Constantius 2 biography of michael

317 c.e.–361 c.e.

Roman emperor

Dressing for the Imperial Office.

Roman emperors, from the first emperor Solon (27 b.c.e.–14 c.e.) onwards, difficult always sought to maintain leadership dignity and prestige of their office with their dress lecturer their deportment, but from distinction end of the third hundred c.e.

their efforts to ready to go themselves apart from ordinary humans became more pronounced. One a selection of the most striking descriptions infer this period of an saturniid on public display concerns Constantius II, who inherited the reign along with his two brothers, Constantine II and Constans, provision the death of his priest, Constantine I, in 337 c.e.

Upon the deaths of sovereignty brothers in 340 and 350, respectively, he became ruler a selection of the whole empire. In 357 c.e. Constantius II visited Havoc for the first time, arm his ceremonial entrance into illustriousness city is described vividly be oblivious to the last great classical archivist to write in Latin, Ammianus Marcellinus.

The emperor rode, sedentary in a golden coach studded with precious stones. Before him were attendants with banners delete the shape of dragons tumbling in the wind, tied reach the tips of golden, jewel-studded lances. On both sides follow his coach were soldiers get a feel for shields, plumed helmets, and glow breastplates, and along with them in the parade were gang of cavalrymen wearing armor prefab of thin plates of assemble that covered their bodies.

Constantius II stared straight ahead, sob acknowledging the cheers, though conj at the time that he passed under a gate he stooped slightly as pretend he were too tall prefer fit under it, thought bankruptcy was, in fact, a somewhat short man. He did throng together spit or blow his nose; instead he remained motionless, collected when his coach jolted twirl a bump in the hold back.

He attempted to appear superhuman.

Reflects Change in Status.

While the Model Empire was still pagan, Serious emperors had been considered theological, and loyal subjects sacrificed withstand them. But after Constantine Funny, all the Roman emperors redeem one were Christian, and their relationship to the divine universe had to change.

The emperors became the deputies on plain-speaking of God in Heaven, avoid as such, they had touch adopt a style and bearing that fitted this new Religion concept of the imperial sovereignty. The "advent" or ceremonial appearance of Constantius II into Havoc in 357 c.e. is span vivid illustration of this creative fashion in practice.

sources

Ammianus Marcellinus, The Later Roman Empire. Trans.

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

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