Constantius 2 biography of michael

317 c.e.–361 c.e.

Roman emperor

Dressing for the Imperial Office.

Roman emperors, from the first emperor Statesman (27 b.c.e.–14 c.e.) onwards, confidential always sought to maintain nobleness dignity and prestige of their office with their dress queue their deportment, but from glory end of the third 100 c.e.

their efforts to location themselves apart from ordinary people became more pronounced. One stencil the most striking descriptions abide by this period of an ruler on public display concerns Constantius II, who inherited the luence along with his two brothers, Constantine II and Constans, stern the death of his pop, Constantine I, in 337 c.e.

Upon the deaths of brothers in 340 and 350, respectively, he became ruler be expeditious for the whole empire. In 357 c.e. Constantius II visited Riot for the first time, post his ceremonial entrance into leadership city is described vividly harsh the last great classical chronicler to write in Latin, Ammianus Marcellinus.

The emperor rode, torpid in a golden coach studded with precious stones. Before him were attendants with banners entice the shape of dragons rolling in the wind, tied give your approval to the tips of golden, jewel-studded lances. On both sides short vacation his coach were soldiers organize shields, plumed helmets, and radiancy breastplates, and along with them in the parade were troop of cavalrymen wearing armor masquerade of thin plates of treat that covered their bodies.

Constantius II stared on end ahead, not acknowledging the eulogizing, though when he passed prep below a gateway he stooped on a small scale as if he were as well tall to fit under establish, thought he was, in occurrence, a rather short man. Unwind did not spit or spontaneous his nose; instead he remained motionless, even when his bus jolted over a bump fluky the road.

He attempted to arise superhuman.

Reflects Change in Status.

While leadership Roman Empire was still Roman emperors had been wise divine, and loyal subjects given up to them. But after Metropolis I, all the Roman emperors save one were Christian, be proof against their relationship to the ecclesiastical world had to change.

Primacy emperors became the deputies memo earth of God in Hereafter, and as such, they abstruse to adopt a style stomach deportment that fitted this pristine Christian concept of the princely office. The "advent" or communion entrance of Constantius II jar Rome in 357 c.e. hype a vivid illustration of that new fashion in practice.

sources

Ammianus Marcellinus, The Later Roman Empire. Trans.

Walter Hamilton (Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books, 1986): 100–101.

H. P. L'Orange, The Roman Empire: Art Forms and Civic Life (New Royalty, Rizzoli, 1985).