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In 350 AD, Constantius II prepared to redeploy his troops from the Persian campaign to move against the usurper Magnentius. The now lone Augustus required help managing eastern affairs in his absence, and subsequently turned to his half cousin Flavius Claudius Gallus (ca. 325/6 – 354 AD), grandson of Constantius I and Theodora. In 351 AD, Constantius II bestowed Gallus the family appellation as a new agnomen, and presented the Empire its new Caesar: Constantius Gallus.
As part of the deal, Gallus married the Augustus’ sister, Constantina. The newlyweds resided in Antioch to rule the east while Constantius II battled Magentius in the west. To advertise the new imperial arrangement, the Empire produced coins, such as this mint state centenionalis struck in the Pannonian mint of Siscia between 351-354 AD. The obverse depicts the bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust of the new Caesar. The epithet, DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C, denotes our lord, the invincible and noble Constantinian Caesar. Nowhere does the cognomen Gallus appears (the same appears to hold for all his imperial coinage). It is interesting to speculate that perhaps the omission was intentional, to avoid confusing Roman citizens, and/or reinforcing Constantius II’s supreme rule.
The coin’s reverse employs a popular, contemporary numismatic motif, embodied by its inscription FEL TEMP REPARATIO (return to happy days): an imperial figure standing on a galley, holding a labarum (a military standard) and a globe on which perches Victory. Victory also serves double duty as she sits astern, guiding the ship on its course for prosperity. The design was a favorite of Constantius II’s brother, the deceased Emperor Constans. Constantius II also struck FEL TEMP REPARATIO coins in large quantities, and his favorite design was that of a falling horseman (multiple examples are included within this NGC Ancients Custom Set).
Good times were not in store for Magnentius, who fell not off his horse but on his own sword in 353 AD, acknowledging defeat at the Augustus’ troops. Constantius II did not have the opportunity to savor victory: the Empire faced the additional threat of various barbarian tribes (notably the Alemanni). Additionally, the Augustus grew vexed by status reports coming from the east. Increasingly, Gallus exhibited cruelty, and for the notoriously ruthless Constantius II to take notice, that is saying something. For instance, Gallus sent in his general Ursicinus to crush a Judaean uprising, resulting in thousands killed. In another (particularly bizarre) development, Gallus charged various nobles with magic use, leading to executions and confiscation of wealth towards increasing imperial coffers. Presumably, Gallus, obsessed with his popularity, desired to eliminate potential enemies. More troubling than Gallus’ reported cruelty was the fact that his methods were not achieving positive outcomes for the Empire. For example, Antioch’s grain supply was down, and Gallus’ failed attempts at remedying the situation managed to alienate the Senate.
Gallus’ performance as new Caesar should be taken in the context of the circumstances of his elevation. During the bloody family feuding that erupted after Constantine I’s death in 337 AD, Gallus was spared owing his youth, allowed to study under close observation, if not house arrest. After his surprise elevation, Gallus suddenly experienced great freedom and power, and likely succumbed to the temptation to abuse his new station. Constantina may also have encouraged his choleric behavior.
In any case, Constantius II grew concerned such that he reduced Gallus’ troops and sent the Praetorian Prefect Domitianus to fetch Caesar for questioning. Histories differ regarding the details, but not the end result that Domitianus was killed in the attempt. Constantina headed west ahead of Gallus: evidently, she planned to preempt her brother’s ire and protect her husband against retribution. Unfortunately, she died during the journey. Gallus, perhaps lured by false promises of elevation to co-Augustus, was finally captured and brought in for questioning. The Caesar apparently tried pinning some blame for his actions on the deceased Constantina, which - not surprisingly - further fueled his boss’ ire. Constantius II subsequently ordered Gallus’ beheading, adding to a macabre record of familicide.
Roman soldier-turned-historian Ammianus Marcellinus, who personally observed and recorded these events, summed up Gallus’ life thusly:
After he had been taken by the emperor as his colleague, and raised to the highest eminence of power, he experienced the fickle changeableness of fortune which mocks mortality, sometimes raising individuals to the stars, at others sinking them to the lowest depths of hell.
Addition Reading: “Roman History,” (various translations) by A. Marcellinus, Book 14, 353 AD.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Constantius Gallus, Caesar, AD 351-354, Æ Centenionalis (23mm, 5.31 g, 6h), Siscia mint, 1st officina, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right, A to left, Reverse: Constans, holding Victory-on-globe and labarum, standing left on galley left, on which Victory sits left at stern, III-*//ASIS, References: RIC VIII 329; LRBC 1199.