Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 44
Constantius Chlorus, and Galerius Armentarius, Collegues. To whom are joined SEVERVS, MAXIMINVS, MAXENTIVS, LICINIVS.Sequentium Imp. usque ad filios Constantini, historia valde perturbata est, ob concursum multorum Caesarum. Helvici Theatrum Historicum, p. 94.Etsi Diocletianus & Maximianus imperium ejurarant, etenim gravissima premebatur persecutione Ecclesia Dei. In Oriente Galerius quoniam mirè superstitiosus erat, in Africa Maximinus, in Occidente & praecipue Romae Maxentius truculenter grassabantur. Jo. Laetus in Compend. Hist. Vniv.
WHen Diocletian and Maximian laid down the Ensigns of command; Constantius Chlorus was chosen Emperor in these Western Provinces of France, Spain, and Britain: unto to Galerius his government fell Egypt and the Provinces in Asia.
Alter natus est, qui acceptam ignominiam Valeriani captivitate deleret: alter qui Gallias Romanis legibus redderet. Vopiscus in Carino, c. 18.
Constantius was not only beloved, but had in great reverence of the French, chiefly because by his accepting of the Empire they escaped the suspected wisdom of Diocletian, and the bloudy rashness of Maximian. Eutropius, l. 10.
Galerius took for ease of his burden Severus, and Maximinus surnamed Daza, his sisters Son, whom he elected Caesars and after Augusti.
Constantius (who chose rather to govern well than much) gave up Africk and Italy to Galerius, as too remote from the seat of his residence, and eie of his direction.
Constantius homo frugi quum esset, ne plus agri possideret, quàm colere posset, Italiam & Africam deposuit. Rivii Historia Navalis Media, l. 2. p. 98.
Constantius & Galerius Imperium, quod commune Diocletianus & Maximianus habuerant, novo, ut Orosius dixit, exemplo inter se diviserunt. Sigonius de Occidentali Imperio, l. 2.
Constantius was by birth a Roman; his Father was named Eutropius, his Mother Claudia, Neece to the Emperor Claudius Gothicus.
Tristan thinketh that Constantius was not called Chlorus from his Paleness, 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.
Carus intending to kill his Son Carinus for his wickedness, determined to substitute in his place Constantius (then President of Dalmatia, but afterwards Emperor) because none seemed more deserving than he. Vopiscus in Carino, c. 17.
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,Eutropius, l. than locked up in Princes Coffers: concurring with *Elizabeth Regina non tantum non … sit subditos … dictionibus, … etiam tribu… quae tertio q… que anno ex… consueveran… sustulit, imo… cum regni o… dines aliqua… do magnam p… cuniae summa pro sumptibu… Reipublicae n…cessariis offerent, illa magnam partem recusavit, ac populo gratias egit; dictita… pecuniam in subditorum arculis esse perinde ac in suis. Lansius … Oratione pro Britannia.Trajan, who compared the Exchecquer to the Spleen, by the growth whereof of the limbs are lessened.
[Howsoever this comparison hath been applauded; (neither do I think it simply to be condemned, specially for some States, and some comings-in) yet I do not think it to be fit generally. In my judgment the Exchecquer may fitly be compared to the stomach; for as if the Ventricle be not plied with necessary meats and drinks, the Mesaraic veins sucking continually from it and the bowels, duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page and the Liver continually sucking from the Mesaraics, and the Capillar or small veins (dispersed over the body) sucking from the Liver; there must needs ensue first a hungriness, secondly, a faintness, thirdly, in time a wast, and lastly, an untimely death: so if the Treasury should not have as great supplies, as it hath evacuations, if it should not have as well Oesophagum to bring in, as Pylorum to send forth, and venam portam, as well as cavam, it cannot be but the whole Estate will be greatly enfeebled, that I do not say endangered. Bishop Smith's Sermons, p. 221, 222.]
Being but nominated for the Empire, and reproached for his poverty by Diocletian, Eusebius de vita Constantini, l. 1. c. 10who sent to exhort him to heap up treasures; he advertised the people of his want, who vehemently contended among themselves to fill his Exchequer, rejoicing greatly, that now they had that long wished for opportunity to witness their benevolous minds unto the Emperor: whereupon he truly and excellently said; That the love of the people is the richest and safest Treasury of the Prince. Shewing to Diocletian's Embassadors the great sums which be had ammassed in few hours, they were amazed thereat; after whose departure he returned all the Subsidy that was presented to him;Constantius Pauper. See Suidas in foreign. by which custome he rather got the Epithet of poor, than was 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 the Courtiers, 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 (said the story) all who were base and came to serve him only for ends, went away, forsook the true God, and worshiped Idols: by which means he found out who were the true servants of God, and whom he intended to make his own; for he considered that they who deserted God for fear, would not stick to betray their Prince for gain, saith Dr. Cheynel in his Epistle Dedicatory, before his Book against Socinianism.
Fighting in France, he had the same day both adverse and prosperous fortune. For being assaulted on the sudden, he was forced to retire to Langres in such hast, that the Gates of the City being shut, he was fain to be drawn up the wall by Ropes. Yet within five hours space, his Army approaching, he slew almost 60000 Almains. Eutropius lib. 9.
Ea victoria maximam ei, si qua alia, in re militari gloriam peperit. Sigonius de Occid. Imp. lib. 1.
Mirum vero Eumenium verba habentem ad Constantium tam insignem Victoriam obiter perstrinxisse, hominem alioqui laudum Constantii prodigum. Quum toties, inquit, pro culcata esset Alemannia. Scaliger in Eusebium p. 244.
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 Pen goes a little too far,Camden his Brit. in description of York. who makes him founder of a Bishoprick at York, and stileth him an Emperor surpassing in all vertue, and Christian piety. Dr. Fuller inhis Ecclesiastical History of Brittain.
Nullo modo Jacobus Philippus Bergomensis audiendus est, qui Constantium repudiata Theodora Helenam, Anglorum regis filiam captivam, uxorem duxisse fabulatur: cum ex Romanorum annalibus certo constat, Helenam illum coactum repudiasse, ut Theodoram Maximiani Augusti privignam conjugem acciperet. Usserius in Antiquitat. Britann.He married Helena (daugther of Coilus, who entertained him when he was Lieutenant of Britan) but Maximian tyrannising aswel over loves, as men, declareth Constantius Cesar, on condition he would forsake Helen, and marry Theodorae his daughter-in-law. He was won by ambition, and easiness of his nature (which bowed to those who seemed to wish him well) and by the lustre of the purple presented to him.
He married 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 affairs 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 children should succeed him, since besides Constantine he had two sons by Theodora viz. Constantius and Annibalinus: he then forgetting his second wife and her offspring, cryed aloud Constantinum pium, Scribit quidan Graecus Constantium ex novacula cum esset moriturus, seque de lecto protenderet, ut ambabus manibus filium Constantinum, qui jam concito gradu advenerat, amplecteretur, dxiisse Mortem esse immortalitate meliorem. Cuspinianus in Caesaribus.he would have no other successor 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 Soldiers, who attempted and required so instantly to make him Emperor: but the happiness of the state overcame his modesty.
Constantius lived 56 years; was Caesar 16 years, and Emperor 2, saith Eusebius.
Cambden reporteth that at the demolition of Monasteries, there was found in his supposed monument in York-shire, a burning lamp, thought to have burnt there ever since his burial, above 300 years after Christ, and he addeth out of Lazi us that the ancient Romans used in that manner to preserve lights in Sepulchers a long time, by the oyliness of Gold, resolved into liquid substance.
Omnibus virtutibus insignem passim depraedicant Scriptores. Rupertus p. 402.
Fictilibus mihi posse uti moderatio suasit;
Pauperies priscos dura coegit avos.
Hoc mea laus major; quod cum mihi cuncta licerent,
Quam minimum volui collubuisse tamen.
Anonymus.
Vere Armentarius, & quasi regeret tauros non homines, stoliditate forti conspicuus. Bussieres in Flosculis Historiarum.Galerius born of mean parents (surnamed Armentarius, because he kept cattle) bragged that a Serpent begat him, as one did Alexander the Great. Moribus certe odioque in Christianos Draco fuit, nec indignus eo, quo se natum parente fatebatur. Jo. Cluverus in Hist. Epit.
Having succesfully fought against the Persians, and being emboldned therewith, he again encountred them between Callinicum and Charrae; a City famous for the slaughter of Crassus the Roman General. Where more resolutely than advisedly engaging a few against multitudes of his Enemies, he was overthrown, and losing most of his Army, escaped by flight. Whereupon he returned to Diocletian for aid, whom he met by chance in the way. Diocletian was so displeased with him for this disaster, that he suffered him to go some miles on foot by his Chariot, though clad in purple; for he was then Cesar. At length he permitted him to depart for the recruiting of his forces, to recover his honour. Galerius levyeth an Army in Sclavonia and Mysia, fought again with Narseus in the greater Armenia, with very good success, and no less circumpection and courage; for trusting no…-Scouts, he went himself with two Horsemen to view the adverse Camp: Which when he had fully observed, he assaulted them unawares in the night with 25000 men, discomfited Narseus, plundred his Tents, took his Wives, Sisters and Children prisoners, with many Nobles of Persia; forcing the King to fly to the uttermost desert places of his Kingdom. Returning to Diocletian, then in Mesopotamia, with so rich spoils of the Persian treasure, he was received very honourably by him.
When he rifled the camp of Narseus King of Persia, Haec prosperè pro republica gesta imperium principum istorum valde commendant; sediidem immani in Christianos saevitia id meruere, ut hodie utriusque nomen, velut detestabile, abominemur; utque nec benefactis quidem gratia sit, si quae in republicam unquam contulerunt, ut Brunnerus lib. Annal. Boic. 6. p. 445. loquitur. C. A. Rupertus in synopsin Besoldi. p. 397.a common Soldier having met with a Parthick satchel, wherein were pearls, through simplicity threw out the gems, and went away contented with the beauty only of the leather bag. Amm. Marcellinus l. 22. c. 3. Vide Piccarti Observationes Historic-politicas, Dec. 3. c. 3.
He made Constantine the Great (who was his hostage) General of an Army which he sent against the Sarmatians, (a very furious people); supposing Constantine should there lose his life. The young Prince (who shut up his eyes to danger, and only opened them to glory) went thither, and returned Victorious, leading the Barbarian King enchained. Galerius excited by a most ardent phrensy, after Constantine's return from this battel, engaged him with a Lion, purposely let loose upon him; which Constantine slew with his own hands, and won the esteem of the Soldiers: getting passage to the Throne by the same degrees, which were prepared for his ruine. Zonaras in Constantio Chloro.
He boasted the acuteness of his wit by the invention of new tortures for patient Martyrs; notwithstanding when he felt himself invaded with a verminous Ulcer, or Fistula in his secret parts, which did evaporate so contagious and pestilential a stench,Redivivum quodammodo per similem morbum habemus nunc Herodem. that some of his Physicians, not able to endure that mephitis or stream of intense corruption, fell down dead; he understanding this to be a judgment sent from God to retaliate upon him those tortures,Ille quia Christum persequitur, pube tenus inflatus scatet vermibus, & iste probroso eodem laborat exitu, quiae persequitur Christianos. Actum siquidem pulchro divinae considerationis intuitu, ut daretur intelligi, quanta sit capitis & membrorum connexio, quanta & quam indivisa sit Christi charitas, zelus ad Ecclesiam, dum eandem infert vindictam persecutoribus suorum, quam sui ipsius persecutori. Haymo Hist. Eccl. lib. 8. c. 3. 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. In supplicium persecutionis iniquissimae ad auctorem scelerati praecepti justissima poena redeunte. Excerpta Sirmondi, p. 472.
Galerius lived not a year after his edict for the persecuting of the Christians. Eusebius, l. 9.
Under him Quirinus Bishop of Siscia having a hand-mil tied about his neck, was thrown headlong from a Bridge into a River, where yet he floted a great while, exhorting the lookers on, not to be dismayd with his punishment, and so with much a do was at last drowned. Prudentius Peristeph. Hymn. 7.
Haec aetas Mrtyres solum, sed & Historicos & philosophos fudit. Nam Aelius Spartianus, Iulius Capitolinus, Aelius Lampridius, Vulcatius Gallicanus, Trebellius Pollio, Flavius Vopiscus, e quibus pleraque Caesarum descripsimus, historias suas Diocletiano & Constantio Augustis inscripsere. Arnobius e Philosophis Christianus, egregiè fidem tutatus, parem discipulum Lactantium tulit. Joh. Cluveri Epitome Hist. totius Mundi, in Constantio & Maxim.
Galerius was endued with very good qualities, and expert in Martial affairs. Eutropius lib. 10.
Homo gloria rei militaris illustris, verum saevitia in Christianos crudelis. Vnde foedum exitium habuisse creditus est. Pomponius Laetus in Rom. Hist. Compendio.