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Four years after the council of Sardica, Constans was killed in
Western Gaul. Magnentius, who had plotted his murder, reduced the
entire government of Constans under his own sway. In the meantime
Vetranio was proclaimed emperor at Sirmium, by the Illyrian troops.
Nepotian, the son of the late emperor's sister, gathered about him a
body of gladiators, and wrangled for the imperial power, and ancient
Rome had the greatest share of these evils. Nepotian, however, was
put to death by the soldiers of Magnentius. Constantius, finding
himself the sole master of the empire, was proclaimed sole ruler, and
hastened to depose the tyrants. In the meantime, Athanasius, having
arrived in Alexandria, prepared to convene a Synod of the Egyptian
bishops, and had the enactments confirmed which had been passed at
Sardica, and in Palestine, in his favor.
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