CHAPTER I

DEATH OF CONSTANS CÆSAR. OCCURRENCES WHICH TOOK PLACE IN ROME

FOUR years after the Council of Sardica, Constans was killed in Gaul. Magnentius, who had plotted his death, took possession of his dominions. In the meantime, Vetranio was proclaimed emperor at Sirmio, by the Illyrian troops. Nepotian, the son of the late emperor’s sister, aided by a body of gladiators, likewise claimed the imperial power, and ancient Rome suffered severely from these usurpations. Nepotian, however, was put to death by the soldiers of Magnentius. Constantius finding himself the sole master of the empire, and invested with the title of emperor, prepared to depose the tyrants. In the meantime, Athanasius, having arrived in Alexandria, called together the Egyptian bishops, and had the enactments confirmed which had been passed at Sardica, and in Palestine, in his favour.