The Nicene Age · AD 313–400 · External witness
Emperor Constans
AD 323 – 350 (killed in Magnentius's coup) · Emperor of the West · Nicene patron · Italy and Illyricum
External witness
Who Emperor Constans was
Constantine's youngest son and the Nicene party's imperial shield: it was Constans who forced the Council of Serdica, threatened his brother Constantius with war unless Athanasius was restored, and — with his brothers — wrote to the hermit Antony 'as to a father.' Killed in Magnentius's coup of 350, and mourned by the exiles he had protected; the assassination handed the whole empire, and the church, to Constantius II.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses and roman emperors.
Common questions
When did Emperor Constans live?
Emperor Constans is dated AD 323 – 350 (killed in Magnentius's coup) in the archive, which places Emperor Constans in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Emperor Constans?
Emperor Constans is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Athanasius of Alexandria and Socrates Scholasticus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Emperor Constans from?
The archive associates Emperor Constans with Italy and Illyricum.
Who were Emperor Constans’ contemporaries?
The archive links Emperor Constans to 4 other figures, including Constantine II, Athanasius of Alexandria, Maximin of Trier and Magnentius. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Life of Antony 81
c. AD 350The emperors Constantine Augustus and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him as to a father, and begged an answer from him.Athanasius of Alexandria · 81 · source text
Socrates, Ecclesiastical History II.22
c. AD 439Constans threatened war against his brother unless he should receive Paul and Athanasius and restore them to their sees.Socrates Scholasticus · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343