22.  Before the emperor returned to the east, he determined to revisit the ancient capital; and Rome, after an interval of more than thirty years, became for a brief space the residence the sovereign.  He signalized his visit by presenting to the city an obelisk, which at a vast expense he procured to be transported from Egypt. 23.  The renewed efforts of the Persians and other enemies of the empire in the East, recalled Constan’tius to Constantinople, while Julian was employed in driving from Gaul the barbarous tribes by which it had been invaded.  The conduct of the young Caesar, both as a soldier and a statesman, fully proved that literary habits do not disqualify a person from discharging the duties of active life; he subdued the enemies that devastated the country, and forced them to seek refuge in their native forests; he administered the affairs of state with so much wisdom, temperance, and equity, that he acquired the enthusiastic love of his subjects, and richly earned the admiration of posterity. 24.  The unexpected glory obtained by Julian, awakened the jealousy of Constan’tius; he sent to demand from him a large body of forces, under the pretence that reinforcements were wanting in the East; but the soldiers refused to march, and Julian, after some affected delays, sanctioned their disobediance.  A long negociation, in which there was little sincerity on either side, preceded any hostile step; both at length began to put their armies in motion, but the horrors of civil war were averted by the timely death of Constan’tius, who fell a victim to fever, aggravated by his impatience, at a small village near Tar’sus in Cili’cia.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What was the character of Constantine the Great?

2.  Did any evil result from the employment of spies?

3.  In what manner were the sons of Constantine educated?

4.  What conspiracy was formed against part of the imperial family?

5.  Did any of the Flavian family escape from the massacre?

6.  How was the empire divided between the sons of Constantine?

7.  Who was the most formidable enemy of the empire?

8.  How did the king of Persia behave in the Arabian war?

9.  What were the chief events in the war between Sapor and Constantius? 10.  How were Sapor and Constantius forced to make peace?

11.  What was the fate of the younger Constantine?

12.  By whom was Constans dethroned?

13.  What parties embraced the cause of Vetranio?

14.  How did Constantius treat the Illyrian general?

15.  Was Magnentius deserted by any of his forces?

16.  What were the circumstances of the battle of Mursa?

17.  What important results were occasioned by this great battle?

18.  Who was the prime minister of Constantius?

19.  Whom did the emperor select as an associate?

20.  How was Gallus brought to an untimely end?