Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (1.1882-1883)

60 inscriptions of assos.

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" Caelius Montius, the most illustrious proconsul of Asia, [/W
erected this statue qf~\ Flavius Julius Constantius, the founder of the
city, the greatest conqueror and trophy-bearer, forever Augustus.

By decree of the Senate and People."

Constantius II., Flavius Julius, was emperor from 337 to 361 a.d.
It is interesting that he is called ktlutt]^ -riys 7roA.eo)s, but the special
occasion to which the title refers will probably never be known. With
Caelius Montius another is added to the list of proconsuls of Asia
(see Waddington, Pastes des Provinces Asiatiques de /'Empire
Romaiii). Very little is known of Caelius Montius, except that he
was murdered by Callus Caesar, the cousin of Constantius.

Constantius, before his departure on his expedition against Mag-
nentius, had appointed his cousin, Gallus Caesar, commander-in-chief
of the eastern army, which was operating against the Persians. Upon
the return of Constantius to Constantinople from his victorious cam-
paign in the west, he found that Gallus Caesar had been guilty of
maladministration, and two commissioners, Domitianus (praefectus
praetorio Orientis, see Notitia dignitatum, chap. II.) and Caelius
Montius (quaestor palatii, see Notitia dignitatum, chap. XII.), were
sent to Antioch, the residence of Gallus Caesar, to make inquiries
concerning his conduct of affairs. These commissioners were in-
structed to ensnare him with diplomatic craft and intrigue ; but so far
from acting prudently, they behaved with such arrogance and haughti-
ness towards Gallus that he became enraged at the insults thus offered
to an imperial prince, and so excited the soldiery and populace
against the commissioners that they were forthwith put to death.