?
From 303 onward Constantius began enforcing imperial edicts dealing with the persecution of Christians but made the least effort to implement decrees in western provinces. He limited himself to knocking down a handful of churches rather than hunting believers according to Lactantius records.
When and where did Constantius Chlorus die and who succeeded him?
Constantius died suddenly at Eboracum modern-day York on the 25th of July 306. As he lay dying he recommended his son to the army as successor so Constantine was declared emperor by legions stationed at York.
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24 references cited across the entry
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- 4inlineCIL VIII 608
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- 17encyclopediaAllectusLeonhard Schmitz — Little, Brown and Company — 1867
- 20inlineEutropius, Breviarum