Crispus on a coin issued to celebrate Constantine I victory over Goths in 323.

Flavius Julius Crispus, also known as Flavius Claudius Crispus and Flavius Valerius Crispus was a Caesar of the Roman Empire. He was the first-born son of Constantine I the Great by Minervina. Crispus. ... Crispus. ... Constantine. ... Invasion of the Goths: a late 19th century painting by O. Fritsche portrays the Goths as cavalrymen. ... Events July 3 - Battle of Adrianople: Constantine defeats Licinius, forcing Licinius to retreat to Byzantium. ... Julius (fem. ... The gens Claudia was one of the oldest families in ancient Rome, and for centuries its members were regularly leaders of the city and empire. ... Valerius was a Roman nomen of the gens Valerii, one of the oldest families of the city. ... Caesar (p. ... The Roman Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Ancient Roman polity in the centuries following its reorganization under the leadership of Octavian (better known as Caesar Augustus). ... Constantine. ... Minervina was the wife of Constantine the first ruler of the Byzantine empire. ...

Life account

Birth

Crispus' year and place of birth are uncertain. He is considered likely to have been born between 299 and 305 A.D. somewhere in the Eastern Roman Empire. His mother Minervina was either a concubine or a first wife to Constantine. Nothing else is known about Minervina. His father served as a hostage in the court of Eastern Roman Emperor Diocletian in Nicomedia. Thus securing the loyalty of Caesar of the Western Roman Empire Constantius Chlorus, father of Constantine and grandfather of Crispus. Events Births Deaths Categories: 299 ... Events May 1 - Diocletian and Maximian, emperors of Rome, retire from office. ... Anno Domini (Latin: In the Year of the Lord), or more completely Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi (In the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ), commonly abbreviated AD or A.D., is the designation used to number years in the dominant Christian Era in the world today. ... Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered around its capital in Constantinople. ... Concubinage is either the state of a couple living together as lovers with no obligation created by vows, legal marriage, or religious ceremony, or the state of a woman supported by a male lover who is married to, and usually living with, someone else. ... This is a list of Byzantine Emperors. ... Emperor Diocletian Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus (245-313 AD), born Diocles, was Roman Emperor from November 20, 284 to May 1, 305. ... Nicomedes I of Bithynia founded the city of Nicomedia (modern Ismid), at the head of the Gulf of Astacus (which opens on the Propontis), in 264 BC The city has ever since been one of the chief towns in this part of Asia Minor. ... The Western Roman Empire is the name given to the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian. ... On the reverse of this argenteus struck in Antioch under Constantius Chlorus, the tetrarcs are sacrificing to celebrate a victory against the Sarmatians. ...

On May 1, 305, co-reigning Augusti Diocletian and Maximian abdicated in favor of their respective Caesars: Galerius and Constantius Chlorus. Constantine was thus able to leave his virtual captivity in Nicomedia and join his father in the West. Constantius Chlorus would not rule for long. He fell sick during a campaign against the Picts and Scots. Constantius died in Eboracum of Roman Britain on July 25, 306. May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... Augustus (plural Augusti) is Latin for majestic or venerable. The greek equivalent is sebastos, or a mere grecization (by changing of the ending) augustos. ... Emperor Diocletian Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus (245-313 AD), born Diocles, was Roman Emperor from November 20, 284 to May 1, 305. ... emperor Maximian Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Herculius (c. ... Galerius on a coin Galerius Maximianus (c. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Dalriada Scots originated from Ireland, from the north of the now-called countyAntrim. ... This article is about the English city. ... Principal sites in Roman Britain Roman Britain is the term applied to that part of Britain lying within the Roman Empire (which never extended to the whole island). ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... Events July 25 - Constantine I proclaimed Roman Emperor by his troops. ...

Constantine was present at the death of his father. Said father was supposed to be succeeded by his Caesar Flavius Valerius Severus. Constantine was however proclaimed Augustus by the troops of his father. Severus was himself proclaimed an Augustus in August, 306 but was unable to take action against Constantine. A revolt in Rome proclaimed a third Western Roman Augustus on October 28, 306. Maxentius, son of Maximian, had gained the support of the Praetorian Guard and soon managed to control Italy. Flavius Valerius Severus (d. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  1290 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1... October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... Maxentius Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius, Western Roman Emperor from AD 306 to 312, was the son of Maximian, and the son-in-law of Galerius. ... The Praetorian Guard (sometimes Prætorian Guard) (in Latin: praetoriani) comprised a special force of bodyguards used by Roman emperors. ...

In 307, Maximian himself reclaimed the title of Augustus with the assistance of his son. Severus campaigned against them but was killed on September 16, 307. The Italian Augusti were however still threatened by Galerius and his Caesar Maximinus. They seeked an alliance with Constantine. Said alliance was sealed with the marriage of Constantine to Fausta, daughter of Maximian and sister of Maxentius. Events March 31 - After divorcing his wife Minerva, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Maximian. ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Events March 31 - After divorcing his wife Minerva, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Maximian. ... Maximinus denarius Gaius Valerius Galerius Maximinus (20 November 270? - July/August, 313) Roman emperor from AD 308 to 313, was originally an Illyrian shepherd named Daia. ... Fausta Flavia Maxima was the daughter of the Roman Emperor Maximianus. ...

Question of legitimacy

The marriage of Constantine to Fausta has caused modern historians to question what was the status of his relation to Minervina and Crispus. Assuming that Minervina was his legitimate wife, Constantine would need to secure a divorce before marrying Fausta. This action would require an official written order signed by Constantine himself. But no such order is mentioned by contemporary sources. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

This lack of information has led many historians to conclude that the relationship between Constantine and Minervina was informal. Assuming her to be an unofficial lover. However it should be noted that Minervina could already be deceased by 307. A widowed Constantine would need no divorce order. An intimate relationship is a interpersonal relationship where there is a great deal of physical or emotional intimacy. ... A widow is a woman whose spouse has died. ...

The true nature of the relationship between Constantine and Minervina is probably long lost in the mists of time. Also lost is the reason Crispus came under the protection of his father. The result of an illegitimate affair could have caused dynastical problems and would likely be dismissed. Crispus was however raised by his father in Gaul. This can be argued as evidence of Constantine having had a loving relationship of Minervina and thus a reason to preserve her son. Map of Gaul circa 58 BC Gaul (from Latin Gallia, c. ...

One should note that the story of Minervina was quite similar to that of Helena of Constantinople. Helena of Constantinople was the beloved first wife of Constantius Chlorus and the mother of Constantine. Constantius later had to divorce her for political reasons. Specificaly to marry Flavia Maximiana Theodora (daughter or step-daughter to Maximian, sister of Maxentius and Fausta) in order to secure his alliance with his new father-in-law. Now Constantine would have to put aside a possibly still alive Minervina in order to secure an alliance with the same man. Constantius had however not dismissed his son. Perhaps Constantine chose to follow the example of his father. Helena on a coin. ... Flavia Maximiana Theodora (known as Theodora) was the daughter or step-daughter of Maximian. ...

Education

Whatever the reason, Constantine kept Crispus at his side. Surviving sources are unanimous in declaring him a loving, trusting and protective father to his first son. Constantine even entrusted his education to Lactantius, among the most important Christian teachers of that time. Probably Lactantius started teaching Crispus before 317. There is no evidence that Lactantius managed to implant the values of Christianism to his young pupil. On the contrary it seems that Crispus was never baptised as a Christian during his lifetime. Lucius Caelius (or Caecilius?) Firmianus Lactantius was an early Christian author who wrote in Latin (around A.D. 240 - around 320). ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. ... In education, teachers are those who teach students or pupils, often a course of study or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. ... Events Jin Yuan Di succeeds Jin Min Di; end of the western and beginning of the eastern Jin Dynasty King Marian II of Iberia declares Christianity the official state religion Births February _ Constantine II, Roman Emperor Deaths Categories: 317 ... For other uses of the term Christian, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and some historic sects of Judaism. ...

Career

By 317 there were two remaining Augusti in control of the Roman Empire. Constantine reigned as an Western Roman Emperor and his brother-in-law Licinius as an Eastern Roman Emperor. Events Jin Yuan Di succeeds Jin Min Di; end of the western and beginning of the eastern Jin Dynasty King Marian II of Iberia declares Christianity the official state religion Births February _ Constantine II, Roman Emperor Deaths Categories: 317 ... The Western Roman Empire is the name given to the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian. ... Coin of Licinius For other Romans of this name, see Licinius (gens). ... This is a list of Byzantine Emperors. ...

On 1 March, 317, the two co-reigning Augusti jointly proclaimed three new Caesars. Crispus alongside his younger half-brother Constantine II and his first cousin Licinius Iunior. Constantine II was the older son of Fausta but was probably about a month old at the time of his proclamation. Thus only Crispus assumed actual duties. March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... Constantine II as caesar. ... A name suffix, in the Western naming tradition, follows a person’s full name and provides additional information about the person. ...

Constantine apparently believed in the abilities of his son and appointed Crispus as Commander of Gaul. The new Caesar soon held residence in Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier), regional capital of Germania. Trier: The Porta Nigra, viewed from outside Location of Trier Trier (French: Trèves, Spanish: Treveris) is Germanys oldest city. ... In politics a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Germania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

In January, 322 A.D., Crispus was married to a young woman called Helena. Helena bore him a son in October, 322. There is no surviving account of the name or later fate of the son. Eusebius of Caesarea reported that Constantine was proud of his son and very pleased to become a grandfather. January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 322 is also a magic number for Skull and bones secret society. ... October is the tenth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... Eusebius of Caesarea (~275 – May 30, 339) (often called Eusebius Pamphili, Eusebius [the friend] of Pamphilus) was a bishop of Caesarea in Palestine and is often referred to as the father of church history because of his work in recording the history of the early Christian church. ...

Crispus was leader to victorious military operations against the Franks and the Alamanni 318, 320 and 323 A.D. Thus securing the continued Roman presence in the areas of Gaul and Germania. He joined his father in visiting Rome during 322 and received the warmest and most enthusiastic welcome by the crowds gave Crispus. The Franks or the Frankish people were one of several west Germanic tribes who entered the late Roman Empire from Frisia as foederati and established a lasting realm (sometimes referred to as Francia) in an area that covers most of modern-day France and the region of Franconia in Germany... The Alamanni, Allemanni or Alemanni, were an alliance of warbands formed from Germanic tribes, first mentioned by Dio Cassius when they fought Caracalla in 213. ... Events Gregory the Illuminator appoints his son Aristax as successor in the Patriarchate of Armenia. ... This article is about the year 320 AD. For the aircraft, see Airbus A320. ... Events July 3 - Battle of Adrianople: Constantine defeats Licinius, forcing Licinius to retreat to Byzantium. ...

The soldiers adored him thanks to his strategic abilities and the victories to which he had led the roman legions. Perhaps more importantly, Crispus was neither a Christian nor in favour of the new religion. In contrast to his father who was certainly guilty of the later accusation and suspected for the former one. Therefore Crispus was likely seen as the secret hope of all pagans in the Western Roman Empire. A Norwegian soldier (a Corporal, armed with an MP-5) A soldier is a person who has enlisted with, or has been conscripted into, the armed forces of a sovereign country and has undergone training and received equipment to defend that country or its interests. ... The Roman legion (from the Latin legio, meaning levy) was the basic military unit of ancient Rome. ... Within a Christian context, Paganism (from Latin paganus) and Heathenry are a catch-all terms which has come to connote a broad set of spiritual/religious beliefs and practices of a natural religion (as opposed to a revealed religion based on a revealed text). ...

Crispus spent the following years assisting Constantine in the war against by then hostile Licinius. In 324 A.D., Constantine appointed Crispus as the commander of his fleet which left the port of Piraeus to confront the rival fleet of Licinius. The subsequent naval battle was fought in the waters of the Hellespont at the straits of Bosporus. The 200 ships under the command of Crispus managed to utterly beat the enemy forces which were at least double in number. Thus Crispus achieved his most important and difficult victory which further established his reputation as a brilliant soldier and general. Piraeus, or Peiraeus (Modern Greek: Πειραιά(ς) Pireá(s), Ancient Greek / Katharevousa: Πειραιεύς Pireéfs) is a city in the prefecture of Attica, Greece, located south of Athens. ... Hellespont (i. ... This article is about the strait; Bosphorus is also a university in Turkey. ... General is a military rank used by nearly every country in the world. ...

Following his navy activities, Crispus was assigned part of the legions loyal to his father. The other part was commanded by Constantine himself. Crispus led the legions assigned to him in another victorious battle against the armies of Licinius just outside Chrysopolis. After the defeat of the superior fleet of Licinius by Flavius Julius Crispus, Constantine’s eldest son, he withdrew to Bithynia, where a last stand was made; the Battle of Chrysopolis, near Chalcedon, resulted in his final submission. ...

The two victories were his contribution to the final victory of his father over Licinius. Constantine was the only Augustus left in the Empire. He honoured his son for his support and success by depicting his face in imperial coins, statues, mosaics, cameos, etc. Eusebius of Caesaria wrote for Crispus that he is "an Imperator most dear to God and in all regards comparable to his father." The Latin word imperator was a title originally roughly equivalent to commander during the period of the Roman Republic. ... The term God is capitalized in the English language as a proper noun when used to refer to a specific monotheistic concept of a Supreme Being. ...

Crispus was the most likely choice for an heir to the throne at the time. His siblings Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans were far too young and inexperienced. emperor Constantius II Constantius II, Roman Emperor ( 7 August 317 - 3 November 361, reigned 337 - 361), was the middle of the three sons of Constantine I the Great and Fausta. ... Bronze coin bearing the profile of Constans Flavius Julius Constans (AD 320 - January 18, 350), was a Roman emperor who ruled from 337 to 350. ...

Execution

In 326, Crispus was suddenly executed according to the orders of his own father in Pola, Istria. Though the decision of Constantine was certainly cruel and unexpected, historians remain more interested in the motivation leading to it. Events September 14 - Discovery of the (alleged) True Cross by Vatican City, where St. ... In user interface design, programming language design, and ergonomics, the principle (or rule) of least astonishment (or surprise) states that, when two elements of an interface conflict or are ambiguous, the behaviour should be that which will least surprise the human user or programmer at the time the conflict arises... Rovinj, on the western coast of Croatian Istria. ...

Zosimus in the 5th century and Joannes Zonaras in the 12th century both reported that Fausta, step-mother of Crispus, was extremely jealous of him. She was reportedly afraid that Constantine would put aside the sons she bore him. So, in order to get rid of Crispus, Fausta set him up. She reportedly told the young Caesar that she was in love with him and suggested an illegitimate love affair. Noble and shy Crispus denied the immoral wishes of Fausta and left the palace in a state of a shock. Then Fausta said to Constantine that Crispus had no respect for his father, since the Caesar was in love with his father's own wife. She reported to Constantine that she dismissed him after his attempt to rape her. Constantine believed her and, true to his strong personality and short temper, executed his beloved son. A few months later, Constantine reportedly found out the whole truth and then executed his wife Fausta at the end of 326 A.D. For the pope of this name see Pope Zosimus Zosimus, Greek historical writer, nourished at Constantinople during the second half of the 5th century A.D. According to Photius, he was a count, and held the office of advocate of the imperial treasury. ... // Events Romulus Augustus, Last Western Roman Emperor Rome sacked by Visigoths in 410. ... Joannes (John) Zonaras, Byzantine chronicler and theologian, flourished at Constantinople in the 12th century. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ...

This version of events has become the most widely accepted, since all other reports are even less satisfactory.

A treason against Constantine jointly plotted by Fausta and Crispus is rejected by most historians. They would have nothing to gain considering their positions as favourites of Constantine. In law, treason is the crime of disloyalty to ones nation. ...

Another version suggests that Constantine killed Crispus because as an illegitimate son, he would cause a crisis in the order of succession to the throne. However, Constantine had kept him at his side for twenty years without any such decision. Constantine also had the authority to appoint his younger, legitimate sons as his heirs. Nevertheless, Crispus' status as a legitimate or illegitimate son remains uncertain.

Some reports claimed that Constantine was envious of the success of his son and afraid of him. This seems improbable, given that Constantine had twenty years of experience at Emperor while Crispus was still a youthful Caesar. Similarily, there seems to be no evidence that Crispus had any ambitions to harm or displace his father.

So while the story of Zosimus and Zonaras seems the most believable one, there are also problems relating to their version of events.

Constantine's reaction suggest that he suspected Crispus of a crime so terrible that death was not enough. Crispus also suffered damnatio memoriae, meaning his name was never mentioned again and was deleted from all official documents and monuments. Crispus, his wife Helena and their son were never to be mentioned again in historical records. The eventual fate of Helena and her son are a mystery. Damnatio memoriae (Latin for damnation of memory, in the sense of removed from the remembrance) was a form of dishonor that could be passed by the Roman Senate upon traitors or others who brought discredit to the Roman Empire. ...

Constantine may have been eventually convinced of Crispus' innocence. But he did not restore his son's innocence and name, as he probably would have on learning of his son's innocence. Perhaps Constantine's pride or shame at having executed his son prevented him from publicly admitting having made a mistake.

Beyond doubt there was a connections between the executions of Crispus and Fausta. Both happened too close in time to be coincidental. Such agreement among different sources connecting the two deaths is extremely rare in itself. A number of modern historians have suggested that Crispus and Fausta really did have an illegitimate affair. When Constantine found out, his reaction was executing both of them. What delayed the death of Fausta may have been a pregnancy. Since the years of birth for the two known daughters of Constantine and Fausta remain unknown, one of their births may have delayed their mother's execution. A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or feti by female mammals including humans inside their bodies. ...

Mythological archetype

The story of Zosimus and Zonaras listed above is suspiciously similar to the legend of Hippolytus of Athens. Casting Crispus in the role of the youth, Constantine in the role of Theseus and Fausta in the role of Phaedra. One wonders if the legend provided inspiration for two historians attempting to resolve a historical mystery. In Greek mythology, Hippolytus was a son of Theseus and either Antiope or Hippolyte. ... The Acropolis in central Athens, one of the most important landmarks in world history. ... Theseus (Θησευς) was a legendary king of Athens, son of Aegeus (or of Poseidon). ... In Greek mythology, Phaedra was the mother of Demophon and Acamas by Theseus. ...