A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. FLAVIA VALERIA CONSTANTIA, also called CONSTANTINA, the daughter of Constantius Chlorus Caesar and his second wife, Theodora, was born after A. D. 292 and before A. D. 306, either in Gaul or Britain. She was a half-sister of Constantine the Great, who gave her in marriage in 313 to C. Valerius Licinianus Licinius Augustus, master of the East. In the civil war which broke out between Constantine and Licinius in 323, the latter was entirely defeated at Chrysopolis, now Scutari opposite Constantinople, and tied to Nicomedeia, where he was besieged by the victor. In order to save the life of her husband, who was able neither to defend the town nor to escape, Constantia went into the camp of her brother, and by her earnest entreaties obtained pardon for Licinius. Afraid, however, of new troubles, Constantine afterwards gave orders to put him to death; but this severity did not alter his friendship for his sister, whom he always treated with kindness and respect. Constantia was first an orthodox Christian, having been baptized by pope Sylvester at Rome; but she afterwards adopted the Arian creed. It appears that she was governed by an Arian priest, whose name is unknown, but who was certainly a man of great influence, for it was through him that she obtained the pardon of Arius, who had been sent into exile in 325, after his opinion had been condemned by the council at Nicaea. During the negotiations concerning the recall of Ari us, Constantia fell ill, and, being visited by her brother Constantine, besought him on her death-bed to restore Arius to liberty. She died some time afterwards, between 328 and 330. She had a son by Licinius, whose name was Flavius Licinianus Licinius Caesar. (Philostorg. 1.9; Theophan. pp. 9, 27, ed. Paris; Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 10.8; Socrat. 1.2 ; Zosim. ii. pp. 17, 28.)