Late Roman Empire, Constantinian Dynasty (305-364): 62*Constantine II, 63*Constans, 64*Constantius II; Introduction, Christianity [3/3]

62 *CONSTANTINE II (24; r.337-340) (Gaul)

63 *CONSTANS (c.27; r.337-350) (Italy→W)

64 *CONSTANTIUS II (44; r.337-361) (E→all)

After Constantine’s death in 337, his three sons divided the Empire between them. As each augustus had his own praetorian prefect, this division gradually became permanent praetorian prefectures. 

Constantine’s eldest son Flavius (20) Claudius Constantinus (=Constantine II) took charge of Galliae (the dioceses of Gaul, Britannia, Vienne, Hispania); his third son Flavius (23) Julius Constans (fl.333-350) took Italiae (the dioceses of Italy, Africa, Pannonia, Dacia and Macedonia); and his second son Flavius (24) Julius Constantius (44; fl.324-361) took Orientis (the dioceses of Thrace, Asia, Pontus, Oriens, Egypt).

In 343 or 347 the dioceses Pannonia, Dacia and Macedonia were grouped together to form a new prefecture of Illyricum, which remained in existence until 361. It reappeared several times but without Pannonia (which was added to the Italy prefecture) until finally in 395 it became permanent.

Christianity [3/3]

A number of bishops present at the Council of Nicaea felt that they had been rushed into affirming the Nicene Creed. In 335 Eusebius of Nicomedia and other supporters of Arius met the emperor in Constantinople. At that meeting, the Arians claimed that Athanasius (75-79; fl.325-373), the Bishop of Alexandria, would cut off the Egyptian grain supplies to Constantinople. Constantine found Athanasius guilty and sent him into exile to Augusta Treverorum (=Trier, Germany). 

  In 337 Constantine II, who was relatively tolerant of all religions, allowed Athanasius to return to his See of Alexandria. The following year Constantius II, a supporter of Arianism, renewed the order banishing Athanasius who now fled to Rome where he came under the protection of Constans, an ardent Nicaean, and was replaced in Alexandria by the Arian Gregory of Cappadocia (r.339-345). In 339 the Bishop of Constantinople was replaced by the Arian, Eusebius.

In 341 a council at Antioch attended by Eusebius and Constantius produced a creed that avoided endorsing Arianism and was compatible with the doctrine of Nicaea. When Eusebius died (341), Constantius allowed an opponent of Arianism, Macedonius (r.342-346), to become the bishop of Constantinople. Thus the theological position of the Eastern Church remained as confused as ever.