Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 42
Choyce Observations OF CONSTANTIUS CHLORUS, And GALERIUS ARMENTARIUS, To whom are joyned SEVERVS MAXIMINVS, MAXENTIVS LICINIVS. Collegues
WHen Diocletian and Maximian laid down the ensignes of command, Constantius Chlorus was chosen Emperour in these Western Provinces of France, Spain, and Britain.
Unto Galerius his government fell, Egypt and the Provinces in Asia: Constantius (who chose rather to govern well than much) gave up Africk and Italy to him, as too remote from the seat of his residence, and eye of his direction.
Constantius was by birth a Roman; his Father was named Eutropius, his Mother Claudia, Neece to the Emperour Claudius Gothicus.
Tristan thinketh that Constantius was not called Chlorus from his Palenes, since Eumenius attributeth to him a very sanguine complexion; but from some green garments which he wore when he was young: and he mentioneth others who had the same surname.
He was very affable, reigned to enrich his subjects, saying; It was fitter that the wealth of the Land should be dispersed into the Commons hands, than locked up in Princes coffers: in which kind he was so averse from all superfluities, that he may rather be adjudged faulty the other way: for he was an enemy to extortions, even to the lessening of the train of his house.
Being but nominated for the Empire,Eusebius de vita Constantini, l. 1. c 10. and reproched for his poverty by Diocletian, who sent to exhort him to heap up treasures; he advertised the people of his want▪ who vehemently contended among themselves to fill his Exchequer, rejoycing greatly, that now they had that long wished for opportunity to witnesse their benevolous minds unto the Emperour: whereupon he truly and excellently said; That the love of the people is the richest and safest Treasury of the Prince. Shewing to Diocletians Embassadors, the great summes which he had ammassed in few houres, they were amazed thereat; after whose departure he returned all the Subsidy that was presented to him:Gonstantius Pa…per. See Suidas in foreign by which custome he rather got the Epithet of poor, than, so indeed being by this voluntary poverty, richer than Diocletian himself, yea than all the other Princes together who were partners with him.
And as this one action shewed his royal magnificence, so this other declareth his piety; in both which he was exemplary. To try the hearts of his Courtiers,Sozomen, l. 1 The like History Theodorus Lector …elteth of Theodorick King of the Gothes an Arrian, in the second book of his Collections. he proclaimed, that all they who would not forsake the worship of the true God, should be banished the Court, and should have heavy penalties and fines laid upon them; presently upon this (saith the Story) all who were base and came to serve him onelyonly for ends, went away, forsook the true God, and worshipped Idols: by which means he found out who were the true servants of God, and whom he intended to make his own; thinking as such as he found faithful to God would prove so to him. What this exploratorie stratagem of Constantius effected in his Court, the same did that which Julian the Apostate set forth in good earnest, against the Christians. He no sooner caused it to be proclaimed, that whosoever would not renounce the Fai…h should be discharged his service, and forfeit both life and estate to his high displeasure; but presently upon the publication of that decree, they who were indeed Christians;Socrates, l. 3. and they that had onelyonly the title, presented themselves as it were on a common stage to the view of all men.
Eusebius saith that Constantius preserved foreign such Christians as were under his command from harm.
Under him the Church in these parts had a breathing-time from persecution. But I am afraid that that learned goes a little to farre,Camden his Brit in description of York. who makes him founder of a Bishoprick at York, and stileth him an Emperour surpassing in all vertue, and Christian piety. Mr. Fuller in his Ecclesiastical History of Britain.
He married Helena (daughter of Coilus, Nullo modo Iacobus Philippus Bergomensis audiendus est, qui Constantium repudiata Theodorâ Helenam, Anglorum regis filiam captivam, uxorem duxisse fabulatur: cùm ex Romannorum annalibus certò constet, Helenam illum coactum repudiasse, ut Theodoram Maximiani Augusti pri…ignam conjugem acciperet. Usserius in Antiquitat. Britann.who entertained him when he was Lieutenant of Britain) but Maximian tyrannising aswell over loves, as men, declareth Constantius Caesar, on condition he would forsake Helen, and marry Theodora his daughter-in-law. He is won by ambition, and easines of his nature (which bowed to those who seemed to wish him well) and by the lustre of the purple presented to him.
He marrieth Theodora; which alteration Helena bore with great constancy, counting it an honour, that to refuse her no other cause was found, but the good fortune of her husband; Constantius lived in body with Theodora, and in heart with Helen: the torrent of ambition and affaires of the world having parted their bodies could not hinder the inclinations of their hearts.For Constantius returning to Britain, dyed in York; and being asked on his death-bed which of his childrē should succeed him, since besides Constantine he had two sons by Theodora viz. Constantius & Annibalinus: he then forgetting his seōnd wife & her off-spring, cryed aloud Constantinū piū, he would have no other successour than the pious Constantine, which was approved by the army: who cast the purple Robe upon Constantine at York, whilest he wept, and put spurs to his horse, that he might avoid the importunity of the souldiers, who attempted and required so instantly to make him Emperour: but the happiness of the state overcame his modesty.
Constantius lived 56 years; was Caesar 16 years, and Emperour 2 saith Eusebius. Cambdē reporteth that at the demolition of Monasteries, there was found in his supposed monument in Yorkshire, a burning lamp, thought to have burnt there ever since his burial, about 300 years after Christ, & he addeth out of Lazius, that the ancient Romans used in that manner to preserve lights in Sepulchers a long time, by the oylines of gold, resolved into a liquid substance.
Galerius born of mean parents (surnamed Armentarius because he kept cattle) bragged that a Serpent begat him, as one did Alexander the Great. Moribus certèodioque in Christianos Draco fuit, nec indignus eo, quo se natum parente fatebatur. Cluverus.
When he rifled the camp of Narseus King of Persia, a common souldier having met with a Parthick satchel, wherein were pearls, through simplicity threw out the gems, and went away contented with the beauty onelyonly on the leather bag. Amm. Marcellinus l. 22. c. 3. Vide Piccarti Observationes Historico-politicas. Dec. 3. c. 3.
He took for ease of his burden Severus and Maximinus surnamed Daza his sisters …, whom he elected Caesars and after Augusti; which honours Severus enjoyed not long, being slain at Rome by treachery of Maxentius whē he had reigned but one year.
Galerius incensed with the outrage of Maxentius intended to fall upon the West; but distrust of the safety of his territories stayed him, and made him create Li…inius Caesar: after whose nomination he survived not long.
He boasted the acutenes of his wit by the invention of new tortures for patient Martyrs; notwithstāding when he felt himself invaded with a verminous Ulcer, or Fistula in his secret parts; which did evaporate so contagious and pestilential a stench, that some of his Physicians, not able to endure that mephitis or steam of intense corruption, fell down dead; he understanding this to be a judgment sent from God to retaliate upon him those tortures, which he had inflicted on many innocents; then his flinty heart melted within him, and at length he began to think of his wicked practises against the holy worshippers of God, gave commandment for cessation of the Christians persecution, confessed the equity of divine retribution, and in the midst of these confessions of his own guilt, and Gods justice, he breathed out his execrable soul from a gangrenous and loathsome body.
He lived not a year after his edict for the persecuting of the Christians. Eusebius, l. 9.
After whose death, Licinius, and Maximinus beheld each other with a jealous eye, and made shew of contest; but Maximine at Tarsus decided the difference by an irrevocable resignation.
Maximinus was much inclined to wine, in the excesse whereof he commanded many things, of which he afterwards repented, giving a charge to his followers, that they should not execute his desires, except he was sober, or gave them a command in the morning Sextus Aurelius Victor.
Maxentius made himself Emperour, by consent of the souldiers, to recompence whom he gave leave to sin cum privilegio; no words being more frequent than these in his speeches to them; Fruimini, dissipat…, prodigite.
He being inamoured on a Woman, sent for her by his servants (her Husband not daring to refuse for his life) of whom she desired time to make her self ready; which having obtained, she goeth into her chamber, and killeth her self: the Officers (when they could stay no longer) broke open the room, and finding her dead, report it to Maxentius, who became more insolent than before. Eusebius l. 8.
By his Necromancy, Adulteries and Murders he grew so intolerable, that the Senate sent to Constantine, craving his aid against him.
Constantine drawing Licinius to his side (by marrying his sister Constantia to him) hasted to Rome with 90000 foot and 8000 horse, levied out of Britain, France, and Germany.
Maxentius framed a deceitful Bridge over Tiber near Pons Milvius, to intrap Constantine: but being overcome in battel, he fled (through forgetfulness or hast) over the same Bridge, which falling under him, he and many more were drowned.
Licinius had nothing good in him, but that he disliked Eunuchs, calling them the Mothes and Rats of the Court.
He was a great enemy to learning, calling it, through his ignorance, a poyson and publick plague.
He thought that none could live chastly, measuring others dispositions by his own vicious inclination.
He maligning Constantines fame, at last, persecuted the Christians in the East, where he reigned with Martinianus, whom he before made Caesar at Byzantium, and his son Licinius at Arles.
He was overthrown by Constantine in several battels, loosing many thousands of men,Heme…arius, p, 1…6. and was himself taken prisoner; yet by meditation of his wife, had his life spared, and was confined within Nicomedia: where for his treasons after, he and his son, who somewhat survived him, were put to death.
He lived 70 years, and reigned 15 Victor. Licinius a Constantino morte mulctatur: vel ut alii tradunt, quum filiam suam Herinam eò quòd Christiana esset, ab equis discerpi mandasset, ipse adstans & inspecturus, equi morsu interfectus est. Elenchus Numismatum in Bibliotheca Bodieeja…a.