Constantius Chlorus
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Gaius Flavius Valerius Constantius (March 31, c. 250–July 25, 306) was an emperor of the Western Roman Empire (305–306). He was commonly called Chlorus (the Pale)From the Greek pale/yellow-greenish, an epithet given to him by Byzantine historians. He was the father of Constantine I.
History
He was born ca. 250. The Historia Augusta says he was the son of Eutropius, a noble from Dardania, and Claudia, a niece of the emperors Claudius II and Quintillus.Historia Augusta, Claudius [13] However, historians suspect this connection to be a genealogical fabrication created by his grandson Constantine II, thus connecting his family to two rather highly regarded predecessors. Under the emperor Carus he was governor of Dalmatia, and Carus is said to have considered adopting him as his heir in place of his dissolute son Carinus.Historia Augusta, Carus [17]In 293 he was appointed Caesar (junior emperor in the Tetrarchy) by the emperor Diocletian, and married Theodora, step-daughter of Diocletian's co-emperor Maximian. They had six children. Constantius already had a son, Constantine, by his first wife (or concubine) Helena, who was probably from Nicomedia in Asia Minor.Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History [9.22]; Zosimus, Historia Nova [2]; He was given command of Gaul, Britain and possibly Spain. In 293, Constantius defeated the forces of Carausius, who had declared himself emperor in Britain and northern Gaul in 286, near Bononia. Carausius was killed by his rationalis Allectus, who took command of Britain until 296, when Constantius sent Asclepiodotus, a prefect of the Praetorian Guard, to invade the island. Allectus was defeated and killed, and Roman rule in Britain restored. Aurelius Victor, Liber de Caesaribus [39] Also in 296, Constantius fought a battle against the Alamanni at the city of Lingonae (Langes) in Gaul. He was shut up in the city, but was relieved by his army after six hours, and defeated the enemy.Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History [9.23] He defeated them again at Vindonissa (Windisch, Switzerland).#redirect [[Template:Fact]] Thiese victories strengthened the defenses of the Rhine frontier.
Diocletian and Maximian stepped down as co-emperors in 305 due to Diocletian's poor health, and the Caesars, Contantius and Galerius, became co-emperors. Constantius ruled the western empire, Galerius the eastern. Severus and Maximinus were appointed Caesars. Constantine, who had hoped to be a Caesar, joined his father's campaigns in Gaul and Britain.Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History [10.1], Aurelius Victor, Epitome de Caesaribus 39; Zosimus, Historia Nova [2] Constantius died in Britain, at York, in 306, and Constantine was declared emperor by the army.Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History [10.1-2]