|
Gallus, having accomplished these things, was unable to bear his
success with moderation; but forthwith attempted innovations against
the authority of him who had constituted him Caesar, himself aspiring
to the sovereign power. His purpose was, however, soon detected by
Constantius: for he had dared to put to death, on his own
responsibility, Domitian, at that time Praetorian prefect of the
East, and Magnus the quaestor, not having disclosed his designs to
the emperor. Constantius, extremely incensed at this conduct,
summoned Gallus to his presence, who being in great terror went very
reluctantly; and when he arrived in the western parts, and had reached
the island of Flanona, Constantius ordered him to be slain. But not
long after he created Julian, the brother of Gallus, Caesar, and
sent him against the barbarians in Gaul. It was in the seventh
consulate of the emperor Constantius that Gallus, who was surnamed
Constantius, was slain, when he himself was a third time consul: and
Julian was created Caesar on the 6th of November in the following
year, when Arbetion and Lollian were consuls; of him we shall make
farther mention in the next book? When Constantius was thus relieved
from the disquietudes which had occupied him, his attention was again
directed to ecclesiastical contentions. Going therefore from Sirmium
to the imperial city Rome, he again appointed a synod of bishops,
summoning some of the eastern prelates to hasten into Italy, and
arranging for those of the west to meet them there. While preparations
were making in the east for this purpose, Julius bishop of Rome
died, after having presided over the church in that place fifteen
years, and was succeeded in the episcopal dignity by Liberius.
|
|