Constans II
Who was Constans II?
Western Roman Emperor from 409 to 411
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Constans II (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Constans II was the Western Roman Emperor who ruled as co-emperor from 409 to 411 CE, alongside his father Constantine III, during a time of significant political upheaval in the declining Western Roman Empire. Born around 400 CE, Constans lived in a period when the Roman Empire was struggling with barbarian invasions, internal rebellions, and challenges to imperial authority. His short reign involved military campaigns in Hispania and constant battles against rebels and usurpers who opposed his father's rule.
Constans entered imperial politics under unusual circumstances. When his father Constantine III was declared emperor by the army in Britain in early 407 CE, Constans was living as a monk, having devoted himself to religious life. However, the need to establish a new dynasty led him to leave his monastic life. He was called from his monastery to Gaul, where his father appointed him as caesar, or heir apparent. To ensure the family's succession, Constans was quickly arranged in marriage, despite his previous religious commitments.
Constans' early political career was marked by military challenges in Hispania. In 408 CE, allies of the legitimate emperor Honorius organized resistance in the Iberian Peninsula and successfully drove out Constantine III's administrative officials. Constans was sent with an army under General Gerontius to restore his father's control over the region. This campaign was successful, and Constantine's authority was reestablished in Hispania.
Constans became augustus, or full emperor, in early 409 CE when his father was recognized as co-emperor by Honorius. This promotion made him theoretically equal in rank to both his father and the legitimate emperor Honorius, though in practice, he remained under Constantine III. However, this period of relative calm was short-lived. Later in 409 CE, Gerontius, the same general who had previously served under Constans in Hispania, rebelled against Constantine III. Gerontius declared his own candidate, Maximus, as emperor and began encouraging newly arrived barbarian groups in Gaul to rise against Constantine's rule.
The final phase of Constans' reign involved desperate attempts to suppress Gerontius' rebellion. He was first sent to Hispania to tackle the revolt but faced a major military defeat and had to retreat to Arelate, modern-day Arles. In 410 CE, Constans launched a second campaign against Gerontius with a new army. However, Gerontius had fortified his position by recruiting barbarian allies, and his forces were superior in battle. Constans experienced consecutive defeats, first in Hispania and then as he retreated northward. Early in 411 CE, he was killed at Vienne during his final defeat. After Constans' death, Gerontius besieged his father Constantine III in Arelate and executed him, ending their brief imperial dynasty.
Before Fame
Before rising unexpectedly to imperial power, Constans II had chosen a religious life as a monk, which was quite different from the typical military and political paths of Roman imperial heirs. His monastic choice showed the growing role of Christianity in the late Roman Empire, where religious life was an option besides secular careers. The monastery where Constans served isn't known, but he was dedicated enough that his father needed to call him away for political reasons.
Constans' switch from monk to caesar happened during a very chaotic time in Western Roman history. In 407 CE, his father, Constantine III, rebelled in Britain, creating a need for dynastic legitimacy and planning for succession. Bringing Constans back from monastic life and quickly arranging his marriage showed the practical demands of taking power, where building a strong imperial dynasty was crucial for keeping political and military support.
Key Achievements
- Successfully restored his father's authority in Hispania in 408 CE alongside general Gerontius
- Rose from caesar to augustus rank in 409 CE, achieving theoretical equality with emperors Honorius and Constantine III
- Served as co-emperor during a critical period of barbarian invasions and internal rebellions
- Led multiple military campaigns in Hispania attempting to suppress the Gerontius rebellion
- Helped establish Constantine III's short-lived imperial dynasty through strategic marriage alliance
Did You Know?
- 01.Constans was forced to abandon his monastic vows and marry quickly to establish a dynasty when his father became emperor
- 02.He was promoted from caesar to augustus immediately after his father was recognized as co-emperor by Honorius in 409 CE
- 03.The general Gerontius, who later rebelled against Constans' family, had previously served successfully under Constans in the Hispanian campaign of 408 CE
- 04.Constans ruled for only about two years, from 409 to 411 CE, making him one of the shortest-reigning Western Roman emperors
- 05.He was killed at Vienne in 411 CE during his second failed attempt to suppress Gerontius' rebellion