MAGNETIUS (Flavus Magnus Magnentius)
- Magnentius was of barbarian origin.
- He was a senior commander under Constans.
- Early in 350 AD, while Constans was on a hunting trip to Gaul, he received word that Magnentius had revolted at Augustodunum (Autun).
- Constans fled towards Spain but was overtaken and murdered near the fortress of Helene in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
- Magnentius was recognized in Gaul, Britain, Spain, Africa, and Italy.
- He lost Illyricum to Vetranio who was acting on behalf of Constantius II.
- In Italy, he had to quell a revolt by Nepotian in 350.
- In late 350 or 351, he gave his brother, Decentius, the rank of Caesar, with responibility for the defence of Gaul.
- Magnetius then tried to re-take Illyricum but was soundly defeated at the battle of Mursa in September 351.
- Italy and Sicily fell in to Constantius in 352.
- In 353 Magnentius was defeated in Gaul and besieged in Lugdunum (Lyons).
- Accepting defeat, Magnentius killed his mother and younger brother and then committed suicide.
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