Constantius III
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Costantius on a solidus. The reverse shows Constantius as a general, holding Victory in one hand and a captive enemy in the other. |
Flavius Constantius (d.
2 September 421), whose name is traditionally
anglicized as
Constantius III, was a late Roman general, politician, and
emperor. He was the
power behind the throne for much of the 410s, and in
421 briefly became co-emperor of the
Western Empire with
Honorius.
Constantius was born in Naissus (modern-day ) and was probably a career soldier. As a
magister militum under Honorius, he gained note by his successful campaigns in defense of the
Western Roman Empire, in which he pushed back barbarian invasions and ended the revolt of the usurper
Constantine III. As a result, he was given the title of
Patrician, and began to exert more and more influence over the weak Honorius. In
417 he married Honorius' sister,
Galla Placidia, and on
February 8,
421, was elevated to co-Emperor. At this point, he effectively ruled the West. Notably, Constantius reportedly complained about the loss of personal freedom and privacy that came with the imperial office.
Honorius' nephew, the
Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius II refused to recognize Constantius' imperial status. Constantius reportedly intended to launch a campaign against the Eastern Empire to force recognition of his rights, but before anything could come of these plans, he died suddenly on
September 2 after less than seven months as emperor.
Constantius and Galla Placida had two children, the future emperor
Valentinian III and
Justa Grata Honoria.
Constantius' success in rising from head of the dwindling Roman army to Imperial rank obviously influenced the actions of later holders of the patrician office, a list that includes
Aëtius and
Ricimer; however, only
Petronius Maximus would ultimately make the same leap, and his reign would prove to be even shorter than Constantius'.
