Italy: Icon of Magnus Decentius (-353), usurper emperor, from the book Icones imperatorvm romanorvm (Icons of Roman Emperors), Antwerp, 1645

Magnus Decentius (-353) was possibly the brother of the usurper Magnentius, who murdered Emperor Constans and revolted against Emperor Constantius II in 350. When Magnentius was busy fighting against Constantius II, he elevated Decentius to Caesar and co-emperor to aid him, ordering him to oversee the defence of Gaul and the Rhine frontier.

Magnentius was eventually defeated by Constantius at the Battle of Mons Seleucus in 353, and committed suicide by falling on his own sword. When Decentius heard of this, as he was leading reinforcements to aid his brother, he hanged himself at Senonae rather than continue fighting.

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