r fifteen centuries still perpetuates the
name of its imperial founder, had outrivalled Rome. The heirs of
Constantine, the sons of Fausta, had all been called Caesar, and
were appointed to succeed to imperial power. Constantine,
Constantius, and Constans they were named. They held court in
different parts of the realm during their father's life, although
he reserved for himself the title of Augustus.

The last years of his reign of thirty years had been peaceful,
disturbed only by the insurrection in Cyprus and the wars of the
Goths and Sarmatians. And so he died, and the purple and diadem
were but empty symbols, as he lay in state upon his golden bed.

The great Emperor was no sooner dead than the sons made haste to
rid themselves of all possible rivals in a family that seemed too
numerous for peace. Two uncles and seven cousins were quickly put
out of the way under one pretence and another.

The provinces were divided between the three brothers, and they
reigned peacefully for three years, until Constantine demanded the
surrender to him of a part of the dominions of Constans. In the war
which ensued Constantine was killed, and Constans took possession
of his brother's provinces, refusing any share of them to
Constantius.

He reigned ten years longer, when he was destroyed, A.D. 350, by a
conspiracy in Gaul headed by one Magnentius. This soldier, of
barbarian extraction, was soon defeated by Constantius, who now
became sole Emperor.

He soon found his burden of power too great, and decided to share
it with the two young nephews who had been permitted to live when
the massacre of the house of Constantine occurred.

To Gallus, the elder, he gave the title of caesar, and invested him
with the government of the East. Gallus conducted himself like a
Nero and was disgraced and executed about three years later.

The younger nephew, Julian, had been brought up in the Christian
faith, and received an excellent education, which was finished in
the philosophical schools of Athens. He was created caesar by
Constantius, whose sister Helena he married, and was invested with
the government of Gaul, Spain, and Britain.

Julian's wise civil administration was very acceptable to the
people, and his brilliant military exploits established his fame