Constantius II Chart
The tables below are reproductions and syntheses of the charts found in chapter V of The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1982) and appendix 9 of Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1993) both by T.D. Barnes. Preference was given to Athanasius and Constantius where differences exist. Minor stylistic changes have been made to improve consistency.
The tables below are adapted and reproduced with permission from T.D. Barnes, The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1982) and T.D. Barnes, Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1993).
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Principal Residences
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 324–c. 330 | With Constantine |
| c. 330–335 | With Constantine? |
| 335–350 | Antioch for the winter, with summers on campaign in Mesopotamia (Libanius, Orat. 18.206/7) |
Attested Movements
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 324, Nov. 8 | Proclaimed Caesar at Byzantium | Themistius, Orat. 4, p. 63a Dindorf; CIL 1, p. 276; Chr. Min. 1.232 |
| 326 | Accompanies Constantine to Rome | RIC 7.207, Trier 467–468, cf. 328, Rome 279 |
| 336, July 25 | In Constantinople | Eusebius, VC 4.49, cf. Triac. 3.4 |
| 337, spring | In Antioch when he learns of Constantine’s last illness | Zonaras 13.4 |
| 337, May | Travels to Nicomedia, but finds that Constantine is already dead | Julian, Orat. 1, 16d; Zonaras 13.4 |
| 337, shortly after May 22 | Escorts Constantine’s body to Constantinople and supervises the funeral | Eusebius, VC 4.70; Libanius, Orat. 59.74; Chr. Min. 1.236 |
| 337, July? | At Viminacium | Athanasius, Apol. ad Const. 5.2 |
| 337, Aug.?/Sept.? | Campaign against the Sarmatae | CIL 3.12483 |
| 337, c. Sept. | Confers with Constantinus and Constans in Pannonia | Julian, Orat. 1.19a, cf. Libanius, Orat. 59.75 |
| 337, Sept.? | Returns to Constantinople | Socrates, HE 2.7 |
| 337, Nov.? | Returns to Antioch for the winter | Socrates, HE 2.7, cf. Libanius, Orat. 59.75, 77 |
| 338, spring | At Caesaarea in Cappadocia | Athanasius, Apol. ad Const. 5.2 |
| 338 | Restores Arsaces to the throne of Armenia | Julian, Orat. 1, 20d–21a, cf. Libanius, Orat. 59.76–80 |
| 338, Oct. 11 | At Antioch | CTh 12.1.23 |
| 338, Oct. 28 | At Emesa | CTh 12.1.25 |
| 338, Dec. 27 | At Antioch | CTh 2.6.4 |
| 339, c. Jan. | At Antioch | Athanasius, Ep. enc. 2.1; Hist. Ar. 10.1 |
| 339 or 340 | At Hierapolis | P. Abinn. 1.8–10 |
| 340, summer | Invades Persian territory | Itinerarium Alexandri, pr. 1, cf. 4 |
| 340, Aug. 12 | At Edessa | CTh 12.1.30 (the place of issue is transmitted as Bessae) |
| 340, Sept. 9 | At Antioch | CTh 6.4.5/6 |
| 341, Jan. 6 | Attends the ‘Dedication Council’ at Antioch | Athanasius, Syn. 25.1; Philostorgius p.212.19–22 Bidez |
| 341, Feb. 12 | At Antioch | CTh 5.13.1/2 |
| 341/2 | Winters in Antioch | Socrates, HE 2.13.5, cf. Jerome, Chronicle 235; Chr. min. 1.236 |
| 342, early | Visits Constantinople to expel the bishop Paul and returns at once to Antioch | Libanius, Orat. 59.94–97; Socrates, HE 2.13.7, cf. Jerome, Chronicle 235; Chr. min. 1.236 |
| 342, Mar. 31–May 11 | In Antioch | CTh 3.12.1; 12.1.33/4 (Apr. 5, 8); 11.36.6 |
| 343, Feb. 18 | At Antioch | CTh 9.21.5 |
| 343, June 9–July 4 | In Hierapolis | CTh 8.1.1 (319 mss.); 12.1.35 (June 27); 15.8.1 |
| 343, summer/autumn | Wins a victory over the Persians | Athanasius, Hist. Ar. 16.2, cf. Festus, Brev. 27 |
| 343, Oct./Nov. | Visits Constantinople? | |
| 344, c. Apr. | At Antioch | Theodoretus, HE 2.8.56, 9.9–10, cf. Athanasius, Hist. Ar. 20.5 |
| 344?, summer | Defeats the Persians near Singara | Julian, Orat. 1, 26a; Libanius, Orat. 59.88, 99–120; Jerome, Chronicle 236; Chr. min. 1.236 (both giving the date as 348), cf. Festus, Brev. 27 |
| 345 | At Nisibis | CTh 11.7.5, cf. Ephraem, Carmina Nisibena 13.4–6, 14/5 |
| 345, summer | At Edessa | Athanasius, Apol. c. Ar. 51.6 |
| 346, Mar. 21 | At Antioch | CTh 10.14.1 (315 mss.) |
| 346, c. Sept. | At Antioch | Athanasius, Apol. ad Const. 5.2; Hist. Ar. 44.5, Hist. ac. 1.2; Index 17; Jerome, Chronicle 236 |
| 347, Mar. 8 | At Ancyra | CTh 11.36.8 |
| 347?, spring | Themistius delivers his first imperial panegyric before Constantius at Ancyra | Themistius, Orat. 1 |
| 347, May 11 | At Hierapolis? | CTh 5.6.1 |
| 348?, summer | Engages the Persians in battle near Singara | Festus, Brev. 27 |
| 349, Apr. 1 | At Antioch | CTh 12.1.39 |
| 349, summer | At Singara, then Emesa | Athanasius, Hists. ar. 7.3 |
| 349, Oct. 3 | At Constantinople? | CTh 12.2.1 + 15.1.6 |
| 350, spring | At Edessa | Philostorgius, HE 3.22 |
| 350, summer | In Antioch while Shapur besieges Nisibis? | Theodoretus, HE 2.30.1, 9/10, 31.1 |
| 350 | Visits Nisibis after the siege? | Zonaras 13.7 (p. 195.4–7 Dindorf) |
| 350, autumn | Sets out westward from Antioch | Philostorgius, p. 215.22–24 Bidez |
| 350 | Travels via Heraclea to Serdica | Zonaras 13.7 (pp. 195.19–196.2 Dindorf) |
| 350, Dec. 25 | Engineers the abdication of Vetranio at Naissus | Jerome, Chronicle 238 (place and year); Chr. min. 1.238 (day: year wrongly given as 351); Zosimus 2.44.3/4 |
| 351, Mar. 15 | Proclaims Gallus Caesar at Sirmium | Chr. min. 1.238 |
| 351, summer and autumn | In Sirmium before and during the campaign against Magnentius | Sulpicius Severus, Chron. 2.38.5–7; Socrates, HE 2.28.23; Zosimus 2.45.3, 48.3 |
| 351, Oct.? | Present at the Council of Sirmium which deposed Photinus | Socrates, HE 2.28.23, 29.1 |
| 352, Feb. 26 | At Sirmium | CJ 6.22.5 |
| 352, May 12 | At Sirmium | CTh 3.5.1 (319 mss.) |
| 352, summer | Campaign against the Sarmatae? | |
| 352, Sept.? | Enters Italy | Chr. min. 1.67 (Naeratius Cerealis becomes praefectus urbi on Sept. 27) |
| 352, Nov. 3 | At Milan | CTh 15.14.5 |
| 353, spring–summer | In Milan | Hist. ac. 1.7, cf. Index 25; CTh 11.1.6 + 12.1.42 (May 22: year emended from 354) 16.8.7 (July 3: 357 mss.) |
| 353, Sept. 6 | At Lugdunum | CTh 9.38.2 (354 mss.) |
| 353, c. Oct.–354, spring | Winters in Arles | Ammianus 14.5.1; CTh 8.7.25 (Nov. 3: 326 mss.); Ammianus 14.10.1 |
| 354, spring | At Valentia | Ammianus 14.10.1/2 |
| 354 | Crosses the Rhine at Rauracum | Ammianus 14.10.6 |
| 354, autumn–355, spring | Winters in Milan | Ammianus 14.10.16; CTh 11.34.2 (Jan. 1); CJ 6.22.6 (Feb. 18) |
| 355, c. June | Conducts expedition into Raetia | Ammianus 15.4.1 |
| 355 | Goes to winter quarters in Milan | Ammianus 15.4.13, cf. Sulpicius Severus, Chron. 2.39.3, 8 (Council of Milan) |
| 355, July 6–356, July 5 | In Milan | CTh 14.3.2; CTh 12.1.43 (July 17); 1.5.5 (July 18); 6.29.1 (July 22); 2.1.2 (July 25); 12.12.1 (Aug. 1); 9.34.6 (Oct. 31); 16.10.6 (356, Feb. 19); 9.42.2 (Mar. 8); 11.16.8 (Apr. 1: 357 mss.); 11.16.7 (Apr. 2); 6.4.8–10 (Apr. 11); 6.29.2 (Apr. 17: 357 mss.); 13.10.3 (Apr. 29: 357 mss.); 9.17.4 = CJ 9.19.4 (June 13: 357 mss.); CTh 8.5.8 (June 24: 357 mss.); 1.2.7 (July 5) |
| 355, Nov. 6 | Proclaims Julian Caesar at Milan | Ammianus 15.8.17; Chr. min. 1.238; CIL 1, p. 277; Socrates, HE 2.34.5 |
| 355, Dec. 1 | Escorts Julian out of the city, then returns to Milan | Ammianus 15.8.18 |
| 356, summer/autumn | Campaign against the Alamanni on the Upper Rhine | Ammianus 16.12.15/6 |
| 356, July 25 | At Messadensis | CTh 11.30.25 (355 mss.) |
| 356, Sept. 2 | At Dinumma | CTh 11.7.8 (355 mss.) |
| 356, Nov. 10–357, Mar. 19 | In Milan | CTh 16.2.13 (357 mss.); 9.16.4 (Dec. 27: year implied to be 357); 12.12.2 (Jan. 15); 9.17.4 (Jan. 15: ‘id.Iun.’ mss.); 9.16.4 (Jan. 25); 15.1.1 (Feb. 2: 320 mss.); 10.20.2 (358 mss.) |
| 357, Apr. 28 | Enters Rome | Chr. min. 1.239 |
| 357, Apr. 28–May 29 | In Rome | Ammianus 16.10.20 (length of stay); CTh 8.1.5 (May 6); 10.1.2 (May 17: 319 mss.) |
| 357, June 7 or 10 | At Helvillum | CTh 1.5.6 + 7 |
| 357, July 5 | At Ariminum | CTh 9.16.6 (358 mss.) |
| 357, July 21 | At Ravenna | CTh 12.1.40 |
| 357 | Passes through Tridentum on his way to the Danube | Ammianus 16.10.20 |
| 357 | Visits Pannonia and Moesia | Zosimus 3.2.2; Julian, Ep. ad Ath. 279 |
| 357, Oct.–358, Mar. 3 | Winters in Sirmium | Ammianus 16.10.21; 17.12.1; CTh 8.5.10 (Oct. 27: trasmitted year either 357 or 358); 1.15.3 (Dec. 3: 353 mss.); 7.4.3, 11.30.27 (Dec. 18); 2.21.2 (Dec. 18: 360 mss.); 9.42.4 (357, Jan. 4); CJ 3.26.8 |
| 358, Apr. | Invades the territory of the Sarmatae Limigantes | Ammianus 17.12.4–6 |
| 358 | Returns in triumph to Sirmium | Ammianus 17.13.33 |
| 358, June 21–23 | In Sirmium | CTh 12.1.44 + 45 (June 21); 8.13.4, 11.36.13 (June 23) |
| 358, June 27 | At Mursa | CTh 12.1.46 |
| 358, c. Oct.–359, c. Mar. | Winters in Sirmium | Ammianus 18.4.1; 19.11.1; CTh 2.21.1 (Dec. 19) |
| 359, spring | Begins a campaign against the Sarmatae | Ammianus 19.11.2 |
| 359 | In the province of Valeria | Ammianus 19.11.4 |
| 359 | Defeats the Limigantes near Acimincum | Ammianus 19.11.5–16 |
| 359 | Returns to Sirmium | Ammianus 19.11.17 |
| 359, May 22 | At Sirmium | CTh 6.4.14 + 15; Athanasius, Syn. 8.3; Socrates, HE 2.37.18 |
| 359, May 28 | At Sirmium | CTh 1.7.1 |
| 359, June 18 | At Singidunum | CTh 11.30.28 |
| 359, ? | At Adrianople? | Athanasius, Syn. 55.2/3 (implying intent to visit) |
| 359, autumn | Goes to Constantinople and winters there | Ammianus 19.11.17; 20.8.1; Socrates, HE 2.41.1; Sozomenus, HE 4.23.3, cf. Chr. min. 1.239 (implying Constantius’ presence in the city before Dec. 11) |
| 359, Dec.–360, Mar. | In Constantinople | Sozomenus, HE 4.23.4–7 (late Dec.–Jan. 1); Hilary, Ad Const. 2.2 (CSEL 65.198.9/10, cf. Jerome, De vir. ill. 100; CTh 4.13.4; 11.36.10 (Jan. 18: 356 and 354 mss.); 11.24.1 (Feb. 4); 14.1.1 (Feb. 24: 357 mss.); 7.4.5 (Mar. 14: 359 mss.) |
| 360, March? | At Caesaraea in Cappadocia when he receives news that Julian has been proclaimed Augustus | Ammianus 20.9.1 |
| 360 | Travels via Melitene, Lcotena, and Samosata to Edessa | Ammianus 20.11.4 |
| 360, after Sept. 21 | Leaves Edessa | Ammianus 20.11.4 |
| 360 | Visits Amida | Ammianus 20.11.4/5 |
| 360 | Besieges Bezabde | Ammianus 20.11.6–31 |
| 360, Dec. 17 | At Hierapolis | CTh 7.4.6 (May 17 mss.) |
| 360, late Dec.–361, c. Mar. | Winters in Antioch | Ammianus 20.11.32; CTh 16.2.16 (Feb. 14); Socrates, HE 2.45.10 |
| 361, May 3 | At Gephyra | CTh 1.6.1, 28.1; 6.4.12, 13; 7.8.1; 11.1.7, 15.1, 23.1; 12.1.48; 13.1.3; 15.1.7 (all extracts from the same law) |
| 361, May 29 | At Doliche | CTh 7.4.4 (358 mss.: place of issue trassmitted as Doridae) |
| 361 | Crosses the Euphrates at Capersana, goes to Edessa, and later returns to Hierapolis (or possibly Nicopolis) | Ammianus 21.7.8, 13.8 |
| 361, autumn | Returns briefly to Antioch | Ammianus 21.15.1/2 |
| 361, Oct. | At Hippocephalus | Ammianus 21.15.2 |
| 361 | Falls ill at Tarsus | Ammianus 21.15.2 |
| 361, Nov. 3 | Dies at Mopsucrenae in Cilicia | Jerome, Chronicle 242; Ammianus 21.15.3 (date emended from Oct. 5); Chr. min. 1.240; Socrates, HE 2.47.4; 3.1.1 |
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