Editing Constantius Gallus (section)

== Youth ==
Gallus was born in ''[[Massa Marittima|Massa Veternensis]]'', [[Italia (Roman province)|Italia]], after his father had been recalled from exile. Gallus' father and his elder brother were amongst those killed during the purges that occurred in the imperial family after the death of Constantine I in 337. Gallus himself was one of the only imperial males – besides the three sons of Constantine I and Fausta – who were not killed; the others being Gallus' younger half-brother, Julian, and their cousin, [[Nepotianus]], each of whom was very young at the time.{{sfn|Crawford|2016|p=86}}

Gallus was said by [[Ammianus Marcellinus]] to have been very good looking, making particular note of his soft blond hair.<ref>Ammianus Marcellinus, ''Res Gestae'', 14.11.28</ref>

There is debate over where Gallus spent his youth. One view is that he lived with Julian in [[Nicomedia]] under the care of [[Eusebius of Nicomedia|bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia]] until 340. At that point, Eusebius was made [[bishop of Constantinople]], which necessitated Gallus and Julian following him there. It is believed that, after the death of Eusebius in 341, Constantius then sent Gallus and Julian to continue their studies at the imperial household in Macellum, [[Cappadocia]]. An alternative view claims that hints in the sources suggest that Gallus was sent to [[Ephesus]] to study, then to a type of exile in [[Tralles]] and from there to the imperial household in Macellum.{{sfn|Crawford|2016|p=86}}
[[File:CONSTANTIUS GALLUS - RIC VIII 31 - 2330467.jpg|thumb|''[[Follis]]'' of Constantius Gallus, showing the emperor crowned by [[Victoria (mythology)|Victory]] and holding a ''[[vexillum]]'' with a ''[[chi-rho]]'', inscribed:{{Break}}{{Smallcaps|hoc signo victor eris}}

("''by'' ''his sign shall you be victor"'')]]