Constantius II

Constantius II, who lived from 7 August 317 to 3 November 361, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 337 to 361, the third son of Constantine the Great and his wife Fausta. He received the rank of Caesar in 324 at age seven and became Augustus alongside his brothers Constantine II and Constans on 9 September 337 after their father's death, initially controlling Greece, Thrace, the Asian provinces and Egypt in the east; his early years saw him overseeing the massacre of his father-in-law, an uncle and several cousins to consolidate power. The following decade brought costly wars with Persia while his brothers fought over the western provinces, and after Constantine II died in 340 only Constans remained as co-ruler until the usurper Magnentius had him assassinated in 350. Constantius defeated Magnentius at the battles of Mursa Major in 351 and Mons Seleucus in 353 to become sole emperor, promoted Semi-Arianism, banned pagan sacrifices and restricted Jewish activities. He died of fever on 3 November 361 while marching to confront the rebellion of his cousin Julian, allegedly naming Julian his successor as he died.