Constantine II was a Roman emperor who ruled from 337 to 340 CE. He was the eldest son of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, and Fausta, the daughter of Emperor Maximian. He was born in Arles, France, in 316 CE and was given the title of Caesar by his father in 317 CE.

Constantine II inherited the western part of the empire after his father’s death in 337 CE, while his brothers Constans and Constantius II took the central and eastern regions respectively. However, Constantine II was dissatisfied with his share and wanted to claim Italy and Africa from Constans. He also clashed with Constantius II over the control of the Balkans and the Danube frontier.

In 340 CE, Constantine II invaded Italy with a large army, hoping to surprise Constans who was in Dacia at the time. However, Constans had been warned of his brother’s attack and rushed back to Italy with his own troops. The two armies met near Aquileia, where Constantine II was killed in battle. His death ended his short and turbulent reign and left Constans as the sole ruler of the western empire.

Constantine II is not remembered as a great emperor, but rather as a restless and ambitious prince who failed to achieve his goals. He did not leave any lasting achievements or reforms, and his coins and inscriptions are scarce. He was also overshadowed by his father and his brothers, who had more significant roles in Roman history. Nevertheless, he was part of the Constantinian dynasty that shaped the transition from paganism to Christianity in the Roman world.