Constantius III: Difference between revisions
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'''Constantius III''' (died 2 September 421) was briefly [[Western Roman Empire|Western Roman emperor]] in 421, having earned the throne through his capability as a general under [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]]. By 411 he had achieved the rank of ''[[magister militum]]'', and in the same year he suppressed the revolt of the usurper [[Constantine III (Western Roman emperor)|Constantine III]]. Constantius went on to lead campaigns against various barbarian groups in Hispania and Gaul, recovering much of both for the Western Roman Empire. He married Honorius' | '''Constantius III''' (died 2 September 421) was briefly [[Western Roman Empire|Western Roman emperor]] in 421, having earned the throne through his capability as a general under [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]]. By 411 he had achieved the rank of ''[[magister militum]]'', and in the same year he suppressed the revolt of the usurper [[Constantine III (Western Roman emperor)|Constantine III]]. Constantius went on to lead campaigns against various barbarian groups in Hispania and Gaul, recovering much of both for the Western Roman Empire. He married Honorius' sister [[Galla Placidia]] in 417, a sign of his ascendant status, and was proclaimed co-emperor by Honorius on 8 February 421. Constantius reigned for seven months before dying on 2 September 421. | ||
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
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===Early life=== | ===Early life=== | ||
[[File:Solidus of Constantius III.png|left|thumb|175x175px|[[Solidus (coin)|Solidus]] of Constantius III]] | [[File:Solidus of Constantius III.png|left|thumb|175x175px|[[Solidus (coin)|Solidus]] of Constantius III]] | ||
Constantius was born in [[Naissus]], [[Moesia]], (present-day [[Niš]], [[Serbia]]) of [[ | Constantius was born in [[Naissus]], [[Moesia]], (present-day [[Niš]], [[Serbia]]) of [[Illyro-Roman|Illyrian]] origin.{{sfn|Wijnendaele|Hanaghan|2021|p=272}}{{sfn|Croke|Marcellin|2001|p=75}}{{Sfn|Grant|2015|p=60}} The contemporary historian [[Olympiodorus of Thebes]] describes him as "a man with large eyes, long neck, and broad head", sullen and aloof in public but capable of "pleasant and witty" conduct at parties.<ref>Grant 1976, pg. 40.</ref> Constantius served as a general under [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]], rising to the rank of ''[[Magister militum]]'' (Master of the Soldiers) by 411.{{sfn|Wickham|2009|p=80-81}} | ||
===Revolt of Constantine III=== | ===Revolt of Constantine III=== | ||
In 411 Constantius was sent by Honorius to put down the revolt of [[Constantine III (Western Roman Emperor)|Constantine III]], who had declared himself emperor in [[Roman Britain|Britain]] in 407.{{sfn|Jones|1992|p=316}} Constantius thereafter led his soldiers to [[Arles]], the capital and residence of Constantine. Upon arriving, he defeated the army of [[Gerontius (magister militum)|Gerontius]], a general who was rebelling against Constantine, before besieging the city.{{sfn|Jones|1992|p=316}} | In 411 Constantius was sent by Honorius to put down the revolt of [[Constantine III (Western Roman Emperor)|Constantine III]], who had declared himself emperor in [[Roman Britain|Britain]] in 407.{{sfn|Jones|1992|p=316}} Constantius thereafter led his soldiers to [[Arles]], the capital and residence of Constantine. Upon arriving, he defeated the army of [[Gerontius (magister militum)|Gerontius]], a general who was rebelling against Constantine, before besieging the city.{{sfn|Jones|1992|p=316}} | ||
Constantine refused to surrender, hoping to last until the return of his general [[Edobichus]], who was raising troops in northern [[Gaul]].{{sfn|Bury|1889|p=143}} When Edobichus did return to Arles, he was swiftly defeated by Constantius.{{sfn|Bury|1889|p=144}} Constantine soon after lost much of the remainder of his forces, as his army which had been guarding the [[Rhine]] chose to support the usurper [[Jovinus]] instead, forcing Constantine to surrender. Despite Constantius' | Constantine refused to surrender, hoping to last until the return of his general [[Edobichus]], who was raising troops in northern [[Gaul]].{{sfn|Bury|1889|p=143}} When Edobichus did return to Arles, he was swiftly defeated by Constantius.{{sfn|Bury|1889|p=144}} Constantine soon after lost much of the remainder of his forces, as his army which had been guarding the [[Rhine]] chose to support the usurper [[Jovinus]] instead, forcing Constantine to surrender. Despite Constantius' assurances that Constantine would be able to safely retire to a [[Monastery|clerical office]], Constantius had him imprisoned, and further had him beheaded during his return to [[Ravenna]], in either August or September 411.{{sfn|Jones|1992|p=316}} Honorius' remaining rivals were soon defeated, with Gerontius committing suicide in Hispania,{{sfn|Jones|1992|p=508}} and Jovinus being defeated by [[Athaulf]], king of the [[Visigoth]]s.{{sfn|Bury|1889|p=144}} Despite this, Honorius was unable to regain control of Britain, nor was any Roman after him.{{sfn|Birley|1980|p=160}} | ||
===The war against Heraclianus=== | ===The war against Heraclianus=== | ||
{{Main|War of Heraclianus}} | {{Main|War of Heraclianus}} | ||
The appointment of Constantius as commander-in-chief led to a war in 412 with the rival general [[Heraclianus]], who, like Constantius, had done good services for Emperor Honorius. Heraclianus revolted | The appointment of Constantius as commander-in-chief led to a war in 412 with the rival general [[Heraclianus]], governor of [[Africa (Roman province)|Africa]] who, like Constantius, had done good services for Emperor Honorius. Heraclianus revolted and stopped grain supplies to Italy.{{sfn|Wijnendaele|2017|p=146}} At the beginning of March 413, Heraclianus landed in Italy near Rome with an army.{{sfn|Wijnendaele|2017|p=146}} He engaged in a battle with Constantius' Roman army at Utriculum, but was defeated.{{sfn|Wijnendaele|2017|p=148}} After his defeat, Heraclianus fled.{{sfn|Wijnendaele|2017|p=148}} He was later captured and murdered.{{sfn|Wijnendaele|2017|p=138}} | ||
===Campaigns=== | ===Campaigns=== | ||
{{Main|Gothic War in Spain (416-418)}} | {{Main|Gothic War in Spain (416-418)}} | ||
Constantius initiated a campaign against the Visigoths in northern Hispania in 416, blockading them in order to starve them and force their submission. Soon after, the Visigoth king, [[Wallia]], surrendered to Rome, agreeing to return [[Galla Placidia]] (the sister of Honorius, who had been captured by [[Alaric I|Alaric]] {{circa}} | Constantius initiated a campaign against the Visigoths in northern Hispania in 416, blockading them in order to starve them and force their submission. Soon after, the Visigoth king, [[Wallia]], surrendered to Rome, agreeing to return [[Galla Placidia]] (the half sister of Honorius, who had been captured by [[Alaric I|Alaric]] {{circa}} 410, and been forced into marriage with Athaulf, who was by this time dead), and to wage war against the [[Vandals]] and other barbarians who the Romans were still in conflict with, in exchange for food supplies.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=115}} | ||
This development enabled Constantius to put an end to the [[Bagaudae Revolt|Bagaudae revolt]] in northwestern Gaul in 417.{{sfn|Thompson|1982|pp=23–37}} He then continued his campaign against various tribal groups and regained control of much of Hispania and Gaul by 420.{{sfn|Sivan|2011|p=171}} | This development enabled Constantius to put an end to the [[Bagaudae Revolt|Bagaudae revolt]] in northwestern Gaul in 417.{{sfn|Thompson|1982|pp=23–37}} He then continued his campaign against various tribal groups and regained control of much of Hispania and Gaul by 420.{{sfn|Sivan|2011|p=171}} | ||
===Reign=== | ===Reign=== | ||
During this time period, generals played a critical role in ensuring the continued reign of Roman Emperors, especially Western Roman Emperors.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=82}} Constantius' | During this time period, generals played a critical role in ensuring the continued reign of Roman Emperors, especially Western Roman Emperors.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=82}} Constantius' position of ''magister militum'' and his skill as a commander allowed him to gain huge influence over the Western Roman Empire, comparable to the earlier [[Stilicho]].{{sfn|Adkins|Adkins|2014|p=36}} For this reason, Honorius bestowed many honors upon Constantius,{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=82}} such as appointing him consul three times: in 414, alongside [[Constans (consul 414)|Constans]]; in 417, alongside Honorius;{{Sfn|Grant|2015|p=60}}{{sfn|Cooley|2012|p=482}} and in 420, alongside [[Theodosius II]].{{Sfn|Grant|2015|p=60}}{{sfn|Cooley|2012|p=483}} In order to further ensure Constantius' loyalty, Honorius arranged the betrothal of his half sister, [[Galla Placidia]], to Constantius in 417.{{Sfn|Grant|2015|p=60}} Later, on 8 February 421, Honorius made Constantius co-Western Emperor under himself. Theodosius II refused to recognize the appointment, angering Constantius and making him contemplate an attack on the Eastern empire.<ref>Grant 1976, pgs. 198-9.</ref> | ||
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
Constantius' health deteriorated rapidly and he died, after less than 7 months as emperor, on 2 September 421.{{Sfn|Grant|2015|p=60}}{{Sfn|Cooley|2012|p=506}} Referencing the proposed punitive attack, [[Michael Grant (classicist)|Michael Grant]] says that "[had Constantius] lived, he might have postponed the downfall of the West— but only at the cost of damaging his Eastern partners".<ref>Grant 1976, pg. 46.</ref> His widow Galla Placidia fled with her children to Constantinople. Honorius died in 423 and was succeeded by [[Valentinian III]], the minor son of Constantius, with Placidia as [[regent]].{{Sfn|Ring|Watson|Schellinger|2013|p=554}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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*{{cite book|last1=Bury|first1=J. B.|title=A History of the Later Roman Empire, from Arcadius to Irene (395 A.D. to 800 A.D.).|date=1889|publisher=Macmillan and co.|oclc= 933179049}} | *{{cite book|last1=Bury|first1=J. B.|title=A History of the Later Roman Empire, from Arcadius to Irene (395 A.D. to 800 A.D.).|date=1889|publisher=Macmillan and co.|oclc= 933179049}} | ||
*{{cite book|last1=Cooley|first1=Alison E.|author-link=Alison E. Cooley |title=The Cambridge Manual of Latin Epigraphy|date=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781139576604}} | *{{cite book|last1=Cooley|first1=Alison E.|author-link=Alison E. Cooley |title=The Cambridge Manual of Latin Epigraphy|date=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781139576604}} | ||
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ep6U-meRt00C&pg=PA75 |title=Count Marcellinus and His Chronicle |first1=Brian |last1=Croke |first2=Ammien |last2=Marcellin |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-19-815001-5 }} | |||
*{{Cite book |title=The Fall of the Roman Empire: A Reappraisal |last=Grant |first=Michael |publisher=The Annenberg School Press |year=1976 |isbn=0-517-524481}} | |||
*{{cite book|last1=Grant|first1=Michael|title=From Rome to Byzantium: The Fifth Century AD|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135166724}} | *{{cite book|last1=Grant|first1=Michael|title=From Rome to Byzantium: The Fifth Century AD|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135166724}} | ||
*{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=A. H. M.|title=The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 2, AD 395–527|date=1992|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521201599}} | *{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=A. H. M.|title=The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 2, AD 395–527|date=1992|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521201599}} | ||
| Line 68: | Line 70: | ||
*{{cite book|last1=Ring|first1=Trudy|last2=Watson|first2=Noelle|last3=Schellinger|first3=Paul|title=Southern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places|date=2013|publisher=Taylor and Francis|isbn=9781134259656}} | *{{cite book|last1=Ring|first1=Trudy|last2=Watson|first2=Noelle|last3=Schellinger|first3=Paul|title=Southern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places|date=2013|publisher=Taylor and Francis|isbn=9781134259656}} | ||
*{{cite book|last1=Sivan|first1=Hagith|title=Galla Placidia: The Last Roman Empress|date=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195379129}} | *{{cite book|last1=Sivan|first1=Hagith|title=Galla Placidia: The Last Roman Empress|date=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195379129}} | ||
* {{cite book|last= | *{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=E. A.|author-link=E. A. Thompson|title=Romans and Barbarians|year=1982|publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|location=Madison |isbn=0-299-08700-X }} | ||
* {{cite book | | *{{cite book |title=The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000 |first=Chris |last=Wickham |publisher=Viking |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-670-02098-0 }} | ||
*{{cite | *{{cite journal |title=The Manufacture of Heraclianus' Usurpation (413 C.E.) |first=Jeroen W. P. |last=Wijnendaele |journal=Phoenix |volume=71 |number=1/2 (Spring-Summer/printemps-été) |year=2017 |pages=138-156 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7834/phoenix.71.1-2.0138 }} | ||
*{{cite journal |title=Constantius heros (ILCV 66) - An elegiac testimony on the decline of the Late Roman West |first1=Jeroen W.P. |last1=Wijnendaele |first2=Michael P. |last2=Hanaghan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XIhnEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA272|journal=Chiron |editor-first1=Christof |editor-last1=Schuler|editor-first2=Rudolf |editor-last2=Haensch|editor-first3=Simone |editor-last3=Killen |volume=51 |language=de |pages=257-276 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG |year=2021 |isbn=9783110742770 }} | |||
{{s-start}} | {{s-start}} | ||
Latest revision as of 02:30, 19 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Use dmy dates Template:Good article Template:Infobox royalty
Constantius III (died 2 September 421) was briefly Western Roman emperor in 421, having earned the throne through his capability as a general under Honorius. By 411 he had achieved the rank of magister militum, and in the same year he suppressed the revolt of the usurper Constantine III. Constantius went on to lead campaigns against various barbarian groups in Hispania and Gaul, recovering much of both for the Western Roman Empire. He married Honorius' sister Galla Placidia in 417, a sign of his ascendant status, and was proclaimed co-emperor by Honorius on 8 February 421. Constantius reigned for seven months before dying on 2 September 421.
Life
Early life
Constantius was born in Naissus, Moesia, (present-day Niš, Serbia) of Illyrian origin.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn The contemporary historian Olympiodorus of Thebes describes him as "a man with large eyes, long neck, and broad head", sullen and aloof in public but capable of "pleasant and witty" conduct at parties.[1] Constantius served as a general under Honorius, rising to the rank of Magister militum (Master of the Soldiers) by 411.Template:Sfn
Revolt of Constantine III
In 411 Constantius was sent by Honorius to put down the revolt of Constantine III, who had declared himself emperor in Britain in 407.Template:Sfn Constantius thereafter led his soldiers to Arles, the capital and residence of Constantine. Upon arriving, he defeated the army of Gerontius, a general who was rebelling against Constantine, before besieging the city.Template:Sfn
Constantine refused to surrender, hoping to last until the return of his general Edobichus, who was raising troops in northern Gaul.Template:Sfn When Edobichus did return to Arles, he was swiftly defeated by Constantius.Template:Sfn Constantine soon after lost much of the remainder of his forces, as his army which had been guarding the Rhine chose to support the usurper Jovinus instead, forcing Constantine to surrender. Despite Constantius' assurances that Constantine would be able to safely retire to a clerical office, Constantius had him imprisoned, and further had him beheaded during his return to Ravenna, in either August or September 411.Template:Sfn Honorius' remaining rivals were soon defeated, with Gerontius committing suicide in Hispania,Template:Sfn and Jovinus being defeated by Athaulf, king of the Visigoths.Template:Sfn Despite this, Honorius was unable to regain control of Britain, nor was any Roman after him.Template:Sfn
The war against Heraclianus
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".
The appointment of Constantius as commander-in-chief led to a war in 412 with the rival general Heraclianus, governor of Africa who, like Constantius, had done good services for Emperor Honorius. Heraclianus revolted and stopped grain supplies to Italy.Template:Sfn At the beginning of March 413, Heraclianus landed in Italy near Rome with an army.Template:Sfn He engaged in a battle with Constantius' Roman army at Utriculum, but was defeated.Template:Sfn After his defeat, Heraclianus fled.Template:Sfn He was later captured and murdered.Template:Sfn
Campaigns
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Constantius initiated a campaign against the Visigoths in northern Hispania in 416, blockading them in order to starve them and force their submission. Soon after, the Visigoth king, Wallia, surrendered to Rome, agreeing to return Galla Placidia (the half sister of Honorius, who had been captured by Alaric Template:Circa 410, and been forced into marriage with Athaulf, who was by this time dead), and to wage war against the Vandals and other barbarians who the Romans were still in conflict with, in exchange for food supplies.Template:Sfn This development enabled Constantius to put an end to the Bagaudae revolt in northwestern Gaul in 417.Template:Sfn He then continued his campaign against various tribal groups and regained control of much of Hispania and Gaul by 420.Template:Sfn
Reign
During this time period, generals played a critical role in ensuring the continued reign of Roman Emperors, especially Western Roman Emperors.Template:Sfn Constantius' position of magister militum and his skill as a commander allowed him to gain huge influence over the Western Roman Empire, comparable to the earlier Stilicho.Template:Sfn For this reason, Honorius bestowed many honors upon Constantius,Template:Sfn such as appointing him consul three times: in 414, alongside Constans; in 417, alongside Honorius;Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn and in 420, alongside Theodosius II.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn In order to further ensure Constantius' loyalty, Honorius arranged the betrothal of his half sister, Galla Placidia, to Constantius in 417.Template:Sfn Later, on 8 February 421, Honorius made Constantius co-Western Emperor under himself. Theodosius II refused to recognize the appointment, angering Constantius and making him contemplate an attack on the Eastern empire.[2]
Death
Constantius' health deteriorated rapidly and he died, after less than 7 months as emperor, on 2 September 421.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Referencing the proposed punitive attack, Michael Grant says that "[had Constantius] lived, he might have postponed the downfall of the West— but only at the cost of damaging his Eastern partners".[3] His widow Galla Placidia fled with her children to Constantinople. Honorius died in 423 and was succeeded by Valentinian III, the minor son of Constantius, with Placidia as regent.Template:Sfn
References
Bibliography
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