ITEM: Pendant with Constantius II coin MATERIAL: Silver and bronze CULTURE: Roman PERIOD: 4th Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 17 mm diameter CONDITION: Good condition. Original coin within a modern handmade circular silver setting. PROVENANCE: Ex Belgian private collection, acquired in the 1990s (Coin) Comes with Certificate of Authenticity. COIN DESCRIPTION: "Constantius II (337-361 AD). AE follis. Obv.: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG, pearl diademed bust right. Rev.: VOT XX MVLT XXX in wreath. Mintmark SMALA. RIC VIII Alexandria 33; Sear 18078. 15mm 1.33g" Constantius II was a Roman emperor who ruled from 337 to 361 AD. Born in 317 AD, he was the second son of Constantine the Great and his wife Fausta. He was given the title of Caesar early in his life, and upon his father's death, the empire was initially divided among him and his two brothers, Constantine II and Constans. Following a series of internal conflicts and murders, Constantius II emerged as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire by 353 AD. His reign was characterized by continuous military campaigns on the frontiers, primarily against the Sasanian Empire in the East and various Germanic tribes along the Rhine and Danube rivers. He spent a great deal of his time away from Rome, leading his armies and administrating the vast empire, often from cities like Antioch. As the first emperor to succeed a father who had legalized Christianity, Constantius II was deeply involved in religious affairs, particularly the Arian controversy. He favored the Arian position, which held that Jesus was created by the Father and was subordinate to Him, opposing the Nicene belief in the Trinity. He actively intervened in church councils and exiled bishops who supported the Nicene Creed, such as Athanasius of Alexandria. This fervent involvement exacerbated the religious divisions within the empire. Despite his religious focus, his administrative and military achievements were significant, including his efforts to secure the borders and to maintain the bureaucratic structure established by his father. However, his rule was often seen as autocratic, relying heavily on eunuchs and court officials, which sometimes led to accusations of tyranny and paranoia, particularly following the downfall of his cousin Gallus. The final years of Constantius II's reign were defined by his efforts to secure the western frontier and manage the challenge posed by his last remaining relative, his cousin Julian (later known as Julian the Apostate), whom he had appointed Caesar in Gaul. Julian achieved significant military successes against the Franks and Alemanni, leading his legions to declare him Augustus in 360 AD, setting the stage for a civil war. Constantius II, who was campaigning against the Sasanians in the East, turned his forces westward to confront Julian. However, he fell ill and died on November 3, 361 AD, near Tarsus in Cilicia, before the armies could meet. His death effectively left Julian as the undisputed emperor and marked the end of the Constantinian dynasty's direct control over the entire Roman world.