Magnentius, commander of Constans' imperial guard, rebelled in 350 A.D. He quickly attracted the loyalty of Britannia, Gaul, and Hispania, in part because he was more tolerant towards Pagans. Control of Italia and Africa was secured through election of his men to important offices. He made his brother Decentius caesar. Constantius II, thousands of miles away fighting the Parthians in Syria, signed a hasty peace treaty ceding vast sections of territory, and marched his armies west. Magnentius advanced his armies to meet those of Constantius in the Battle of Mursa Major in 351. Magnentius led his troops into battle, while Constantius spent the day praying in a nearby church. Despite Magnentius' heroism, his troops were defeated. After a retreat into Gaul and another defeat, Magnentius committed suicide in 353.