Constantine II (emperor)

Constantine II (Flavius Claudius Constantinus), born in Arles in February 316 AD and died in April 340 AD near Aquileia, was Roman emperor from 337 to 340 AD. He was the eldest son of Constantine the Great and Fausta, and thus a member of the Constantinian dynasty.

Upon the death of his father in 337, Constantine II initially co-ruled with his younger brothers Constantius II and Constans. The empire was divided amongst them, with Constantine II receiving Gaul, Britannia, and Hispania. He acted as guardian of his youngest brother, Constans, whose territories included Italy, Africa, and Illyricum.

Tensions quickly arose between Constantine II and Constans. Constantine, feeling that he had been denied the authority appropriate to his seniority, resented Constans' rule over the wealthy and strategically important Italian provinces. In 340, Constantine II launched an invasion of Italy in an attempt to depose his brother. However, he was ambushed and killed near Aquileia. Constans then assumed control of Constantine II's former territories. His reign was short and marked by internal conflict and ultimately ended in his own death three years later.