The Greek and Roman history illustrated by coins & medals representing their religions, rites, manners, customs, games, feasts, arts and sciences : together with a succint account of their emperors, consuls, cities, colonies and families, in two parts, necessary for the introduction of youth into all the useful knowledge of antiquity / by O.W.

CHAP. XXV. Of Fl. Valer. Constantinus Magnus, Fl. Jul. Crispus, Fl. Jul. Constantius, Fl. Claud. Constantinus, Fl. Jul. Constans, Flavius Popilius Nepotianus Constan∣tinus, Vetranio, Magnentius, Magnus Decentius, Fl. Jul. Gallus, Silvanus.

1. FL. Valer. Constantinus, the only Son of Constantius and Helena, was born at Naissus in Dardania, as others in Dacia, as others in Thrace, A. D. 272. reigned One and thirty Years ten Months, and died of a natu∣ral death, Anno AEt. 65. and some Months. He was Magnus and Maximus, because of his very great Dignity and Power; nothing laid to his Charge, but that he was too severe, espe∣cially towards those of his own Family, ha∣ving put to death his Son Crispus, (though for a Pretext he served himself of the Accusation of his Wife Maxim. Fausta) probably for fear least he should have proved too Great for him; having obtained many great Victories, and be∣ing much honored by all Men. So that Con∣stantine seems to have been too Ambitious and Covetous of Honor, jealous of his State and Dignity; and Bloody sometimes in his Hu∣mour, especially in his declining Age. He was also too Negligent in his Expences, and

not sufficiently capable to prefer Persons of best Worth to publick Charges; though Cruel to his own Relations and Family, putting Lici∣nius to death, Poysoning Crispus, stifling Fausta his Wife in a Bath; yet was he not at all Cruel in his own Nature; abolishing that cruel man∣ner of death, Crucifying; not taking Re∣venge of the Egyptians for defaceing his Statues.

Herculi Conservatori Caes. Hercules stran∣gling the Lyon. Hercules represented young, intimating Constantine himself, who whilst Hostage in the Court of Galerius, was by him put to Combat a Lyon, which he over∣came and slew.

Jovi Conservatori Augg. He seems to mean Diocletian, and by Augg. Constantine and Lici∣nius.

Marti Conservatori. Mars resembled like Constantine; Mars also being born in Thrace. Constantine also in his Youth was called Thra∣cala (Thracula) praestantissimus; the most ex∣cellent Thracian.

Soli invicto Comiti; the Sun (as Constan∣tine) radious. Constantine being esteemed to have the Genius of the Sun, his Swiftness, Beauty, Vigor, unconquerable Force, Influ∣ence upon his Inferiors.

Fundator Pacis Constantine; as Mars drawing a Captive by the Hair of the Head; probably alluding to what he did in the Wars against the Sarmatae, whither he was sent by Galerius with a few Men, on purpose to have been destroyed; but he overcame, and in Person

drew a fierce young Sarmate by the Hair of the Head before Galerius.

Constantine having on his Head-piece 〈☐〉〈☐〉, which Mark is also found on some ancient Medals even of the Ptolomees, and some Romans also; which whether any of their Hieroglyphicks, or the Letters of the Coiners name, or what else, is uncertain. ℞ Victoriae laetae (over Max∣entius and Licinius represented by two Cap∣tives below) Principis perpetui vota 〈☐〉〈☐〉 upon an Altar; 〈☐〉〈☐〉 denoting Christ as Julian notes, or signifies the Victory in his tenth Year, or vota Decennalia.

DV (Divus) Constantinus PT (Pater) Augg. Constantine veiled. ℞. Constantine drawn in a Chariot with four Horses, holding up his Hand towards another Hand coming out of Heaven. It doth not appear that Constantine was con∣secrated either by Pagans or Christians, till a long time after by the Greeks; yet was generally by both esteemed to be Happy and Blessed (a Man performing such great Actions, being (as they thought) very dear to the Gods,) and though not consecrated, yet taken up by Jupiter, reaching him his Hand to draw him up into Heaven. Drawn in a Chariot, the Soul being called, by the Philosophers, the Charioteer of the Body, and his Head veiled, to intimate his dazling Splendor. So that this Medal represents the common opinion had of him both by Christians and Pagans.

Constantine's first Wife was Minervina, whom he married, being a Young Man, and the Son only of Constantius Caesar; with whom he lived in great Continence; and had by her Crispus.

2. Fl. Jul. Crispus, eldest Son of Constantine by Minervina, born at Arles, was a Beautiful, Valiant, Couragious, Mild, Chaste, Constant, Virtuous young Man; having all the Virtues, without any of the Vices, of his Father; was also a Christian educated by Lactantius; in his Youth he conquered the Franks and Alle∣mans in the depth of Winter; also he van∣quished by Sea the Admiral of Licinius, who escaped with no more than four Vessels: He fought also with great Reputation against the Generals of Licinius, and Licinius himself also. At length being frequently solicited to Wick∣edness by Fausta his Mother-in-law, and he re∣fusing her, she turned her Love into Hatred; she accused him falsly to Constantine, to have endeavored to force her, who either really, or for some other private Consideration, feign∣ing to believe her, condemned him to dye with∣out hearing him speak in his Justification; and accordingly he was put to death by Poyson. But Helena, Grand-mother to Crispus, being exceedingly grieved, and blaming her Son very much for that unjust Action; he enquired secretly concerning the Accusation, and ha∣ving discovered the Truth, he commanded his Wife Fausta to be stifled in a Bath over∣heated.

It should seem he was married to one Helena, and that they had a Child, but nothing men∣tioned in History: 'Tis said by some, that Constantine erected a Statue of Silver with a Head of Gold to Crispus, with this Title 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to his Son unjustly condemned.

Constantine's second Wife was Flavia Aurelia Maximiana Fausta, the Daughter of Maximia∣nus and Eutropia; she had three Sons, Constan∣tinus, Constantius and Constans, and three Daugh∣ters. After she was dead they say, that Con∣stantine would not vouchsafe her Burial, but caused her Carcass to be carried to the top of an high Mountain to be eaten by Fowls and Beasts; and that her Sons afterwards buried her Bones with their Father. She was a Pagan, and had that Reputation with her Husband after his Victory over Maxentius, that she perswaded him again to Idolatry; wherein notwithstanding he staid not long.

3. Fl. Jul. Constantius, the Brother of Con∣stantine, seems to have been second Son of Constantius and Theodora, though Factious, Se∣ditious, and Envious of the Glory of Constan∣tine, (if he had failed, the Empire would have come to his House) yet was many times em∣ployed by him, as in Embassy to Licinius, who had married their eldest Sister Constantia, to perswade him to create Caesar Bassianus, who had married another Sister Anastasia. He was also made Patricius, and Cos. and Praefectus Orientis, though it seems this was after the death of Helena who was no Friend to him.

It is reported by some Authors, that Constan∣tius and his Brother caused Constantine to be poisoned in a Bath; but Constantine coming to the Knowledge of it, writ to his Son Constantius to dispatch him out of the way; which he did shortly after, making him be slain by the Sol∣diers a little while after he had taken Possession of the Empire.

His first Wives name was Galla (Flav. Anicia Galla) by whom he had two Sons, the eldest slain with his Father, the other (Gallus) put to death by Constantius for his evil Govern∣ment.

His second Wives name was (Flav. Anicia) Basilina the Daughter of Anicius Julianus, she was a Pagan, died young, and had no Child but Julianus.

The third Brother of Constantine (1. Delma∣tius, 2. Constantius) was Constantine; probably he helped Constantius in poisoning Constantine, and was put to death also as well as he by Con∣stantius.

4. Fl. Claud. Constantinus, eldest Son of Con∣stantine and Fausta, was born at Arles, A. D. 312. was made Caesar by his Father, who died when he was Twenty two Years old, and was slain at Twenty five Years, reigning only three Years, seems to have been of a peaceable Disposition, very Bold, if not Rash, yet Am∣bitious of Honor, and loving Wine. In the division of the Empire between Constantine's three Sons and two Nephews, Delmatius and Hanniballianus, (of which two the rest quickly

eased themselves) Constantine had for his share Spain, Gallia, Germany and Britain; Constantius Thrace, Asia and the East; Constans Illyricum, Italy and Africk; Delmatius, Macedonia, Achaia and Peloponesus; and Hanniballianus, Armenia, Cappadocia and Pontus. The first Quarrel was, that Constantine pretended to Italy and Africk, and resolved to force them from Constans; and came with an Army into Italy, where he was met with an Army which Constans pre∣tended to send to his Brother against the Per∣sians, was defeated fighting undiscreetly (as having drank too much) and slain; and cast into the River Alsa near Aquileia. In his Fa∣thers time he had conquered the Goths and Alle∣mans, and as soon as he came to be Augustus, he restored Athanasius to the Bisnoprick, who was banished at Triers. Constantius his Brother lamented mightily his death: Nothing menti∣oned of his Marriages.

Victoria Beatissimorum Caes. (Crispi and Con∣stantini) Vot. V. which was always made at their entrance into their Caesarship.

5. Fl. Jul. Constans, youngest Son of Con∣stantine and Fausta, was born A. D. 320 was made Caesar Anno 334. and three Years after came to the Empire, which he governed about thirteen Years, was Assassinated about the Age of thirty Years, by the Complices of the Rebellion of Magnentius. He was Active, Vigilant, Warlike, by the sole Terror of his name keeping the Barbarians, his Neighbors, in Peace all the time of his Reign. Also very

Pious, restoring all the Orthodox Bishops, and adorning the Churches very much; very Bountiful, sending great Alms to the Poor every where; extremely Vigilant, Industrious and Laborious; he overcame the Franks and other Barbarians; he made a Voyage in the midst of Winter into Britain; he marched al∣ways on Foot in the head of his Army; his very great Labors brought him into Gouts and Pains in his Sinews, which much tor∣mented him: He chased away from the Court all Players, Buffoons, &c. [Some Writers give him a contrary Character, but Libanius a Pagan, and all the Christians, speak very much in his Honor.] By his Severity he alienated the Minds of the Soldiers from him; which encouraged Magnentius, a wicked debauch'd Person, but much acquainted with the Barba∣rians, himself being a Gaul, one whom Con∣stans had rescued with his own Robe from the Fury of the Soldiers, to rebel against him, and declare himself Emperor at Authun; whose General Gaiso pursuing Constans, forsaken of most of his Men, overtook him as he was passing the Pyronean Mountains to go into Spain, at a Town called Helene (Helne or Elne) and there slew him. He was afterwards very much lamented, and all his Murtherers and Opposites grievously punished; especially Mar∣cellinus, who cruelly persecuted all Constans's Kindred, slaying Nepotianus, Eutropia, and many others.

Gaudium Pop. Romani; A Crown within Sic V. Sic 〈☐〉〈☐〉. i. e. Sicut quinquennalia sic Decennalia; intimating the Publick Joy expressed in Pastimes, &c. at the beginning of the sixth Year of Constans; and that the People de∣sired to do so much again after the tenth Year. T E S Thessalonicae (coined.)

Felix temporum reparatio; A Phenix burning her self on the top of a Rock; signifying the renewing of the Empire (decayed by rea∣son of the Wickedness of former Emperors) under Constantine and his Sons, as the Phenix renews her self. Some write that there was a Phenix seen at the building of Constantinople by Constantine.

Gloria Reip. Constantius and Constans (being Consuls the tenth Year of their Reign, and it should seem entering their Charge at Siscia, after they had been at Thessalonica celebrating their Decennalia, and now consulting about the War in Britain) with two Women (Con∣stantinople and Rome, the one being Cos. for the East, the other for the West) presenting them Branches of Laurel: Circles as Glories about their Heads, such as the Pagan Gods had about theirs, representing a bright Cloud, which they called Nimbus; such as Virgil describes about Pallas, AEn. 2. and the Moon, AEnei. 3. and in some Medals is seen about Nero.

Felix temp orum Reparatio. Constans draw∣ing after him a Youth (for reforming the Times must begin with Youth, old Men ac∣customed to their old Habits being irreform∣able)

near two Trees, the one withered (re∣presenting the former times of Paganism) the other fresh, (the new ones under Con∣stantius) for we find this called Novum Sae∣culum.

He was espoused (but it appears not that he was married) to Olympias the Daughter of Ablatius Praefect of the Praetorium to Constan∣tine, and put to death by Constantius; after Constans's death, she was married to Arsaces King of Armenia.

6. Flavius Popilius Nepotianus Constantinus, (taking his name probably when he came to be Emperor) was Son of Popilius Nepotianus and Eutropia the Sister of Constantine; seems to have been employed in the Wars, and made a Tribune in his Youth by Constan∣tine; he and his whole Family are commended by Athanasius (entertained by them) for good Christians.

When Constans was slain, and Magnentius prospering, he conceived himself and his whole Family Ruined and Massacred, if that Tyrant prevailed; being therefore of Constantine's Fa∣mily, he gathered together the Gladiators, Slaves, and such Men as he could get, armed them, and calling himself Emperor, vanquish∣ed Probinus Governor of the City for Magnen∣tius. P•…•…t his Men not being disciplined, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great Murthers upon all who were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to favour Magnentius. Magnentius 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, Insurrection, sent Marcellinus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ent, with part of the Army

against Nepotianus, who not having had time to gather Strength, (not having reigned Forty days) was defeated and slain, and all his Family and Friends also; so that Rome was, by reason of the Murthers, almost desolated.

7. Vetranio born in Maesia, Sober and Inno∣cent; of a plain and sweet Conversation; yet an excellent and experienced Soldier, Fortu∣nate and Beloved, a Devout and Charitable Christian also, was declared Emperor against his will by the Legions of Pannonia, in Envy to those of Gaul, &c. which had chosen Mag∣nentius; to whom he would not in any wise (though solicited) joyn himself; but sent to Constantius to assist him against Magnentius. But Constantius being at a great distance, and Magnentius near approaching to him, he was forced to accommodate his business with Mag∣nentius; and so they both sent Messengers to Constantius to make Peace, they continuing in the Government of their Provinces as Em∣perors, yet he as Supreme. But Constantius kept the Messengers in the Court, and hasted with all Diligence and Secrecy, so that he surprised Vetranio, who was forced to joyn his Army with Constantius. Constantius mean while used him with all Magnificence, and they agreed the next day to Harangue both Armies; which Constantius knew so well how to do (having also gained some of his chiefest Officers by Money) that both the Armies de∣clared him sole Emperor, and plucked Vetranio off the Scaffold, pulled off his Purple, and

declared him a private Man. Constantius then sent him to Constantinople, and in Bithynia assigned him a House and sufficient Revenues; where he lived contentedly six Years after∣wards, and very Holily: He reigned about ten Months.

8. Magnentius Son of one Magnus, was of great Strength, Eloquent, Confident in Pro∣sperity, Timorous in Adversity, dissembling his Cruelty, Treachery and Ingratitude. He pretended to be a Christian, yet permitted the Idolaters their Night-Sacrifices; used Magick and Inchantments. He was Colonel of the two principal Legions (Jovian and Herculian) of Constans's Army, and gracious amongst the rest, having been Fortunate against the Bar∣barians in several Rencounters. Constans being Gouty, and unable to endure the Fatigues of War, he resolved to make use of his Reputa∣tion amongst the Soldiers against his Master, (who in a Sedition and Mutiny of the Soldiers, had protected him from their Violence by his own Robes) assisted especially by Marcellinus Captain of Constans's Guard, and Chrestus In∣tendant of the Kitchin. At Autun then Mag∣nentius celebrating the Birth-day of his Son, feasted all the Chief Officers of the Army and City; and when they had well drank till late in the night, Magnentius went forth, and returned clothed with Purple, and his Guards, as Emperor, shewing himself to the Com∣pany, who after a short but efficacious Speech, declared him Emperor, and adored him ac∣cording

to the Custom; so did the Citizens by little and little, and the rest of the Army also corrupted by his Largess: Then keeping the Gates shut, that none could go forth, he chose those of his Men, in whom he most confided, commanded by Gaiso, to surprise Constans who mistrusted nothing; and as he was returned from Hunting, wearied and asleep at Elne in the County of Rousillon, they slew him, awaked with the noise, and endeavoring to save himself in Spain: To the Officers also whom he knew Faithful to Constans, he sent Letters in Constans's name, to come to him with all speed; these he slew, by Ambuscades and other Treacheries, to a very great num∣ber; and so seized upon Gallia and Britain, Spain, Africk, Sicily and Italy; till the Legions of Pannonia chused Vetranio; whom Magnen∣tius endeavored to joyn to himself. But Con∣stantius having joyned to his own the Army of Vetranio, marched to meet the Tyrant, creating Gallus (Son of Constantius his Uncle) Caesar, naming him Constantius, and leaving him to govern the East: To ballance which, Magnentius also made his Brethren, Decentius and Desiderius, Caesars, and sent them to raise Men, &c. The Armies on either side marched to fight, and Constantius's Vantguard was ill handled by an Ambuscade of Magnentius's; which encouraged the Tyrant so, that laying a Bridge over the Savus (heightned also by the Revolt of Silvanus from Constantius, and by Constantius's sending Philippus to Magnentius to treat of Peace) he marched his Army, which

was there encountred by Constantius's Soldiers, and almost ruined: So that he was forced to pretend that he came to make Peace, and take Conditions of Constantius; which Philippus there proposing, he assented unto; where∣upon Constantius gave him leave to march his Army into Pannonia, where he ruined Siscia and many other Cities; and grew so proud, that he sent to Constantius to surrender the Empire and beg his Life. Constantius answered, God would Revenge his Treason. Mean while the Tyrant besieged and assaulted Syr∣mium, where he was beaten off with great loss; thence he went to Mursia, where Con∣stancius having defeated an Ambuscade, at Cibalis fought a very sore Battle with him, getting a great Victory, loosing Thirty thou∣sand, and killing Thirty six thousand and eighty. This being in Autumn, and Constantius's Army being much weakened, he sent part of his Horse to pursue them. The Tyrant rendez∣vouzed at Pavia, which he fortified, and quar∣tered his Men so Advantagiously, that he feared little of Constantius, and so gave himself to all Voluptuousness; but in the end of Winter, Constantius sending part of his Army to com∣pass them about, he came with the rest, and forced him to fly into Gallia; where using all sorts of Cruelty, he retired to a Castle, and sent to Constantius to beg Pardon, who denied it. Mean while the People seeing him in this condition, refused to send him Succor; yea, his own Army, to beg their Peace, beset him at Lyons, intending to deliver him up

alive to Constantius: For which cause, entering into a Rage, he slew all his Kindred and Friends that were present; and last of all himself also, Forty two Months after his Ele∣ction.

Victoria Aug. (over Nepotianus) Libertas Roma∣norum (to worship Idols.)

9. Magnus Decentius, Brother to Magnentius, was a warlike Man, and left by his Brother in Gaul, to govern and assure it to their Party; where he was defeated by Chnodomarius set on by Constantius; but as he was leading an Army to his Brothers Assistance, having heard that he had slain himself, he also strangled himself at Sens.

Desiderius his other Brother, some say, Mag∣nentius slew, with his Mother and Kindred, when he killed himself also; others say he was only wounded, and that his Wounds being healed, he presented himself to Constantius, who pardoned him.

10. Fl. Jul. Gallus (called Constantius when created Caesar by Constantius) was born at Massa in Tuscany, A. D. 325. he was made Caesar and sent to govern the East, where he reigned betwixt three and four Years; was put to death by the Command of Constantius, about the Twenty ninth Year of his Age; he was Rude, Simple, Light-headed and Bloody; though this not so much of his own Inclina∣tion, as through the Suggestions of the Fury his Wife: He was brought up in Cappadocia,

and escaped when his Father, Brother, Uncle and Cousins were murthered, by reason of Sickness, as Julian did because of his Infancy; they were both intended by Constantius for Church-men, and were brought up accor∣dingly. He carried himself very valiantly against the Persians and Jews; and was always an Orthodox Christian. Constantius married his Sister Constantina to him, and made him Caesar, being Twenty five Years old: After a while he began to practice against the Em∣peror, and put to death his best Friends and Officers; of which, and other his Violences and Tyrannies, Constantius being informed, drew him to him with fair words and shews, though he doubted a long time, and if he could have found his Men Faithful, he would have declared himself Augustus; but by his Cruelty, Insolence and Inconstancy, he had got the Hatred of all Men. So sending before his Wife to make his Peace, as well as she could, (who died of a Feaver contracted by Indignation to see her self in that condition) he departed from Antioch towards Constanti∣nople; by the way Constantius discharged him of part of his Train, and afterwards set a Guard upon him; who took away his Robes, put him into a Hackney-Coach, and carried him to Pola, where being examined he was put to death, having been a long time tor∣mented with the Apparitions of those he had murthered.

11. Silvianus the Son of Bonitus a Tribune, was a valiant and prudent Man, who was Faithful to Constans, but was forced to follow in the Army of Magnentius, till he found an Opportunity to go over to Constantius; which he did with all his Men, who made him General of the Infantry. He was a Man of great Capa∣city, a Christian, Generous, &c. But Con∣stantius grew Jealous of him, which made him, for the Safety of his Life, to declare himself Emperor at Colen, whither Constantius had sent him to fight against the Germans, who had done much hurt in Gaul; for the Flatterers and Syco∣phants of Constantius's Court (which were many, the Prince hearkening to them) perswaded him that Silvanus intended to Rebel, and counter∣feited Letters, as sent from Silvanus, to some Friends, for that purpose. So that, to preserve his Life, he was forced to make himself Em∣peror: Whereupon Constantius, then at Milan, sent Ursicinus, an Ancient Soldier, (but laid by by the Flatterers means) with some other va∣liant Men, with Letters to him from the Em∣peror, who dissembled that he knew any thing of his Rebellion; but with Instructions to kill him; which they did, having insinuated them∣selves into his Favor, by pretending Discon∣tents; by which Suggestion Ursicinus got so much into Favor with him, as none so much.