Constantius Chlorus

Roman emperor from 305 to 306

Born: November 30, 249  ·  Died: July 25, 306

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Constantius Chlorus
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Overview

Legacy

250 – 25 July 306), also called Constantius I, was a Roman emperor from 305 to 306—and was father of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome.

Legacy

The nickname "Chlorus" (Ancient Greek: Χλωρός, lit.

Who was Constantius Chlorus?

Marcus Flavius Valerius Constantius 250 – 25 July 306), also called Constantius I, was a Roman emperor from 305 to 306—and was father of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome. Around 289, he divorced Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, to marry a daughter of Emperor Maximian, and in 293 was added to the imperial college by Maximian's colleague Diocletian. Marcus Flavius Valerius Constantius, also called Constantius I, was a Roman emperor from 305 to 306—and was father of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome. As a soldier of humble origin, Constantius had a distinguished military career and rose to the top ranks of the army. Assigned to rule Gaul, Constantius defeated the usurper Carausius there and his successor Allectus in Britain, and campaigned extensively along the Rhine frontier, defeating the Alamanni and Franks.

On the reverse of this argenteus struck in Antioch under Constantius Chlorus, the tetrarchs are sacrificing to celebrate a victory against the Sarmatians.
On the reverse of this argenteus struck in Antioch under Constantius Chlorus, the tetrarchs are sacrificing to celebrate a victory against the Sarmatians.
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Historical significance

He was one of the four original members of the Tetrarchy established by Diocletian, first serving as caesar from 293 to 305 and then ruling as augustus until his death. 'the Pale') was first popularized by Byzantine-era historians and not used during the emperor's lifetime. The nickname "Chlorus" was first popularized by Byzantine-era historians and not used during the emperor's lifetime.

Portrait head of Tetrarch, most likely Constantius Chlorus.
Portrait head of Tetrarch, most likely Constantius Chlorus.
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MLA

“Constantius Chlorus.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/constantius-chlorus/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

APA

Constantius Chlorus. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/constantius-chlorus/

Chicago

“Constantius Chlorus.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/constantius-chlorus/.

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