Nepotianus
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| Nepotianus | |
| Usurper of the Roman Empire | |
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| Nepotianus on a coin bearing his claimed title of Augustus |
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| Reign | 3 - 30 June 350 (in competition with Magnentius)[1] |
| Full name | Flavius Iulius Popilius Nepotianus Constantinus |
| Died | 30 June 350 |
| Place of death | Rome |
| Dynasty | Constantinian |
| Father | Virius Nepotianus |
| Mother | Eutropia |
Flavius Iulius Popilius Nepotianus Constantinus (died 30 June 350 AD)[1], commonly Nepotian, was a member of the Constantinian dynasty, and a short-lived usurper of the Roman Empire. He ruled the city of Rome for twenty-eight days, before being killed by his rival usurper Magnentius' general Marcellinus.[1]
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[edit] Background
Nepotianus was the son of Eutropia, half-sister of Emperor Constantine I,[2] and of Virius Nepotianus. On his mother's side, he was the grandson of Emperor Constantius Chlorus and Flavia Maximiana Theodora.
[edit] Events
After the revolt of Magnentius, Nepotianus proclaimed himself "emperor" and entered Rome with a band of gladiators[2] on 3 June 350.[1] After attempting to resist Nepotianus with an undisciplined force of Roman citizens, the defeated Praefectus urbi Titianus (or Anicius, or Anicetus), a supporter of Magnentius, fled the city.
Magnentius quickly dealt with this revolt[2] by sending his trusted magister officiorum Marcellinus to Rome. According to Eutropius, Nepotianus was killed in the resulting struggle (on 30 June), his head put on a lance and born around the city.[2] In the following days, his mother Eutropia was also killed, during the persecution of the supporters of Nepotianus, most of whom were senators.
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Aurelius Victor De Caesaribus 42.6, Epitome 42.3
- Zosimus, ii.59
