Roman Empire, Constantius Gallus AD 351-354

Obverse: Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Caesar Constantius Gallus facing right. Legend: DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C.

Reverse: Soldier spearing fallen horseman. Legend: (FEL) TEMP REPARATIO.

• Composition: Bronze
• Denomination: Centenionalis
• Date: AD 351-354

When Constantius II marched west in 351 to combat the usurper Magnentius, the need arose to appoint a Caesar to represent the dynasty in the East during his absence. The choice fell on Constantius Gallus, a son of Constantine's half-brother Julius Constantius and thus a cousin of the emperor. Gallus was appointed to Caesar and married off to Constantius' older sister Constantina, before being sent to Antiochia to mark imperial presence in the eastern part of the empire during the absence of the senior Augustus. However, the Caesar and his wife were not willing to accept their subordinate role and acted increasingly independent from Constantius II in the following years, engaging in conflicts both with local magistrates as well as with Thalassius. In 354, Gallus was invited to a meeting with Constantius II in Mediolanum, but he was arrested by command of the emperor and brought to Flamona where he was executed.