A Roman Death

Magnentius commanded the Imperial Guard, the Herculians and Jovians under the Emperor Constans. Contstans was the third and youngest son of Constantine the Great and he proved himself a cruel master after being elevated to the Purple with his brothers in 337 and the rules the Empire together. He quarreled with his older brother Constantine the II and in the end outlived him, inheriting his portion of the Empire.

His rule did not last long however, for he was a cruel and petty tyrannical man and ruled as a despot. He flaunted his power and elevated his friends and cronnies to positions of power. In 350 he alienated Magnentius who rallied the legions and drove Constans form the throne. He was later killed, run down like a rabid dog on some forgotten by way in Spain.

Magnentius had little time to savor the Purple for Contans' brother Constantius II marched from Syria and in a series of brutal battles overwhelmed him. Magnentius took his own life, falling upon his sword as a noble Roman, avoiding his predecessors sad demise.